Wenger: Jose won’t be defensive
– Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger (right) is not expecting Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho to set his team up defensively when the sides clash tomorrow despite his reputation for “parking the bus” in big matches.
United travel to the Emirates Stadium sitting second in the Premier League and on the back of a 4-2 win at Watford in midweek.
But Mourinho has yet to win away against a fellow “big six” side since taking charge, with seven games at Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham yielding just three points and one goal.
Wenger does not believe Mourinho, renowned for his defensive tactics in such matches, will only be eyeing a clean sheet.
Arsenal welcome United having won their previous three Premier League games to move into the Premier League top four.
Victory in the north London derby at home to Tottenham was followed up with a last-gasp win at Burnley before Huddersfield were dispatched 5-0 at the Emirates on Wednesday.
That was a 12th successive home win as Alexandre Lacazette, Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Oezil all got on the scoresheet while Olivier Giroud hit a brace.
It was not all positives for Wenger, however, as Lacazette was substituted at half-time with a groin injury, while Sanchez was also replaced late on after feeling his hamstring.
Wenger expects Sanchez to be fit to face United, but said club-record signing Lacazette will “certainly be out”. – AFP