Gunners fired up for United
THE next chapter in one of the Premier League’s most volatile managerial rivalries will be written this weekend when Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal visit Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United.
Sparks often fly when the pair are obliged to share a touchline, typified by a notorious shoving match during a Chelsea-Arsenal fixture at Stamford Bridge two years ago.
Wenger has never beaten Mourinho in the league and has been branded a “specialist in failure” by his Portuguese nemesis but, with Arsenal six points above United, he currently has the upper hand.
“You know, we didn’t lose always,” Wenger said when asked about his record against Mourinho on Thursday.
“We have beaten them and there were many draws as well.
“I can understand that people want to create controversy, but it’s not that that makes the audience.”
Wenger intends to make a late check on the fitness of Alexis Sanchez, who is not due to report back from international duty with Chile until yesterday.
Sanchez scored twice for Chile in a 3-1 World Cup qualifying win over Uruguay on Tuesday, despite Wenger warning beforehand it would be “suicidal” for him to play due to a hamstring problem.
Arsenal will be definitely be without rightback Hector Bellerin and central midfielder Santi Cazorla, who have ankle and Achilles problems respectively.
But Wenger’s selection problems pale by comparison beside Mourinho’s, amid reports the United manager could be without up to seven first-team players.
With today’s game taking place at lunchtime, victory for Arsenal would lift Wenger’s side to the top of the standings and leave United a yawning nine points off the pace.
Liverpool, the current leaders, visit Southampton later today.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have won seven and drawn two of their last nine league games, culminating in a 6-1 demolition of Watford.
Antonio Conte’s Chelsea, a point behind Liverpool in second place, visit Middlesbrough tomorrow, while Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, a point further back in third, travel to Crystal Palace.
Bottom club Sunderland host third-bottom Hull City today, while Swansea’s new head coach Bob Bradley goes in search of his first win at Everton. Fixtures: Today: Crystal Palace v Manchester City, Manchester United v Arsenal, Southampton v Liverpool, Tottenham v West Ham, Watford v Leicester, Everton v Swansea, Stoke v Bournemouth, Sunderland v Hull Tomorrow: Middlesbrough v Chelsea Monday: West Brom v Burnley — AFP