Arsenal v Man Utd: Red Devils to punish depleted Gunners

Arsenal will have a major point to prove after being humiliated 8-2 at Old Trafford earlier in the season, but the fact they are depleted in defence could result in another heavy defeat being suffered against Manchester United.

The big blow is that Thomas Vermaelen is unlikely to feature as he has still not proved his fitness, while Bacary Sagna, Andre Santos and Kieran Gibbs are all definitely out.

This means that rookie defender Ignasi Miquel will continue to deputise at left-back and he could be given the same torrid time that was suffered by Armand Traore earlier in the campaign in the same position.

Throw in that Mikel Arteta and Jack Wilshere also remain sidelined and Arsenal are short of their top creative players in the centre of the midfield.

Therefore, Manchester United’s odds of 6/4 to triumph at The Emirates look too good to refuse, especially as Arsenal have also lost their last two Premier League fixtures.

Manchester United may have been beaten in three of their last five visits to Arsenal in the Premier League, but have lost just one of their last nine encounters with the Gunners in all competitions.

However, Manchester United have looked slightly careless of late, gifting some decent chances to Bolton at Old Trafford recently and almost throwing away a three-goal lead to ten-man Manchester City in the FA Cup.

This may give Arsenal some belief that they can triumph and a home win is available at 7/4, while the draw can be backed at 9/4.

Wayne Rooney has scored six goals in as many games with Arsenal in all competitions and he could be the villain of Arsene Wenger again.

Rooney is 5/1 to open the scoring and 6/4 to strike at any time in the 90 minutes.