ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE: PLAGUED MAN UTD FACE TOUGH TRIP to ARSENAL
Man Utd boss Louis Van Gaal might have to call up teenagers McNair (C) and Thorpe to keep Welbeck at bay
What you need to know:
Leaders Chelsea host West Brom earlier on Saturday looking to extend their four-point lead on second-placed Southampton, who visit Aston Villa on Monday
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal will delve into the depths of his squad for the visit to Arsenal today, as an injury crisis engulfs Old Trafford.
So often it has been Arsene Wenger cursing his luck after key players have been crocked ahead of big matches but this time it is United who could be missing up to 12 squad players, including defender Daley Blind, at the Emirates Stadium. United are exposed at the back, and with four first-team defenders possibly missing, Dutchman Van Gaal might have to call up teenagers Patrick McNair and Tyler Blackett to keep former team mate Danny Welbeck at bay.
England striker Welbeck has been in fine form since his 16 million pounds ($25.06 million) move to Arsenal in September, scoring 10 goals for club and country.
Arsenal suffered two disappointing results before the international break, letting leads slip to draw 3-3 at home to Anderlecht in the Champions League and going down 2-1 at Swansea City in the league.
“We have two games against Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund at home and if we get the crowd with us from the start, and get the results, then it will be a very different story again,” Arsenal captain Mikel Arteta said. Arsenal are currently sixth in the table with 17 points; United a place behind with one point fewer.
Leaders Chelsea host West Brom earlier on Saturday looking to extend their four-point lead on second-placed Southampton, who visit Aston Villa on Monday.
