Manchester United – Arsenal

1. What a mouth-watering clash we have in prospect this afternoon. Manchester United v Arsenal always promises plenty and last season's 8-2 victory for United will live long in the memory of both clubs, for the opposite reasons. The home side will go top with a win today, while a victory for Arsenal will see them narrow the gap behind United to just three points.

2. Man United team to play Arsenal: De Gea, Rafael, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Cleverley, Young, Rooney, Van Persie. Subs: Lindegaard, Wootton, Anderson, Scholes, Nani, Powell, Hernandez.

3. Arsenal team to play Manchester United: Mannone, Sagna, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Santos, Arteta, Wilshere, Ramsey, Cazorla, Podolski, Giroud. Subs: Martinez, Jenkinson, Koscielny, Coquelin, Arshavin, Walcott, Chamakh.

4. So Sir Alex Ferguson keeps faith in the team that started in their 3-2 league victory at Chelsea last weekend.

5. While Arsene Wenger picks the same side that started in their 1-0 league win against QPR.

6. <a href="http://espnfc.com/uk/en/preview/345753/preview.html?soccernet=true&cc=5739">If you've got a few minutes to spare before kick-off then why not check out our preview of the big game.</a>

7. Here's an interesting fact for you... Arsenal have not won at Old Trafford since September 2006, when Emmanuel Adebayor scored the only goal. Since then they have suffered seven defeats and one draw in all competitions.

8. This will be the 48th meeting in all competitions between Ferguson and Wenger. Ferguson leads by 21 wins to 15.

9. Van Persie is hugging his old team-mates with a rather large smile on his face.

10. The two sides are coming out of the tunnel now. We're moments away from kick-off.

11. And we're off...

12. 1'

    Despite losing possession straight away. Arsenal are passing it around nicely here.

13. 1'

    Wilshere looks up for it. Does his best to try to stop Valencia in the middle of the park.

14. 2'

    Young finds some space down the left and crosses the ball from a dangerous position, however it is deflected straight to Mannone.

15. 3'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL FOR MAN UNITED. VAN PERSIE.</b>

16. 3'

    Would you beleive it? Van Persie scores against his old club. Rafael crosses a tame delviery into the box but Vermaelen fails to deal with it and can only knock it into the path of the Dutch man who hits it from the edge of the area right into the bottom corner. Mannone no chance.

17. 5'

    A terrible start to the game for the Gunners. Vermaelen continues his less than perfect start to the season.

18. 5'

    You feel that goal is only going to do the world of good for Van Persie. Dangerous for Arsenal.

19. 6'

    Arsenal giving the ball away cheaply when they get it at the moment. Look nervous.

20. 6'

    Lovely touch from Valencia to find Young, who is brought down by Arteta.

21. 7'

    Santos was out of position down the left for the goal by the way, allowing Rafael to find the space.

22. 8'

    Arsenal try to get a move going but Wilshere misplaces a pass.

23. 9'

    Carrick brings down Cazorla for a free kick.

24. 9'

    So United take the lead in a game again. They're getting quite good at that now.

25. 10'

    This is a better spell for Arsenal as they pass it around nicely outside the box. Sagna sends in a cross which is then headed away. Santos sends it well wide first time from outside the area.

26. 11'

    Giroud gives the ball away with an over-ambitious pass.

27. 12'

    It's Vermaelen's turn to overhit a pass. Over the top and straight to De Gea.

28. 13'

    Ramsey tries his best to knock it past a man down the right and catch after it but his speed lets him down.

29. 14'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Wilshere is booked for a late challenge on Cleverley.

30. 15'

    A sign of Wilshere's eagerness to get into the game there.

31. 16'

    Carrick tries to pick out Valencia with a ball over the top but Santos is there to deal with it.

32. 16'

    Arsenal starting to build but Santos gets tackled cheaply.

33. 17'

    Seems to be a pattern here. The away side starting to threaten but a little laziness stops them in their tracks.

34. 17'

    Van Persie ruled offside.

35. 18'

    A Mannone kick puts Arsenal in trouble as Young eventually drills a ball into the box from the left. Mertesacker clears.

36. 19'

    United get another ball into the box as Valencia searches for Van Perise. Arsenal head clear.

37. 20'

    United definitely looking much more of a threat in the final third than the away side.

38. 21'

    Santos jumps into a challenge on Valencia but misses his man. Luckily for him Valencia's cross-field ball falls short of a United shirt.

39. 22'

    Mannone denies Van Persie with a decent save after Rooney picks him out with a ball that carves open the Arsenal defence. The Gunners handed away possession to allow them the chance.

40. 22'

    Rafael again finds him self in space down the right but his cross is dealt with. United pour forward again to win the corner.

41. 23'

    Headed clear.

42. 23'

    After just twenty-odd minutes Santos has already been caught out of position a few too many times.

43. 24'

    Arsenal come close through Ramsey. A lovely ball over the top picks out the Welshman down the right. Ramsey drives into the box and drills a low ball in trying to pick out Giroud but De Gea is there to turn it away from danger.

44. 25'

    Encouraging for Arsenal there.

45. 26'

    Cazorla drives forward for Arsenal but is stopped in his tracks by Rafael. United counter and Rooney sends a ball into the box but the opposition defence clear. The away side get the ball up the other end of the pitch but a misplaced Podolski pass concedes possession.

46. 28'

    United threaten again. Mannone pulls off a great save to deny a Rooney effort, following a fine pass from Carrick. The Italian is then called into action again as he saves a tame header from Van Persie.

47. 29'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Young goes into the book for a late tackle on Sagna.

48. 29'

    Arsenal's defence really caught out for that United chance. They haven't looked the most solid back there. While going forward the Gunners continue to give the ball away cheaply.

49. 30'

    United look comfortable.

50. 31'

    Santos tries to send a cross in from deep but it falls straight into De Gea's arms.

51. 31'

    Wenger will be hoping for the likes of Wilshere and Cazorla to get a stronger hold on this game.

52. 32'

    Wilshere is dispossessed by Carrick. United start to break down the left but Evra is ruled offside.

53. 33'

    Giroud tries to fire in a cross from the left but it was never causing United any problems.

54. 34'

    United break as Van Persie wins a header to pick out Cleverley in space down the right. He tries to pick out Rooney in the middle but Mertesacker does well to head clear.

55. 36'

    Santos again was vacant from his left back position there, allowing Cleverley the space to run in on goal.

56. 36'

    Giroud is trying his best to create for Arsenal, dropping into positions all over the attacking third to pick up the ball.

57. 37'

    Arsenal have Sagna to thank for intercepting a Rooney pass that was destined for Van Persie. The Dutchman would have been in on goal there.

58. 37'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Yellow for Cleverley as he goes in late on Cazorla.

59. 38'

    Arsenal work the ball around nicely and Giroud wins the corner off Cleverley.

60. 39'

    Cazorla whips it in to the unmarked Giroud whose header falls some way off target. Should have done much better after losing Ferdinand.

61. 40'

    Cazorla drives forward and tries to pick out the run of Podolski in the box but he overhits it completely.

62. 41'

    United look like they haven't really broken any sweat. Not looking threatened at all when Arsenal are on the ball.

63. 42'

    Not for the first time Arsenal are forced to pass the ball all the way back to Mannone.

64. 42'

    Cazorla picks out Ramsey wonderfully. The Welshman plays it back to Sagna who tries to complete the one-two with a searching pass but just underhits it. Unlucky.

65. 43'

    Giroud's touch lets him down and he concedes possesson.

66. 44'

    United break with Young but his ball into the box is dealt with comfortably.

67. 44'

    Rooney tries to pick out Cleverley in the box but Mertesacker slices his clearance out for a corner.

68. 45'

    Penalty for United. Cazorla handballs as Young tries to whip a ball in.

69. 45'

    Rooney steps up...

70. 45'

    And Rooney misses. He drags it to the left and it clips the post and bounces wide.

71. 45'

    A massive let-off for Arsenal there.

72. 45'

    Arteta nearly plays his team into danger with a terrible touch but Santos is there to the rescue for Arsenal.

73. 45'

    Fans chanting for Theo Walcott. Wenger must be thinking about bringing him on soon.

74. 45'

    And there goes the half time whistle. A massive let-off for Arsenal with that missed penalty from Rooney. A perfect start for United as Van Persie opened the scoring early on. The home side look very comfortable and as if they have plenty more gears left in them. Arsenal have struggled in the final third and would have found coming back from a 2-0 deficit a huge task. They need to improve. An exciting second half awaits.

75. 45'

    And United kick off the second half...

76. 46'

    No sign of Walcott then...

77. 46'

    Vermaelen nearly at fault for another United goal. He carelessly gives it away to Van Persie on the edge of the box, who then drives forward and picks out Valencia but the winger fails to get a touch on what would have been a definite goal.

78. 48'

    Another huge let-off for Arsenal. They're dicing with death at the moment.

79. 48'

    United heap the pressure on again. Young waltzes past Mertesacker before sending a dangerous ball across goal. It falls to Rafael on the edge of the box but his shot is blocked. It then falls to Carrick whose shot sails just wide.

80. 50'

    Arsenal's turn to come close. Giroud finds himself in space down the left but nobody is waiting in the middle of the box as he sends a dangerous ball across the face of goal.

81. 51'

    A good response from Arsenal just as it started to look they were completely crumbling.

82. 51'

    Arsenal push forward as Ramsey tries to pick out Giroud in the box but United head clear.

83. 52'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Walcott comes on for Ramsey.

84. 52'

    What can Walcott create then? He wil surely give Evra more food for thought down that right wing.

85. 53'

    Walcott is stopped by Evans as he makes his first touch.

86. 54'

    Giroud with a chance for Arsenal. Cazorla picks out the Frenchman in the box, following some nice play from the away side. Giroud turns and fires a shot in at goal from a tight angle but it hits the post.

87. 55'

    Arsenal looking far more menacing now.

88. 55'

    Wilshere brings down Van Persie in a fairly dangerous position for United.

89. 56'

    Arsenal playing some lovely stuff. Cazorla picks out Santos in space down the left with an inch-perfect pass but the Brazilian fluffs his lines and his cross goes off for a goal kick.

90. 57'

    Walcott helped start that move, beating a man in his trademark style.

91. 58'

    Arsenal living on the edge as United are stopped for a Van Persie handball in the box, just as it looked like the Dutchman was about to pull the trigger.

92. 59'

    The game is really coming to life now. End-to-end stuff, rather than the more patient approach both sides were taking in the first half.

93. 60'

    Walcott sends in a free-kick but it is headed clear.

94. 60'

    Arsenal let off once again. United break after an a mistake from the away side but Carrick just fails to pick out Valencia who would have been away.

95. 60'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Van Persie with a very late challenge on Sagna.

96. 60'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Anderson comes on for Cleverley.

97. 62'

    Evans is there to clear Podolski's ball into the box. The Northern Irishman has had a decent game so far.

98. 62'

    Mertescker picks out Walcott but the winger runs into a brick wall.

99. 63'

    Anderson almost picks out Young with a delightful ball over the top. Unlucky from the substitute.

100. 64'

     Wilshere sends in a dangerous free-kick from out wide which seems to evade everyone, including Vermaelen at the far post.

101. 66'

     Huge save from Mannone. Young picks out Van Persie in the box as the Arsenal defence try to play the offside trap. One-on-one Mannone manages to tip the strike wide.

102. 66'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL FOR UNITED. EVRA.</b>

103. 67'

     A short corner is played out to Rooney, who proceeds to pick out Evra in the box with a fine cross. The Frenchman rises highest to head home.

104. 68'

     All United now. Valencia is played into space down the right before pulling it back to Anderson who fires it over from the edge of the box.

105. 69'

     Valencia is having so much joy down that right-hand side against Santos.

106. 69'

     In regards to Evra's goal, Arsenal should have done far better to prevent him from getting to the header first.

107. 70'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/red_card.jpg" height="15">Wilshere picks up his second yellow for a late challenge on Evra.

108. 70'

     Arsenal are in real trouble now. It will require a massive ask to come from two down with ten men.

109. 71'

     Rooney breezes past Santos again and pulls it back to Rooney but his shot is fired into an Arsenal defender.

110. 72'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Anderson goes into the book for a late tackle on Arteta.

111. 72'

     Arsenal seem to be running out of answers at the moment. Starting to play how they did in the first half.

112. 74'

     Just as Arsenal look like they might create something Santos gives it away so cheaply and then concedes the foul. Poor.

113. 75'

     United now with a lengthy spell of possession. Frustrating for Arsenal.

114. 76'

     Cazorla intercepts a poor Carrick pass however and picks out Walcott in the box but the winger can only blaze over for Arsenal. That was a chance.

115. 77'

     Van Persie finds the back of the net for the second time but is ruled offside after Rooney does well to pick him out in the box.

116. 78'

     Arsenal push forward in search of a goal but a poor Sagna ball in towards Giroud sees them concede possession once again.

117. 80'

     United have another goal ruled out for offside as Anderson taps it into the net. Carrick plays in Van Persie who then plays it across the box to the offside Brazilian.

118. 81'

     United made it look very easy there though.

119. 81'

     And still United threaten...

120. 81'

     Walcott breaks their move down and sprints towards goal but is brought to the ground.

121. 81'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Rooney booked for fouling Walcott.

122. 81'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Arshavin on for Podolski.

123. 81'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Nani on for Valencia.

124. 82'

     Santos will be pleased to see the back of Valenica, that is for sure.

125. 83'

     Arsenal really need something now if they are to get anywhere near to a comeback.

126. 83'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Arshavin booked for bringing down Rafael. He's only just come on.

127. 84'

     Mertesacker is there to head away a United delivery with Van Persie ready to pounce.

128. 85'

     Anderson tries to pick out Van Persie with a deft pass but Mannone is there first to avert the danger.

129. 86'

     Anderson breezes past Arteta with ease and tries to pick out Nani but Mannone is there first once again.

130. 87'

     United with all the possession at the minute. Doesn't look like there's a way back for Arsenal at all. Regardless of what happened at Reading.

131. 88'

     Giroud tries to fire in a long-range effort but it canons off a defender and away.

132. 88'

     Arsenal somehow manage to rescue the ball away to safety after a United corner flies across the goalmouth.

133. 90'

     Arshavin and Santos try to work a move down the left but eventually give the ball away.

134. 90'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Arteta goes into the book for a raised arm on Van Persie.

135. 90'

     Four minutes of injury time to be played. There's more likely to be another goal for United than Arsenal getting on the scoresheet.

136. 90'

     Van Persie with the chance to play in Rooney but the pair have their wires crossed.

137. 90'

     Giroud with a chance for Arsenal but De Gea is there to block his effort following the ball in from the left.

138. 90'

     Arsenal try to work a late move but Cazorla loses possession.

139. 90'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL FOR ARSENAL. CAZORLA.</b>

140. 90'

     Cazorla bends in a delightful effort into the top corner leaving De Gea no chance. Too little too late though.

141. 90'

     And there goes the full-time whistle. It's all over.

142. 90'

     A poor performance from Arsenal really. Lucky not to be two down at half time, they failed to show enough bite to threaten a comeback. Credit to them, they had their best spell just after the break but the second goal and the sending off meant things were all over with 25 minutes to go. A solid and confident performance from the home side. Ferguson will be very pleased.

143. 90'

     The win puts United top of the table for now as they go two points ahead of Chelsea. But the Blues have a chance to regain their top spot when they take on Swansea this afternoon. Arsenal meanwhile, now lie nine points behind United.

144. 90'

     <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/live/_/id/1212139/matchday-live---november-3?cc=5739">Remember you can follow all the rest of today's action with Matchday Live. See you next time.</a>

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