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Arsenal
just have one thing to do today at the Emirates – restore some pride in
their fans ahead of another assault on titles next season. But their
visitors today, Manchester United, are not in the job of handing out
any favours and will be desirous of beating the Gunners again as they
did so majestically last season. The Mancunians are in search of a
double with a final appearance at the showpiece UEFA Champions League
at Wembley almost guaranteed.

Arsenal can set a marker

There will be
arguments on end, that if it were Alex Ferguson that was handling this
very talented Arsenal side, maybe they could have become champions but
that will always be a matter of conjecture. This United side has not
set the heart racing with dreamy football and even though they do not
possess a fiery character in the mould of Roy Keane, the will of the
manager has pushed his team to the brink of achieving objectives that
were almost thought impossible at the start of the season.

Now Arsenal must
try and copy that template and they cannot afford to wait till next
season. If they hope to have a better next season, then their fans and
the board must see a pointer towards that today.

Last season, Wayne
Rooney led United in a compelling counter-attacking demolition of the
Gunners in February which effectively ended the Gunners’ title charge.
The third United goal left the stadium stunned as United turned defence
into attack, with Rooney sprinting from just outside his own area to
take a return pass from Park and finish in style – the move took about
23 seconds.

Belgian
centre-back, Thomas Vermaelen has returned to full training and
successfully went through 90 minutes in Arsenal’s reserve match against
Manchester United though he might not be considered to start today’s
match.

Vermaelen has
missed the last eight months with an Achilles injury – but looks set to
play again before the end of the season and it was Belgian’s first
piece of action for almost eight months. Ferguson also had some good
news after he watched Darren Fletcher play the first 45 minutes at Old
Trafford after been struck down with a debilitating virus which made
him lose some weight.

United looking at the future

With Schalke’s
visiting Old Trafford on Wednesday for the second leg of the Champions
League semifinal, some changes are expected to the Red Devils line-up.
Park Ji Sung, Ryan Giggs, Rio Ferdinand may be rested while Danny
Gibson, Anderson and Chris Smalling should return but whatever players
are wearing the United jersey today, you can expect them to give their
all. If United win today, then the 19th English league title will
almost be in the bag.

Other fixtures

The relegation
battle continues in three venues today, likewise the challenge of one
of the slots of the Champions League. There is a six-pointer at St.
Andrews as Wolves come visiting Birmingham who need a victory to move
them a step closer to safety while Wolves are running out of games to
save their season. Birmingham sit uncomfortably in 15th position with
38 points while Wolves are second bottom with 33 points.

Liverpool still have an eye on that fourth spot and another three
points today will move them closer to Tottenham who sit fifth on the
table. West Ham may be hammered at the Eastlands today as they face a
confident City team who are now in the hunt for third place. Though
there is still a mathematical chance for the Hammers to escape
relegation for the sixth time, they will need to be at their best to
get anything from Roberto Mancini’s men.