Wenger has seen it all at the Theatre of Dreams over the years; from winning the Premier League title at the ground in 2002 to a bizarre sending off in 2009 to an 8-2 humiliation in 2011.
It would be a fitting send off for the Frenchman if his Arsenal side can produce a victory on Sunday but that seems highly unlikely.
Man United were 2-1 winners against Spurs last weekend in their FA Cup semi-final tie at Wembley. Alexis Sanchez and Ander Herrera scored to earn the Red Devils a Cup final date against Chelsea next month.
Regardless of Sunday’s result, United look certain to finish runners-up this season, behind already-crowned local rivals Man City.
Arsenal remain 6th in the table following last weekend’s 4-1 win over WestHam. Nacho Monreal opened the scoring for the Gunners before a late flurry of goals from Aaron Ramsey and Alexandre Lacazette (2).
Lacazette was on the scoresheet again on Thursday night, giving Arsenal the lead in their Europa League semi-final first leg. An error at the back from Laurent Koscielny led to a late Atletico Madrid equaliser. The second leg of that semi-final takes place in Madrid on Thursday.
Arsenal begin the weekend with the 8th worst away record in the division, winning just 3 of their 16 matches. No side has conceded fewer goals at home than Man United (8) this season.
Manchester United won 3-1 at the Emirates in December’s reverse fixture.
Antonio Valencia and Jesse Lingard had United 2-0 up early on before Alexandre Lacazette pulled one back for the Gunners.
Lingard restored United’s 2-0 goal lead just after the hour mark before Paul Pogba received his marching orders.
Man United team news:
Jose Mourinho has confirmed that Jesse Lingard and Antonio Valencia have shaken off minor Achilles and calf knocks respectively.
Backup goalkeeper Sergio Romero is United’s only injury absentee.
Alexis Sanchez is set to face his former club for the first time since joining Man United in January.
Arsenal team news:
Mohamed Elneny remains sidelined with an ankle injury picked up last weekend. The Egyptian has an outside chance of playing in the Gunners’ final game of the season.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan is likely to recover from a knee injury and take a place on the substitute’s bench.
Santi Cazorla returned to light training prior to Arsenal’s Europa League match on the Thursday but will only resume full training in a couple of weeks.
With the return leg in Madrid to come on Thursday, Arsene Wenger has rested a number of key players including Mesut Ozil. Danny Welbeck is set to face his former club.
prediction:
With a European semi-final second leg on the horizon next week, there could be a temptation for Arsene Wenger to preserve his star players this weekend.
Predicted score: Man Utd 2 Arsenal 1
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