Here are eight things you should know about Manchester United and Arsenal prior to their midday kick-off tomorrow:
1. Manchester United were part of one of the season’s most dramatic games in their 3-2 win over Chelsea in their last Premier League encounter. Robin van Persie was again at the heart of United’s attack, forcing a David Luiz own goal and scoring from an Antonio Valencia cross before substitute Javier Hernandez continued his goal scoring form with a late winner.
2. Van Persie remains joint top scorer with Newcastle’s Demba Ba, having netted seven goals in nine appearances so far this season, from 23 shots at goal with 48% on target. That means just over 30% of Van Persie’s shots have resulted in goals this season, an impressive return.
3. Hernandez’s return from limited opportunities is equally impressive. Chicarito has two goals in the Premier League so far this season, having had just seven shots at goal with four of those on target.
4. A largely uneventful fixture against QPR in Arsenal’s last Premier League game was lifted by a Mikel Arteta goal and the return of Jack Wilshere.
5. Arteta’s goal was his first in the Premier League this season, as the Spaniard has concentrated on supplying team-mates over going for goal himself. Arteta has had just eight shots at goal with four on target so far this season.
6. In contrast no other midfielder in the league has had more shots on goal than Santi Carzola. Carzola has had 33 shots at goal with 58% on target and two goals in return.
7. Another of Arsenal’s talented midfielders, Aaron Ramsey, put in a shift of 6.86 miles against QPR, the second highest distance covered by an Arsenal player in a single game this season (after Ramsey’s 7.01 miles against Man City).
8. Arsenal have the most frugal defence in the league, having conceded just six goals in nine games. Per Mertesacker has been at the heart of that and has lost out on just one of the 13 tackles he has attempted, the best return of any player to attempt ten or more tackles.
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