The Gilberto Factor

Arsenal have scored 43 goals this season in the league and seven of them have come from Gilberto Silva. The 'invisible wall' is match decider. He currently ranks third in the teams top scorer's table and has shown great character as a leader in Henry's abscence . Many will recall the 2004/5 season as probably the worst season for Arsenal when the 'invisible wall' suffered an injury just after an unbeaten 2003/4 season of consistent football. Sunday's game at the Emirates stadium may hinge on the lack of his prescence in that game too.

Despite being unbeaten at the Emirates, there have been some really close encounters and more than once the Brazilian has saved the day. Not just by ensuring the defence sticks together but also going forward to assist in attack and during Sunday's game against Manchester United, the gunners will definately miss his solidity in midfield. His abscence will leave Fabregas, Rosicky and Flamini (the probable 3 central midfielders in a 5 man midfield) with their work cut out. Despite not netting in the league this season, Fabregas has had a hand in 10 goals so far and United will single him out as the greatest threat.

United on the other hand have had not only the most successful defence, but also the most successful attack this season. This can be attributed to a strong midfield with Christiano Ronaldo contributing 13 of their 52 goals in the league so far and assisting in another 6. Ronaldo is not the only major contributor: The pairing of Michael Carrick with Paul Scholes has had some handsome results especially in protecting the back 4. Considering that Arsenal's Lehman has had to make 102 saves while conceeding 18, Van der Sar has only had a hand in 86 and conceeded 16.

On the frontline, it will be difficult for Arsenal to tell where United's goals will come from, this season, their goals are spread closely across Rooney, Ronaldo and Saha. If he has a hand, Giggs or Park Ji Sung and Henrik Larsson will also be something Arsenal will have to think about.

With Van Persie a doubt, the safest bet for Wenger will be to attack. He will avoid as many shots as possible hence keep the ball in United's half for as long as it takes. Moving the battle to midfield and prefering an attack to a siege would take United's back four by suprise and probably gift them a couple of set pieces. Vidic has collected 5 yellow cards while Scholes has had 6 between themselves they have comitted 50 of the 232 fouls so far with Rooney and Carrick comitting an equally huge share. Fabregas will be a prime target, the skillful lad has suffered 40 fouls so far. It's where and when he falls that could be decisive in this game.

My Verdict: 1-2
Arsenal to dominate the game and score from a setpiece, United to score from the box and from a counter attack.