Arsenal vs. Manchester United: 5 Struggling Gunners Who Must Deliver

Arsenal entertain Manchester United on Sunday in a monumental encounter with huge implications for the prospects of both teams. The Gunners desperately need maximum points to keep their faltering top-four challenge alive.

Inevitably the fixture has evoked painful reminders of the last time Arsene Wenger's team met United. It is a testament to the remarkable turnaround Wenger was able to engineer, that Arsenal's 8-2 thrashing at Old Trafford hasn't loomed larger over the Gunners season.

But consecutive away defeats in the league have sparked a similar level of scrutiny, criticism and doubt to the one that engulfed Arsenal prior to their last meeting with Sir Alex Ferguson's men.

Certain Arsenal first-team regulars and squad players have disappointed in recent games and have become the targets for frustrated fans fearful of a slide into mid-table mediocrity.

Wenger's team once again has to prove to themselves and their own fans that they still belong amongst the Premier League's elite and are capable of pushing for honours. The best form of proof would be victory over the defending champions.

Here are five Arsenal players who will need to improve their game and deliver big performances if the Gunners are to have any hope of toppling United.

5. Per Mertesacker

Rangy German international Per Mertesacker has struggled mightily attempting to adapt to the fast pace and physical rigours of the Premier League. The former Werder Bremen skipper has yet to master how to make his natural instincts and anticipation work best for him in England's top flight.

Mertesacker continues to try hard and has sometimes been unfairly victimised and labelled as the sole and chief culprit of Arsenal's defensive calamities.

But Mertesacker still needs to accelerate his learning curve because Arsenal will need him at his best against the Red Devils. Mertesacker's timing and precision in the challenge will need to be faultless against regular Gunners tormentor Wayne Rooney.

Mertesacker has coped well against Rooney on the international stage, but the United forward truly has the knack for finding the net against Arsenal. Mertesacker will need to use his savvy and experience to track Rooney's movement and ensure he is decisive in any one-on-one situations.

4. Aaron Ramsey

Aaron Ramsey needs to rebound from his worst performance in an Arsenal shirt. The 21-year-old was abysmal against Swansea City. He made numerous mistakes in defensive areas and frequently slowed the pace of the game when he was in possession.

Ramsey is capable of much better and can take confidence in the fact that he netted the winner the last time United visited the Emirates Stadium. Ramsey was superb on that day as he helped control the flow of the game with a tenacious and inventive midfield display.

But the Welsh youngster has appeared over-burdened with the responsibility of trying to replace Cesc Fabregas this season. The tragedy is that Arsenal cannot afford to wait for Ramsey to put it all together. The Gunners need him to quickly mature into their most effective and prolific playmaker.

Wenger can take some solace in the fact that Ramsey has often produced his best performances for the club in the biggest games. He will need to show that same mentality this Sunday, in order to wrestle control of the game away from veteran schemer Paul Scholes.

If Ramsey can exert an influence in the attacking third, then he can play an integral role in supplying Arsenal's front three with scoring opportunities.

3. Theo Walcott

Theo Walcott has recently reverted to the kind of indecision and inconsistency that has plagued his career development at Arsenal. The England speedster should provide a matchup nightmare for United, but he has rarely ever taken advantage of the space left by the buccaneering Patrice Evra.

Walcott needs to stay direct and attack the United back line early and often. The threat of his pace can nullify much of the danger posed by the Red Devils on the counter attack.

But Walcott has to venture off the wing and make the runs to provide Arsenal with the right kind of outlet. He cannot coast through another game simply waiting for the ball to come to him.

2. Andrey Arshavin

Andrey Arshavin owes Arsenal a performance, and there is no better game for him to deliver. Despite his questionable temperament and lack of effort, the Russian has the quickness, intelligence and trickery to undermine the United defense.

His creativity and speed of thought can be devastating if given the room to be applied properly. Arsenal need to tweak their system to better compensate for when Arshavin wanders off the wing. He does his best work in central areas, and regardless of where he begins the game, Arshavin should be granted a free role.

But Arshavin can only justify his fellow squad members filling in for him and picking up the slack, if he is producing what he does best. More end product will signal that the Russian is finally back on form. That means he must provide more deft assists and rein more long-range efforts in on the United goal.

Given the champions' struggles between the sticks this season, Arshavin's technical daring in the attacking third could be Arsenal's best route to a breakthrough.

1. Wojciech Szczesny

Arsenal's cocky young goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has shown signs of frailty recently. The confident Polish youth was badly at fault for both goals conceded against Fulham and was extremely rash in the build up to Swansea City's winner.

Szczesny needs to quickly rediscover his finest form, as he will likely be often called into action against United. The 21-year-old is an extremely capable shot stopper, with an intimidating presence in one-on-one situations.

Szczesny needs to show that he can be commanding when crosses and shots from distance are guided towards him. He has the potential to be one of the finest 'keepers in the game for years to come.

But Szczesny cannot afford to rest on his laurels. He must show the same hunger and dynamism that contributed to such a stunningly successful loan spell with Brentford, during the 2009-10 campaign.

Szczesny made his full Arsenal debut and quickly claimed the starting position with a spectacular display against United in December 2010. More of the same will be needed this Sunday.

Arsenal Must Match United for Effort or Suffer the Consequences

Whatever anyone may think about Manchester United, few teams in world football work as hard as the Red Devils. It's the reason why they score so many late goals and have dominated the English game for so long.

Matching United for effort has to be the Gunners' top priority. It's a lack of effort that led to that unforgettable scoreline at Old Trafford. This particular United team is in no way six goals better than Arsenal. They aren't even six goals better than the teams at the foot of the league table.

That's not intended as a slight to United. But it is an indictment of how this Arsenal side could be casual and sloppy enough to concede eight goals to a United team that doesn't come close to comparing to many of the title-winning juggernauts of the past.

Showing determination and commitment has not exactly been Arsenal's strong suit during their trophy drought. But if the Gunners repeat this familiar failing on Sunday, they can expect to look up and see scoreboard reading similar to the one they saw at Old Trafford back in late August.