Arsenal vs Manchester United: Injuries Will Derail Gunners Against Red Devils

Arsenal would be wise to stock the Emirates Stadium with antiseptic rinse ahead of Sunday's monumental English Premier League clash with Manchester United.

That is, unless the Gunners would prefer to leave their supporters with yet another bad taste in their mouths. The one lingering from the embarrassing 8-2 travesty at Old Trafford back in August isn't likely to go anywhere amidst Arsenal's ongoing woes on the pitch and in the training room.

According to Mirror Football, Thierry Henry, whom Arsene Wenger was planning to pair with Robin van Persie up front, is "no better than 50-50" to feature at all on Sunday, much less make the starting XI. The 34-year-old once-and-former Arsenal talisman strained his calf in training on Tuesday and may need to rest as a result.

And if that weren't bad enough, the Gunners may also be without midfielder Mikel Arteta and center-back Thomas Vermaelen, also on account of injury. These, on top of the continued absences of Andre Santos, Carl Jenkinson, Kieran Gibbs, Jack Wilshere and Bacary Sagna.

It's hardly an ideal situation for Le Professeur, whose side was similarly threadbare the last time these two powerhouses met on the pitch.

Granted, Sir Alex Ferguson isn't exactly without his own fitness concerns, either. His midfield is similarly depleted, with Tom Cleverley, Darren Fletcher and Ashley Young all on the mend at some point or another, while the likes of Danny Welbeck, Anderson, Nemanja Vidic, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling have all struggled to stay fit.

So, on the whole, Arsenal wouldn't appear to be at too great a disadvantage, at least when it comes to those on the first-team squad who are fit to play.

Then again, the Gunners haven't exactly shown much of late to inspire confidence in their ability to avenge the six-goal drubbing in question. They've dropped their last two EPL matches (to Fulham and Swansea) and needed a miraculous goal by Henry to top lowly Leeds United in FA Cup play.

And that's not even to mention a slim 1-0 victory over QPR or a 1-1 draw with Wolves just prior.

In other words, Arsenal aren't exactly on a good run of form, with or without their walking wounded. They'll have to hope that Man U are similarly strapped by knocks on Sunday.

Otherwise, Listerine figures to make a pretty penny off the legions of disgusted Gooners roaming through North London shortly after the match.

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