Arsenal vs. Manchester United: Biggest Weaknesses on Each Squad

Manchester United travel to Emirates Stadium on Sunday to battle Arsenal.

With serious table implications, you can be sure this will be a fantastic match. In order to secure three points, each team must take advantage of their opponent's biggest weaknesses.

Arsenal are the team with more glaring weaknesses.

The defense has been in shambles, and the left-back position has seemingly been a death trap. Thomas Vermaelen seems unlikely to play, but his return would strengthen that position. The Gunners hope it's soon.

Otherwise, matches could look like last week's defeat at Swansea City. Arsenal couldn't defend the Swans passing, and they ended up falling 3-2.

If they defend like that against United, this could turn into an 8-2 destruction pretty quickly.

Arsenal's other biggest weakness is their inability to score.

Rather, their other biggest weakness is players not named Robin Van Persie and their inability to score. Van Persie has been the best player in England this season, but he's practically alone.

In their last 16 home league matches, the Gunners have only scored 20 goals. If they hope to defeat United with only one goal, they have another thing coming.

The return of Thierry Henry should help the attack, but he needs to get the ball in order to finish. Same for Van Persie.

The midfielders will need to play well to get them the ball. If Aaron Ramsey plays well, Arsenal should be fine. If he plays like he did against Swansea City, the Gunners will have a long Sunday.

Arsenal have played extremely well defensively at home (six goals conceded in 10 matches), but United provide a pretty big problem. As a result, the Gunners will have to attack well in order to secure three points.

As for United, they don't have as many glaring weaknesses.

For some reason, United do not seem as organized as they have in the past. After losing 6-1 to Manchester City in October, Sir Alex Ferguson called for more clean sheets.

Since then, United have eight clean sheets in 12 matches. However, in that time, they have scored multiple goals in only six matches, including in an embarrassing 3-2 defeat to Blackburn.

Ferguson wanted United to defend more. Since then, they have clogged the midfield and defended extremely well. However, their attack has left much to be desired.

In their last seven matches, United have scored 21 goals, so maybe they've recommitted to the attack. Or, was it just a quick phase?

I don't think anyone knows what United's identity is and that's the biggest problem. That's why they lost to Blackburn at home, and that's why they were destroyed by Newcastle United the next week. United don't know their identity and it has been a crisis as of late.

I'm not about to question Ferguson, for the man is a genius. I am, however, going to point out that it would behoove United to attack Arsenal.

The Gunners don't have a secure defense, and United have the firepower to embarrass their opponents. The players want to attack, but Ferguson seems to be holding them back. This clash of style vs. personnel could come back to haunt the Red Devils.

To beat Arsenal, United ought to play direct. If they go right after the Gunners defense, namely Ignasi Miguel, United should come away with three points. If they don't turn this into a high-scoring match, they risk losing to a late Van Persie or Henry strike.

Arsenal's biggest weaknesses are their inability to defend (especially on the left side) and an inability to score. Man U need to turn this into a high-scoring match by exposing each of those weaknesses.

Unfortunately, United's biggest issue is an identity crisis, and they may choose to sit back and clog the midfield. United are the deeper, more talented team. They simply need to take advantage of it.

That's what this match will come down to: Arsenal trying to hide their weakness vs. United unsure of their tactics. Whoever wins that battle will win the match.