Arsenal vs. Manchester United: Ranking the 3 Best Players in This Contest

Regardless of the result, Sunday's English Premier League clash between Arsenal and Manchester United will be a star-studded affair. Both squads are loaded with world-class talent, much of which will be on display on the pitch at the Emirates Stadium for legions of football fans, affiliated or not, to enjoy.

But who, among all the big names set to feature, is the best of the best right now?

3. Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney may be the most popular player to suit up for Sunday's affair, but he isn't in the best form for his club, let alone when looking at both.

Not that Wazza is all that far off.

True, Rooney leads Sir Alex Ferguson's side in scoring with 13 goals in EPL competitions, including a hat trick in Man U's 8-2 trouncing of the Gunners back in August.

But his prolific scoring has come in rather violent fits and spurts. Rooney registered nine goals in his first five outings, then went eight appearances without a goal, then notched four over his next three and now is in the midst of a three-fixture dry spell.

Still, Rooney ranks as one of the elite strikers in the world, and with 12 career goals against Arsenal, will once again be a threat to find the net in North London. 

2. Nani

It's tough to say who is more fortunate—Nani, for having great goal scorers like Rooney, Chicharito, Dimitar Berbatov and Danny Welbeck to pass to; or that fine collection of forwards, for having a dynamic winger like Nani who finds them time and again.

Nani has arguably been United's best and most consistent player this season, accumulating six goals and eight assists while standing tall amidst a midfield that seems to grow thinner by the match, if not by the minute.

The 25-year-old Portugal international has had his fair share of success against the Gunners, chipping in two goals and four assists in six career appearances against Arsene Wenger's side. Don't be surprised if he registers on the stat sheet again while carrying Fergie's attack.

1. Robin van Persie

And you were expecting someone other than Robin van Persie to top this list?

No one player has done more for his club this season than RVP has done for Arsenal. Simply put, van Persie is the Arsenal attack. Injuries and transfers have rocked the Gunners' ability to score since the summer, leaving the lion's share of the responsibility for their success (and, at times, their failure) on van Persie's fragile foot.

He's adapted remarkably well to his recent ascent to the Arsenal captaincy, accounting for an EPL-best 18 goals with another six assists to boot.

Without van Persie, the Gunners are likely languishing somewhere in the middle of the league table, if not lower, while Le Professeur conducts another miserly perusal through the transfer market. With him, they're within earshot of another top-four finish.

RVP? How about MVP?

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