Wenger one of world’s best coaches: Van Gaal

But the 29-year-old confesses he finds the Premier League dogfight tougher than ever, thanks to the strength in depth across all 20 clubs.

“It’s the first maybe massive game for the top of the table, it’s at home and you want to win it”, says Wenger.

“If you play offensive football and you lose everybody kills you”, said Wenger. Manchester United have the joint best defensive record in the league. Now you must keep on until the end.

“There are no easy games.”Rooney maintained”.

That loss was the Gunners’ second in as many games in Europe, and with back-to-back matches against Bayern Munich to come; the club are facing an embarrassing early exit from the tournament.

Arsenal have quite a few players out with injury for this one. We cant fail to take defending seriously and hope that opponents will dutifully wilt in the face of our artistic attacking prowess.

“But I think you always need to change”.

Former Arsenal attacker Merson seems to rate the 30-year-old France worldwide defender highly.

Wenger made the controversial decision to start David Ospina against the Greek side but Petr Cech should return between Arsenal posts against United.

For the Gunners, they have won three of their last four league games and have only lost twice in the EPL so far. There was interest but I am happy to be where I am now’.

When United arrive at the Emirates in front of the Sky Sports cameras there is no doubting the Arsenal team will have a point to prove, not just to those watching in the ground but also to those viewing from their sofas too.

France worldwide Martial sealed a £36m move from the Ligue 1 side to Old Trafford on transfer deadline day – which came as a surprise to long-term admirer Wenger, who had tracked the youngster since his days at Lyon.

Winger Young was brought on to replace Antonio Valencia at right-back during United’s victory over Wolfsburg, and Van Gaal said: “He is very important”.

While Arsene Wenger continued to show signs of strain, Louis van Gaal cut an increasingly confident figure in the rival camp. The England centre-half was drawn out of position leaving a gaping hole which the German’s exploited. So the circumstances are not so good.

“I do feel we are improving”, United midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin said. That’s all there is to say about that one.

“I think that he is doing great work”.

Daley Blind has insisted that Manchester United are desperate to avoid a defeat ahead of the global break.

Chelsea gets a chance again at their home Stamford Bridge this weekend to secure a win over Southampton.

The odds presented by BetVictor for a draw – 12/5 – are excellent, particularly as both sides will go into the game evenly-matched.