(Manchester united News)
Arsenal broke a nine-year trophy drought by winning the FA Cup last season, and with the Gunners trailing to Monaco in the Champions League after a tough first leg, the holders might see this competition as their best chance of scooping some silverware this term.
Arsene Wenger’s side have had one scare on their way to the quarter-finals, scraping past Brighton & Hove Albion 3-2 in the fourth round. The Sussex side severely tested the Londoners, but ultimately goals from Theo Walcott and Mesut Ozil, plus Tomas Rosicky’s superb volley, saw them through.
In the third round, the Gunners beat Hull City 2-0 at home in a rematch of last season’s final, with Per Mertesacker and Alexis Sanchez scoring; in the fifth round a brace of Olivier Giroud strikes overcame Middlesbrough 2-0 at the Emirates.
Arsenal have a poor recent record against United. It’s eight games since they defeated the Reds, back in May 2011. United have won five of the last seven meetings, including the 8-2 humiliation back in August 2011. Louis van Gaal also prevailed in his debut Barclays Premier League managerial meet with Wenger back in November. The 2-1 result was United’s first away victory under the new boss, with Wayne Rooney and a Kieran Gibbs own goal doing the damage.
Arsenal’s record at Old Trafford is underwhelming. They haven’t defeated United on their own patch since September 2006 – and have lost eight of their last nine visits. The Gunners are, however, currently on an impressive run. They’ve won three straight Premier League fixtures, and have only been beaten twice domestically in 2015, by
