MAN UTD OUT TO PUT A SPANNER IN ARSENAL’S WORKS

SUNDAY’S Premier League blockbuster between log-leaders Arsenal and a resurgent Manchester United has the big-game feeling of years gone by.

The Gunners look like they are seriously challenging for the title they last won in 2003-04, while United are looking to restore some pride after appointing former player Michael Carrick as interim coach.

Carrick took a helse step towards that goal when he steered the Red Devils to a morale-boosting 2-0 Manchester derby win over City last weekend in his first game in charge since replacing Ruben Amorim.

Klapping the old foe and denting the Gunners’ title chances at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday at 6.30pm, will see United fans from Old Trafford to Athlone tel twee duime op vir hom.

But with a seven-point gap between themselves and City and Aston Villa in second and third, with United a further eight points behind in fifth, the Gunners have a mission of their own.

And after smashing Inter Milan 3-1 to book their place in the Champions League last 16 earlier this week, midfielder-cum-striker Mikel Merino said: “It’s the aim, it’s the goal to win every game, now we have an amazing game in front of our fans, at home against Man United. But, yeah, we’re focused on winning every game – it doesn’t matter which competition, which rival, it’s just about making Arsenal fans proud, and yeah, let’s go for it again.”