Manchester United vs Arsenal: Three key battles that could decide the clash at Old Trafford

It has been a strange, stop-start debut year at Manchester United for Romelu Lukaku but one that is ending with hint of promise. The Belgian has five in his last nine league outings and appears to have shaken off the ‘flat track bully’ that followed him in the earlier part of the season.

A goal against Chelsea in March was welcomed and though another did not follow against Liverpool, Lukaku was crucial in how United set up to beat Jürgen Klopp’s side that day.

The visit of Arsenal – the runt of the ‘top six’ litter – provides him with an opportunity to pad those stats out a little further and though he did not notch in December’s reverse fixture at the Emirates, Lukaku should be buoyed by the visitors’ abysmal away record this season.

Shkodran Mustafi is likely to be one of the two centre-halves in his way and will have to improve aerially if he is to effectively limit Lukaku. The 26-year-old enjoys a duel but only wins around two-thirds of the time in the air, while the top flight’s best win around three-quarters.

Jack Wilshere’s performance was one of the few positives for Arsenal on Thursday night as they surrendered a slender lead to draw 1-1 with Atletico Madrid in their Europa League semi-final tie.

With much now to do at the Wanda Metropolitano, Wenger is likely to rest key players at Old Trafford, but Wilshere could be retained after an encouraging display. The 26-year-old has a point to prove too, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s unfortunate injury re-opening the possibility of a place at the World Cup.

It is a while since Wilshere had a signature performance against a member of the Premier League’s top six, though his goal in the 2-2 draw with Chelsea at the turn of the year was memorable.

In his way will be Nemanja Matic. The Serb has proved capable when up against playmakers with the nimble feet of Wilshere but sometimes struggles when surrounded by pace. If the likes of Alex Iwobi and a returning Danny Welbeck can help discombobulate Matic, Wilshere may find some joy.

United’s excellent defensive record this season should not go unnoticed. With four matches of their league season remaining, Jose Mourinho’s side have conceded 26 goals – only one more than the league’s tightest backline at Manchester City.

However, those who watch United regularly will recognise that that record owes much to David de Gea. United’s defence gives up an ample number of good quality chances and their world class goalkeeper is often the one to bail them out.

Elite goalkeeping can often be bested by elite forward play and in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Arsenal finally appear to have an elite player leading the line.

The 29-year-old may not be a long-term solution but scored five in four Premier League appearances before being shunted out to the left to accommodate Alexandre Lacazette. Aubameyang should return up top and could punish a defence that is often not as solid as it seems.