United visits Arsenal back in familiar position

United visits Arsenal back in familiar position

AP

For the first time in 110 weeks, Manchester United enters a Premier League game as the leader and a trip to Arsenal tomorrow is the perfect platform for Louis van Gaal's side to justify and fortify its spot at the summit.

United swept to five wins in its six September fixtures in all competitions and came from behind to edge Wolfsburg in the Champions League on Wednesday.

"I do feel we are improving," United midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin said. "At the start of the season people were talking about good results and not very good performances.

"In the last few weeks I don't hear this anymore, they don't complain about the style of play or anything and that is because we have improved."

At Arsenal, though, it's a familiar tale of early-season torment. Arsenal is only three points adrift of United in fourth place but two straight group-stage losses in the Champions League have left Arsene Wenger's team in danger of missing out on the lucrative knockout phase.

"When we play like we did (on Tuesday against Olympiakos), with that lack of concentration and discipline, then we have got no chance," defender Per Mertesacker said. "(Today's game) will be a good opportunity to come back to the Emirates and play our football with possession and dynamism."