Come Sunday, Arsenal take on Manchester United at the Emirates in a match that has huge implications on the race for the Top 4. By then, Manchester City and Liverpool will have already played their games for the weekend, increasing the likelihood that they will pick up points and put further pressure on both these teams.
While Wenger is desperate to continue his unblemished record of qualifying for the Champions League in his time as Arsenal manager, Mourinho has an added incentive other than the points involved – his imperious record in competitive matches against Arsene Wenger.
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Both teams have impressive squads – squads that could have been expected to put up a title challenge at the start of the season. Although their title challenges have petered out, both the teams stand a chance of ending the campaign on a positive note.
For Wenger, it could be a third FA Cup in four years; for Mourinho, it could be a European trophy in his debut season. But a strong finish in the league remains important for both the managers, though Wenger, of course, has more at stake.
Here are 5 players who will have a definitive say in the Arsenal vs Manchester United match:
#1 Alexis Sanchez
A player who will have a say in any match, Sanchez has been the key man for Arsenal ever since his arrival in 2014. Having been experimented at centre forward position in the opening weeks of the campaign, Wenger's recent attempt at 3-4-3 has moved Sanchez back to the attacking midfielder position, where he remains no less dangerous.
Granted freedom to roam in a similar system and similar position as Eden Hazard at Chelsea, Sanchez could be the key to unlocking one of Europe's tightest defences.
Michael Carrick could struggle to keep up with the dynamism of Sanchez and would regularly require help from his wingbacks to keep him in check.
#2 Ander Herrera
Herrera has been one of the league's best midfielders this season. With more interceptions to his name (80) than PFA player of the year N'Golo Kante (79), the Spaniard is invaluable to a Manchester United midfield crying out for dynamism.
His marking out of Eden Hazard in the league clash against Chelsea caught the attention, but Herrera has been quietly brilliant all season. “He knows that he is having a phenomenal season for us,” Mourinho said back in December.
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In Arsenal's new formation, he will be directly matching up against Sanchez and Ozil. Marking the duo will be a tricky task; but Herrera has proven his mettle in important clashes against Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool. His defensive nous and positioning could be key to keeping out Arsenal; but just as important, it could be key to the licence Pogba gets to run the game from midfield.
#3 Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Arsenal's player of the month for April, Ox's Man of the Match performance was decisive in Arsenal's victory against Manchester City at Wembley. Pinning Clichy in his own half, the Englishman provided more crosses (8) than any other Arsenal player, including the one that set up Nacho Monreal's equaliser.
“I feel that this wingback role has suited him well,” Wenger said recently. “First of all, he can use well his power. And it suits him well because he is facing the game when he gets the ball. I think he looks to be comfortable when he is running at people and when he has the ball at his feet.”
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That was a good way to sum up Ox's increasingly influential performances as a wingback in Arsenal's latest 3-4-3 system.
With Luke Shaw's injury, United's option at left back is likely to be Matteo Darmian or a makeshift left back in Ashley Young. Either way, Shaw's injury means that Ox will have opportunities to raid the flank with his pace and power. Darmian will require help from the winger ahead of him – and whether Mourinho picks Martial or Lingard for that role will have a huge role to play in the result.
#4 Marcus Rashford
Having secured a vital advantage for United in their away tie against Celta Vigo with a superb free kick, Rashford returns to Premier League duty in sublime form. Although controversially, it was Rashford who won the penalty against Swansea as well. Rashford has had a hand in all the European goals Manchester United have scored since the quarter-final stage.
It has been a timely step up in the absence of Ibrahimovic. Against Arsenal's three-man defence, Rashford's impact in occupying the centre-backs will determine how much space the players around him will have.
It was just over a year ago that an untested Marcus Rashford burst into the scene with two goals and an assist against Arsenal. He has come a long way since then; Arsenal defenders will probably know better this time around.
#5 Paul Pogba
Pogba's debut season has seen him quietly develop into one of the league's best midfielders. Trailing only Azpilicueta in the number of passes made this season, Pogba has been frustrated by a lack of fortune.
He has hit the woodwork six times in the league. More pertinently, his brilliance has been masked by the inability of his teammates to convert most of the exquisite chances he creates. Make no mistake, Pogba is a crucial player for Manchester United – and the toothlessness of their attack against Manchester City and Swansea in his absence was evident.
But that hasn't kept his detractors quiet. To truly announce his arrival in the league, Pogba needs to grab a clash against a top rival by the scruff of its neck and change the course of the game. Such a performance has eluded him till date, but if he pulls it off against Wenger's Arsenal, it would endear him to his manager like nothing else could.
Granit Xhaka can be quite reckless, Aaron Ramsey quite adventurous – if Arsenal don't play their cards right, Pogba could be in for a comfortable patrol in midfield.
