Managers give latest injury updates ahead of Arsenal-Manchester United clash

Speculation is rife as to which players will be fielded by the two managers on Saturday

Manchester United travel to Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium this weekend in a high-profile clash in the English Premier League. Gone are the days however when the two would compete for a place at the top of the table, the stakes in this match are more modestly a place in the top four. After 11 matches, Arsenal are on 6th spot with 17 points and Manchester United a spot below with 16.

With a lot of players missing from action on both sides, there is a lot of speculation also on which 22 players will take the pitch on Saturday. Louis van Gaal cut an optimistic picture in a press conference on Thursday, while Arsene Wenger had a bombshell or two to drop during his banter-filled Friday press conference.

Di Maria and De Gea to feature; Luke Shaw out

There were fears surrounding the duration of the injury lay-off suffered by Daley Blind, but Van Gaal gave assurances that the situation was not as grim as initially feared.

“He has a brace on his knee. It's not as bad as the doctors thought after the match, but it shall be a long story I believe, but not six months or so.”

However, the United boss had a positive picture to paint on the injuries picked up by his players in the recent international break, but affirmed that Luke Shaw might not be available on Saturday.

“Di Maria has trained today normally so I don't think there is a question mark, De Gea is good - no problem. Luke Shaw, who felt a tight hamstring, is a question mark."

Michael Carrick will be brought in to play a defensive role in Van Gaal’s team, given that the midfielder passes a late fitness test. The makeshift defender in United ranks suffered a groin problem while with the England squad for the European Qualifier against Slovenia.

Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo, Jonny Evans, Rafael and Radamel Falcao continue to be indisposed, and will most likely not be pushed back into the fray immediately.

“(The injured) players are not coming back in the squad - that's a different thing. My philosophy is that you have to train at least one week with the squad, but better two.”

We feel strong at home: Wenger

Arsene Wenger announced that both Mikel Arteta and Olivier Giroud were back and available for selection for Arsenal. On the other hand, both Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck have question marks around their availability.

“The surgery went well and there were no setbacks,” Wenger said of Giroud. “He is very solid and has a positive mentality – that helps.”

“Everyone has come back in decent shape(from the international break). We have to check in with some players this morning, so we have lots to check today."

“I don’t think he (Walcott) will be available tomorrow (and Welbeck’s) fitness will depend on the medical assessment this morning.”

Wenger had praise for Welbeck, saying he did not have enough of a chance at his old club, as well as the man in form, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. “He's growing every game. It's good for him to score(in the England-Scotland clash this week). The quality of his run was intelligent".

Arsenal have a poor record against the so-called big four of late, failing to step up the gas when it matters most. But Wenger is proud of the Gunners' enviable home record and is confident about coming out on top over their traditional rivals.

"We've had many draws. There's no block there. We feel strong at home and we have had a good record in the last 25 games"

Lionel Messi’s future has been under fierce speculation in recent weeks, and Wenger confirmed that he had once made an effort to sign the Argentine mastermind too.

"It's true, it's just that he didn't want to move. In the end, he was comfortable at Barcelona.”