An early touch for Phil Jones to hoover up a stray pass up the park, nicely dealt with, no signs of rust. 

The ball clatters around in the middle before Michael Carrick gets his foot on it, Juan Mata launches a decent cross in for Wayne Rooney, but he can't direct the header on target.

We are under way!

Wenger and Mourinho exchange the briefest of hand clasps and go their separate ways. Maybe it is peace at last.

Kick-off is moments away.

Image source, Reuters

If he was he was waiting in vain... 

The teams file out in the north London sunshine. 

Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho will meet on the sidelines.

Wayne Rooney at the front of the Manchester United row. Arsenal now come in to join ranks beside them.

Jose Mourinho, standing at the back, leaning by the door, directs a mischievous wink in the direction of the camera.

Is he waiting for Arsene Wenger?

Liverpool's 0-0 draw at home to Southampton means Manchester United would finish above them and in the top four if they win each of their remaining games. 

For Arsenal, it's still out of their hands - even with three games in hand on the Reds.

Image source, .

Loser92: Hard to see any other outcome at the Emirates than a comfortable win for the Gunners with the line-up United have put out.

Briyan: Arsenal missing out on top 4 place is a none issue. Let them get a season free of Bayern drubbing once in a while.

Arsenal

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger: "The problem before [the north London derby] was that the clarity was if we won all our games, we had a good chance of being in the top four. Now, even winning the games doesn't guarantee us that. It's not in our hands. That's all we have to achieve.

"More than focusing on the fact it is Manchester United, a big club and a big rivalry over the years, what is important is to have the chance to achieve our target. We have no choice, we have to beat them."

Jay: Mourinho playing the long con - let Wenger win to improve the chance of him continuing at Arsenal and keeping them mediocre. 

Charles Meyrick: A few backwater European games, and a thrashing at Barca or Bayern? Can't say I'll mind too much if Arsenal do miss out on fourth. 

Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho have met 16 times - in 15 competitive fixtures.

Wenger has come out on top just the once. 

That was when Arsenal beat Chelsea in the Community Shield in 2015.

Does that really count?

Image source, Getty Images

It's a pretty glorious day for football in north London; sunshine and finely cut grass. Almost as good as the local bowling green we used to sneak onto during lunchtime at school, which was definitely wrong and we were punished accordingly. 

The ground is beginning to fill up and both sides are out warming up.

Image source, Getty Images

Lauren
Former Arsenal defender on BBC Radio 5 live

Arsene Wenger, in our time, would have six, seven or eight players fighting for him. But nowadays, in the last few years, there aren't as many players fighting for him in the squad.  

Arsenal are having a difficult time. Manchester United look much better. I saw their game against Celta Vigo and I think the squad is more solid and I think it will be difficult for Arsenal to get to that fourth position.

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Wyndham Hacket Pain: It is great to see how Arsene Wenger has single handedly rejuvenated this country's sign making industry.

John Davies: Liverpool need not worry. United will probably draw today, AGAIN! 2 games in hand is 2 points for them, City will finish 3rd though.

Liverpool and Southampton have just played out a very dull goalless draw. 

Apart from Fraser Forster's penalty save from James Milner and his injury-time stop to deny Marko Grujic that is.

You can catch up on that one over here.

What does it mean for the table? And the race for the top four?

Image source, .

Lauren
Former Arsenal defender on BBC Radio 5 live

Arsenal must keep hold of Alexis Sanchez. For the whole season he's been unbelievable. Since he's arrived at the club, he's been playing regularly and maintaining a consistent level. 

They haven't got another player like him.   

What about Alexis Sanchez? Another with a big question mark next to his name. 

According to the Sunday Telegraph, external, Bayern Munich are in for him in a big way.

The paper says Carlo Ancelotti's lot are happy to pay £55m for the Chilean, who would slot in quite nicely in front of compatriot Arturo Vidal.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, .

What does the future hold for Rooney? Will he get another chance to score against Arsenal in Manchester United's red?

Arsenal make two changes to the side that lost 2-0 to Tottenham last Sunday.

Gabriel and Olivier Giroud make way for Danny Welbeck and Rob Holding. 

Arsene Wenger sticks with three at the back.

Image source, .

Only Matteo Darmian, Ander Herrera and Henrikh Mkhitaryan remain from the Manchester United side that beat Celta Vigo 1-0 in Thursday's Europa League semi-final first leg.

There are eight changes from that line-up, with Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford, Daley Blind and Jesse Lingard among dropping to the bench.

Axel Tuanzebe, 19, makes his Premier League debut at right-back.

Image source, .

Mark Lawrenson
BBC football expert

I thought Arsenal had a bit of momentum until last weekend's north London derby, when defeat showed their problems have not really gone away.

Arsenal will be up for this game, but it will not be easy because Manchester United's injury list looks shorter right now. I don't think there will be much in it.

Prediction: 1-1

Lawro's full predictions v indie rock band Kasabian