Alan Shearer
Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

Arsenal got back to winning ways at Chelsea after a disappointing run, but they put in a fantastic performance. [Eddie] Nketiah came alive, he's had chances, been out on loan, it hasn't really worked for him. He's out of contract in the summer, there was a lot of talk that Arsenal wanted a centre forward in January and weren't able to get [Dusan] Vlahovic. There is no doubt they'll be in for a big hitter somewhere, but he's got a chance.

He's got to carry on, but if he doesn't he'll be looking for a new club. You need a run, but there is a reason it hasn't worked. We've all realised there is something there; the doubt is whether there enough to play for a top six club.

There have been a few tunnel incidents between these two clubs in the past. None of that today, though, just a lot of 'come on boys!' and other encouragements. It's a big, old game is this.

We're almost ready to get the show on the road...

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Charlene Smith,@char_smith_presenter, external

A big game and a really big win for us.

The team went out and played with their hearts. We had a few sloppy passes but overall it really felt like we were fighting for that top-four spot.

Mikel Arteta got it right with the line-up, making bold decisions to bring in the likes of Mohamed Elneny and Rob Holding and all the players proved their worth.

Arteta also gave Eddie Nketiah the minutes he has been asking for and I can only say a big congratulations to him for that outstanding performance. I am super proud and happy. Getting those two goals at Stamford Bridge is a massive confidence boost, which he deserves.

It was also a special moment to see our star boy Bukayo Saka step up and take the penalty. It was his first since the Euros shootout - a bold and confident move from him.

Well done to the whole team. We can go into the Manchester United game in high spirits.

The top four is back on.

There will be a few eyes on Eddie Nketiah this lunchtime following his star showing in the 4-2 win at Chelsea.

The forward has had to bide his time at the Emirates, waiting in the wings for the chance to shine in the first team.

Mikel Arteta admitted after the game at Stamford Bridge that he had been "unfair" on the striker and that he should have been playing him more. You suspect he'll be getting a fair few minutes between now and the end of the season, though.

Question is, with his contract up in the summer, will he be at Arsenal next season? Unsurprisingly, a host of other Premier League clubs are keen on him - with Brighton, Crystal Palace and West Ham all reported in the press.

Pat McLaughlin,Just Arsenal, external

The Saturday lunchtime game is a real six-pointer with Arsenal hosting Manchester United in the race for the top four.

A week ago, most pundits would have given United a big chance to take the points but, after seeing Liverpool destroy them in midweek and Arsenal incredibly scoring four against Chelsea, surely the Gunners will now be favourites to take an advantage into the Champions League race.

United may have won the reverse fixture back in December, but that was their first win over Arsenal in six meetings, and in fact United have failed to score in their last three visits to Emirates Stadium. Even without the midweek results, Arsenal would have the psychological advantage over the Reds and I expect them to win in style.

Mikel Arteta has finally found his solutions to cope with being without Kieran Tierney, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Thomas Partey, and with the Gunners being famous for going on a winning run towards the end of the season I can see history repeating itself.

Hopefully, the top-four bid will come down to a nail-biting north London derby in a few weeks’ time - once we have got over the little hurdle tomorrow.

This could be an exciting end to the season for Arsenal, something we haven't had for a few years.

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Mikel Arteta says he shares the board's goal of getting the club "back to the highest level" - but it's not something that happens overnight.

"We don’t have at the moment five world-class players who will hide the issues of the club," said Arteta.

"What we do have is people who are so connected in the same direction. They have the same ambition.

"We’re always going to compare the team to the past and our goal is to get the club back to the highest level.

"The potential of individuals and the collective of this team in the future is much better. In terms of the quality, experience and delivery.

"I just try to do my job as best as possible and I am really enjoying what I’m doing now."

Speaking to the media about the task Erik ten Hag has ahead of him at Manchester United, Arteta added: "Normally when you have to make that many decisions and changes, it's tough and it’s pretty difficult for a manager to do."

Before Ten Hag steps foot inside Old Trafford, though, they have some serious work to do.

It would certainly aid the incoming boss's cause if they can nab that fourth Champions League spot.

They're currently last in a queue of three for fourth. Today's opponents will be in no mood to let them cut in...

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

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It is clear United's recruitment - bolstered significantly in the final years of Ed Woodward's time as executive vice-chairman - is a major issue.

Quite aside from Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival, which came after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had spent months persuading Edinson Cavani to stay at the club for an extra year to be the major attacking focal point - there are the contracts for the likes of Bailly and Jones.

These were handed out, seemingly, for no logical reason other than to try and earn a transfer fee for players who evidently had no long-term future at Old Trafford.

Few recent purchases have impressed and those who did initially, like Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, regressed to the extent of losing their place in the side in the latter's case, and face widespread calls to be dropped in the former.

Interim boss Ralf Rangnick has highlighted the continuity that has helped make Manchester City and Liverpool.

It was accepted even before this sorry season unfolded that United needed a defensive midfielder and that remains the case.

Somehow, despite committing over £180m on Maguire, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly since 2016, United are still weak in central defence. They also need a world-class striker - and much more from the players they already have.

Read more on the challenges facing Ten Hag at United

So yeah, Manchester United have Erik ten Hag sorted for the summer and beyond.

As already stated, he has an awful lot of work to do.

Here is what a few thoughts fans have already shared with us about Manchester United's new boss...

Sam Peoples, founder of YouTube channel United Peoples TV , externaland The Peoples Person , externalwebsite, lifelong United fan Natalie Burrell, Alex Turk from Stretford Paddock , externaland editor of Stretty News , externalDale O'Donnell have had their say:

Sam: Ripping up the culture of entitlement among the current crop of players. They have to remember what hard work is and that they can't take anything for granted under a manager who demands perfection and commitment. I can't wait.

Natalie: He needs to clear out egos. If there are players who don't want to play his way, then he must show them the door. The players have had their own way for too long and thrown managers under the bus. Ten Hag must come in, be firm and stick to his principles.

Alex: It's simple. He will be heavily backed, but I wouldn't be shocked to see three times as many outs than ins. There are plenty of players, on top of the five leaving on free transfers, that he will want to ditch. And the club must let him if this "rebuild" is going to work.

Dale: Ten Hag has a lot to do - and I really don't know where to start. Maybe with the fact United concede far too many goals and a defence that is frail without a defensive midfielder. Sadly, he may need sports science to develop before United can clone Roy Keane into the modern game.

Read more from our fans with the full piece here.

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• Arsenal are unbeaten in their past three Premier League home games against Manchester United (W2 D1), keeping a clean sheet each time - the Gunners have never kept a clean sheet in four consecutive home league games against United.
• Manchester United won the reverse fixture 3-2 against Arsenal in December, ending a six-game winless run against the Gunners in the Premier League. They’re looking to complete their first league double over Arsenal since 2017-18.
• Arsenal have won just three of their 15 Premier League games against United on Saturdays (D5 L7), and are winless in seven since a 2-1 home victory in November 2008. However, two of the Gunners’ three victories against the Red Devils have been in an early kick-off slot (11:15 in March 1998 and 12:45 in November 2008).
• United are unbeaten in their past 13 Premier League games in London (W8 D5), since a 2-0 loss at Arsenal in January 2020. The last top-flight side from outside the capital to have a longer unbeaten run in London was Liverpool – 16 games between May 1987 and October 1989.

Ralf Rangnick says he “likes watching Arsenal play” but is hopeful they do not turn on the style against Manchester United on Saturday.

He referenced the difficult start to the season Mikel Arteta’s side endured and said he was impressed by the way the Arsenal boss has turned the club around.

“They drew the right conclusions from what they experienced earlier on in the season,” said Rangnick. “They brought in some young players and got rid of some players who didn’t fit that style of football.

“Now, they are a high-attacking team with fast strikers. They’re pretty aggressive in the final third, always trying to press and counter-press.

“I like watching them but hopefully not against us tomorrow.”

Arsenal won a high-scoring thriller at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday and Rangnick believes there are weaknesses his players can exploit.

“It’s up to us to be aware of what they’re doing up front but then, at the same time, take advantage of the space we will hopefully get in their half,” he said.

“To do that, we will have to show a completely different performance than against Liverpool.”

Mark Lawrenson takes on Austin Brown, singer and guitarist of rock band Parquet Courts, in the latest round of Premier League predictions.

Image source, BBC Sport

Lawro's prediction: 1-1

After a run of poor performances, Arsenal looked a really good side in their win over Chelsea on Wednesday.

It was an outstanding display all round, and part of it was down to the way the Gunners were much quicker and fitter - the Blues looked flat.

United, meanwhile, just didn't turn up at Anfield and got the result they deserved. Their fans will be hoping for a reaction after such a dismal display but I'm not convinced this team are capable of one.

With Fred and Scott McTominay still out injured, United are going to lack bite in midfield - they would have made some difference to the manner of Tuesday's defeat and given the team a bit of steel that they badly missed.

The only thing that is stopping me going for an Arsenal win is that they have been in a position before where they had a grip on fourth place - in fact, they could almost have guaranteed it by now.

They have not dealt with that scenario very well in the past few weeks so I am not convinced things will be different this time.

It has to be said, though, that United are all over the place at the moment. With the players he has available, we don't know how Ralf Rangnick will pick a team and decide on a formation. A point would be a very good result for them in the circumstances.

Austin's prediction: There are a lot of parallels between us and Arsenal. Both teams are always in crisis and supposedly a couple of signings away from really making a title challenge. They have also both gone through some skilled managers in the past few years and gone back to a club legend, with varying degrees of success. Still, I feel like in the time I've been following United, although we've not been successful, we've still always done better than Arsenal. My gut actually tells me a draw here but I am going with a United win, with Jadon Sancho to score at least one of our goals. 1-2

Find out how Lawro and Austin Brown, singer and guitarist of the Parquet Courts, think the rest of the weekend's fixtures will go

Looks like a pleasant enough day in London as we get a helicopter shot of fans streaming into the Emirates.

Not quite as much sun around up north, unfortunately. It's like we're living in a Tupperware box.

The players are all out and warming up. What do you reckon then? Varane and Lindelof a better option than Jones and Maguire? Or will Nketiah and the Gunners forwards have another field day?

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at Emirates Stadium

I've seen both of these teams in action this week in Manchester United's 4-0 loss at Liverpool and Arsenal's 4-2 victory at Chelsea. What contrasting performances.

United were nothing short of a disgrace in attitude and application at Anfield while Arsenal were bold and vibrant in turning around a run of three league defeats when winning at Stamford Bridge.

What will we see today? Surely United cannot be any worse? Surely.

Whether it is on the subject of Pogba or anything else today, you can contact us through the usual channels.

Tweet us using the hashtag #bbcfootball, or text us on 81111 (UK only - standard message rates apply).

Part of that surgery could well be the complete removal of Paul Pogba, who is likely out for the season now with a calf injury, out of contract in the summer and out of rope at the club.

Asked if Pogba has played his final game for the club, the German replied: "The doctor told me it will take four weeks minimum for him to recover and the last game is the end of May.

"I don't think that it is very likely that he will be able to play again."

He added: "As it seems right now, he will not renew his contract. Maybe the club, or Erik [ten Hag, United's new manager] will also not want to renew the contract, I don't know, but it's most likely he won't be here anymore next season."

Pogba came through United's academy before joining Juventus in 2012 and returned to Old Trafford for a world-record fee of £89m in 2016.

In his second spell with the club, the 2018 World Cup winner has scored 39 goals in 226 appearances, helping them win the League Cup and Europa League in 2017.

As I've got a few of you here, it seems a good time to ask Manchester United fans: would you be sad or glad to see the back of Pogba?

United announced this week that Ajax boss Erik ten Hag will be replacing Rangnick as manager in the summer.

The German, though, feels his Dutch successor will need to take drastic action to turn the tanker around.

"We need positive energy for the new team and the new manager," he said.

"If he gets that, if the right lessons are being learned, this could be one of the few good things about the season we are going through.

"At least you know which kind of screws we need to turn, things we need to change, and, if that happens, why should Erik ten Hag not be able to be as successful as he was at Ajax?

"It's not the manager's quality - it's changing all the other things that have brought the club into a position we are in right now.

"The good thing - one of the few - is it's crystal clear. You don't even need glasses to see the problems.

"Now it's only about how you can solve them. Not minor cosmetic things. This is an open heart operation. If everyone realises this has to happen and works together, it doesn't need to take years.

"It can happen within one year. Other clubs have shown it's possible within three transfer windows."

The two teams come into this fixture in contrasting moods.

After a little blip in form, Arsenal are now buoyant again after a superb 4-2 win at Chelsea (who are doing their very best to leave the door to third spot ajar, by the way!).

Manchester United went to Anfield to face another of their big foes this week and were utterly blown away.

It would pretty galling for them and their fans to suffer a defeat so soon after to another of their historic rivals.

As their interim boss Ralf Rangnick has been saying, though, it might get worse before it gets better...

Let's not forget, such passion and fire has also helped fuel some of the finest football moments too.

Here is just a small selection...

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