Mariga set to join Man City

“I know he scored four goals but his control leading the line and his link-up play was fantastic. Overall it was a wonderful performance. World class.”

Arsenal, who currently sit in third place in the league ladder, will vault over United with a win, but their overall title ambitions suffered a setback against Aston Villa on Wednesday night.

The Gunners were held to a 0–0 draw by Martin O’Neill’s Champions League hopefuls, and they lost Eduardo and Thomas Vermaelen to injury.

Wenger, though, was pleased to see his side come through a physical encounter at Villa Park, something they have not always been able to do.

“We didn’t always find our passing game (against Villa),” he said. “They play a very efficient English game with long balls and very physical.

“Although Villa were physical, it was not a dirty game. It was a committed game. It was a fair game but not dirty at all. For me, it was physical in a positive way.”