Per Mertesacker is already focused on Manchester united after the disappointment of Monday’s night’s defeat at the hands of Swansea.

Hoping to repeat their FA Cup result at Old Trafford when they finally broke their long-standing duck, the stand-in captain is positive of getting a second win.

“We won there once and it’s possible to do that twice per season, so we’re very positive and looking forward to it. We are still in a good mood and a good level of confidence.

“Most important will be the duels in midfield around Marouane Fellaini –that is a major part of their game and Francis Coquelin did really well last time.

“We need to try and control this. It’s not going to be easy, but we want to keep the ball as much as possible, get the ball in their half and break – that is what we did last time and we did it really well.

“Overall we keep going and that’s the most important thing when you lose. We need to get the momentum going again and we are ready for any opponent.”

Danny Welbeck, as you know, scored the winner earlier in the year and he could well be available for the game after recuperating from a swollen knee.

In the race for third place and automatic Champions League qualification, the Gunners go north knowing that even should they lose they will still have their destiny in their own hands with their game in hand against Sunderland.

The maximum points United can get this season is 74 with a win over Arsenal. Arsenal currently have 70 with home games against Sunderland and West Brom remaining after the United game.