Van der Sar out for United

Edwin van der Sar is a surprise absentee as Manchester United look to extend their 100% start to the season at Arsenal’s expense today.

The giant Dutchman succumbed to a stomach bug which threatened to keep him out of Wednesday’s Champions League win over Celtic, so former West Brom keeper Tomasz Kuszczak is handed his debut, with untested youngster Tom Heaton named on the bench.

Irish international John O’Shea starts in midfield ahead of £18.6m (€27.63m) new boy Michael Carrick.

Thierry Henry is still missing and Robin van Persie has also been ruled out with a hip problem, further denting Arsenal’s chances of avoiding defeat – and falling an incredible 13 points behind their old rivals.