Giggs back for crunch title clash

Premiership leaders Manchester United arrived at the Emirates Stadium knowing victory over Arsenal would open a nine-point advantage over Chelsea.

United manager Alex Ferguson brings Ryan Giggs back into the side for Park Ji-Sung in the only change from last weekend’s 3-1 home victory over Aston Villa.

Mathieu Flamini comes into the Arsenal midfield for Gilberto, who was suspended after being sent off early in the Gunners’ 2-0 win at Blackburn.

Emmanuel Adebayor, who scored the winning goal against United at Old Trafford in September, replaces Robin van Persie up front while Emmanuel Eboue starts at right-back ahead of Justin Hoyte.

Arsenal: Lehmann, Eboue, Toure, Senderos, Clichy, Hleb, Fabregas, Flamini, Rosicky, Adebayor, Henry.

Subs: Almunia, Julio Baptista, Van Persie, Denilson, Hoyte.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo, Scholes, Carrick, Giggs, Rooney, Larsson.

Subs: Kuszczak, Heinze, Brown, Saha, Fletcher.

Referee: S Bennett (Kent)