UNITED UP FOR TEST AT ARSENAL

Carrick upbeat after win over City, but they have not beaten Gunners in last 6 games

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Arsenal versus Manchester United is a fixture that has lost its lustre since the days when they were scrapping for Premier League titles with such ferocity that clashes between the sides inevitably reached boiling point.

They shared out the title between them for nine seasons between 1996 and 2004, with Alex Ferguson’s United taking six and Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal prevailing on three occasions.

United have been a fading force since Ferguson’s reign ended with the 2012-13 title, while Arsenal have not been champions of England since their Invincibles ruled the roost in 2003-04.

After three successive runners-up finishes, the Gunners are red-hot favourites to end that long wait this season and have opened a seven-point lead at the top over stuttering Manchester City and Aston Villa.

They host United on Jan 25 and, while their visitors are, once again, not in the title equation, the match has suddenly gone from being what most assumed would be a comfortable home win to a fixture that could rekindle memories.