Stay tuned on JOY 99.7 to monitor the Formula Manchester United Must Re-discover To Thwart Table-topping Arsenal  from 16:15GMT to 18:15GMT on Sunday, November 10.

While all the talk will centre on Arsenal’s tremendous start to the season in the build up to the Old Trafford meeting, David Moyes and his side can be confident of hurting the table toppers with the sort of game plan that worked wonders during the Sir Alex Ferguson era.

Arsenal passed their latest litmus test with flying colours in the 1-0 win at Borussia Dortmund, as the Gunners combined resilience with a clinical touch to make a giant stride towards the knockout stages of the Champions League. Next up, the small matter of a trip to Manchester United.

But, given the Gunners’ record in this fixture, all form that goes before this historically fiery encounter will count for very little when the players step out onto the Old Trafford turf.

Granted, David Moyes’ side have endured a painful teething period since the former Everton manager’s arrival, but United have shown recent signs of recovery, until the midweek blip in Sociedad, with Robin van Persie fluffing his lines from the spot.

The Dutchman will be keen to atone for his error against his previous employers and with Arsenal currently sitting atop the Premier League standings, there will be extra fire in the Dutchman’s belly to fire United back into contention, or at least a kid inside him to spur him on.

Remarkably, Arsenal have only tasted victory at Old Trafford just three times during the Premier League era – by the odd goal on each occasion – and it is something of a psychological barrier the Gunners must overcome if they are to seal a third successive scalp in what has so far been an extremely productive week.

Tactically speaking, it is difficult to find many flaws in a side that are currently matching the attacking verve so accustomed to their style of play with a watertight defence often considered a pre-requisite in any title-winning side.

Look under the surface, however, and there are slight chinks in the armour to be found.

Although Dortmund floundered in front of goal in the 1-0 defeat, they displayed the sort of clinical edge that has hurt Arsenal down the years in their 2-1 win at the Emirates a fortnight ago, something United can certainly take heart from.

Arsenal perfected that strategy themselves on Wednesday night but the opening day blip against Aston Villa and the recent defeat to Jurgen Klopp’s men suggest there is still a vulnerability in the Gunners’ ranks when they lose possession of the ball.

The return of Mathieu Flamini is therefore a welcome boost and should extinguish any lingering fears of such goals being conceded. The Frenchman has been a revelation in the holding role since his return to the club, evidenced in his 55% success rate in tackling.

Wenger is expected to field Mikel Arteta alongside Flamini at Old Trafford for extra indemnity and the Spaniard’s knack of recovering possession is even better; emerging with the ball 63% of the time.

Where United may find more joy out of the midfield double pivot is in the air, with 43% and 30% aerial duel success apiece reflecting the Gunners’ dedication to keeping the ball on the floor.