Stapleton: Nothing to choose

Ex-United and Arsenal striker Frank Stapleton admits there is little to choose between his two former sides ahead of their clash at the Emirates Stadium.

The Irishman is convinced that, unlike other high-profile matches, Saturday's huge encounter will be an unabashed feast of attacking football.

"With these so-called 'matches of the season' you get asked: 'Is it going to be cagey?' It isn't a case of even considering that on this occasion,"Stapleton told the Manchester Evening News.

"You just know there are going to be goals and it will be an open football match. It certainly won't be 0-0. It cannot really be anything else the way United and Arsenal are playing."

With no visible chinks in either side's armour, Stapleton concedes that neither team has a distinct advantage over the other.

"It really is hard to split them at this time," he admitted. "I look through every department of both teams and there is nothing in it.

"You think of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic in United's defence and how well they are playing but then Arsenal have Kolo Toure and William Gallas not conceding many.

"In midfield, despite United's injury problems they still have Anderson coming to the fore and now Owen Hargreaves back plus wingers like Ronaldo, Giggs and Nani.

"Then you look at Arsenal's engine-room and you have Cesc Fabregas in sensational form scoring plenty of goals as well.

"Up front, Arsenal have Emmanuel Adebayor and others weighing in while United have Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney on fire. It is fascinating. It is maybe up front where United might have the edge."

Stapleton feels that, contrary to previous years, Arsenal have the wherewithal to enter into a physical battle with Sir Alex Ferguson's side, if required.

"United and Arsenal play wonderful football," he said. "That's how United won the title last season and it is how Arsenal have got to the top this campaign. I don't see either side ditching that to get involved in anything.

"But the one thing that I think hasn't been noticed too much about Arsenal this season because of the great football they are playing is that they don't lie down like last season. Last year they were bullied out of too many matches. They were too nice as players. But I think they have added steel to their game.

"United have always had steel about them. I think that aggression from United in the past has given them the edge in these games.

"But I don't think Saturday is going to be a day when that is going to be called upon too much. I think the entertainment value at the Emirates is going to be excellent."