Arsène Wenger insists the memories of Arsenal’s 8-2 trashing at the hands of Manchester United in August will not haunt the Gunners when they welcome Sir Alex Ferguson’s side to north London on Sunday.

Fifth-placed Arsenal will be looking for a result to keep their hopes of a top-four finish alive – and Wenger is adamant that the hammering at Old Trafford early in the season will not affect his side.

“I believe every game is a new life – you can do well, you can do badly. We just want to take this opportunity to do well,” Wenger, whose side have suffered back-to-back league defeats, told a news conference on Friday.

“The result in August has nothing to do with that, we cannot wipe it out. It will not be an excuse not to beat them – it is over. You focus on what is in front of you and you try to do as well as you can.

“We are highly focused and motivated to win our game and hopefully we will have some people available who are today still doubtful. What is important is our determination and focus and that we are ready to give everything to win it.”

Meanwhile, United boss Ferguson admits he is expecting Sunday afternoon’s Premier League clash at the Emirates to be a much tighter affair than their meeting at Old Trafford.

“Sunday’s game is the start of a hectic spell for us,” said Ferguson. “I hope we come through the programme well because it could decide a lot of the season.

“It’s always a hard game with Arsenal and it should be a good one. They recovered well from the 8-2, had a really good spell and qualified for the next stage of the Champions League.

“They’ve had to contend with some injuries to defenders, particularly their two regular full-backs – [Bacary] Sagna and [Kieran] Gibbs have both been injured for quite a while now and they’ve had to contend with that which isn’t easy. I think they’ve equipped themselves well.

“Revenge? It has never been part of my career to think about it. It just doesn’t apply itself to me but maybe others do. Everyone’s different in that way.

“I certainly don’t think the game will be as open as Old Trafford earlier in the season. It will be a difficult game. They’ve only lost six goals at home this season so we’re well aware it will be a hard game.”

Saturday, 21 January 2012

Norwich v Chelsea, 12:45

Everton v Blackburn, 15:00

Fulham v Newcastle, 15:00

QPR v Wigan, 15:00

Stoke v West Brom, 15:00

Sunderland v Swansea, 15:00

Wolverhampton v Aston Villa, 15:00

Bolton v Liverpool, 17:30

Sunday, 22 January 2012

Man City v Tottenham, 13:30

Arsenal v Man Utd, 16:00

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