Record Arsenal vs Man Utd appearances XI from Premier League era

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Giggs top with 42 

©TM/IMAGO

Manchester United welcome Arsenal to Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon for the next chapter of one of the fiercest rivalries in the Premier League era. Before Chelsea and Manchester City gained wealthy benefactors, Arsenal and United battled directly for the title for almost a decade.

Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger embarked on some famous war of words and some of the classic Premier League games involved both clubs. Unfortunately, Sunday’s clash doesn’t carry the significance of some of those inconceivable encounters. Arsenal’s title hopes are effectively over with Liverpool well clear at the top and United are languishing in 14th but in no danger of relegation. But ahead of the clash, we’ve analysed which players have featured most in this fixture since the start of the Premier League era in 1992.

The combined XI is littered with legendary figures from both clubs with 300 appearances between them in this fixture since 1992, in all competitions. David de Gea edges out David Seaman in goal with the former Spain international playing 24 games in the fixture. Rio Ferdinand and Martin Keown form the centre-back partnership with 45 games combined with Gary Neville at right-back. Interestingly, Mikaël Silvestre is the only player to feature for both clubs after moving from Manchester directly to London in 2008.

As the graphic above illustrates, Roy Keane and Paul Scholes would rekindle their famous central midfield partnership with the former playing two more games in the fixture than his old foe Patrick Vieira. Freddie Ljungberg takes the right-wing spot in the 4-4-2 formation with Ryan Giggs on the left with the record number of appearances with 42. Wayne Rooney and Dennis Bergkamp form the partnership up front.