ARSENAL are ready to give a shock call-up to third-choice keeper Wojciech Szczesny at Manchester United tonight.


Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is ready to throw the Pole, 20, into the firing line for his Premier League debut as No 1 stopper Lukasz Fabianski is struggling with a leg injury.


Wenger's decision will infuriate No 2 keeper Manuel Almunia, who has declared himself fit.


And, to makes matters worse for the Spaniard, who has a niggling elbow injury, Fabianski could still be on the bench ahead of him.


A friend of Almunia said: "He has become very frustrated at Arsenal this season."


Wenger, meanwhile, has warned United that Arsenal will be going for all-out attack at Old Trafford.


The Londoners are looking to tear apart United, who are unbeaten this season yet have drawn seven of their 15 Premier League matches.


Wenger said: "If you look at numbers this season, they are a team that has more draws and we win more games. That means we go there to win our game.


"We have won seven of our last nine league games and, despite setbacks at home, we have been very consistent.


"So, right now, we are in a strong position."


But Wenger was quick to play down any talk of a grudge with United chief Alex Ferguson.


The rival bosses used to be bitter enemies but their relationship has thawed over the years.


Wenger said: "There was no specific moment when it improved.


"When you both work for the LMA, for charity, you cannot say you don't speak together. We were together in Geneva for UEFA too.


"I'm not somebody who bears grudges for years."

Arsene Wenger has challenged his Arsenal side to show they have the hunger for success by delivering victory at title rivals Manchester United.

The Gunners remain top of the table after Didier Drogba's stoppage-time penalty miss at Tottenham meant Chelsea dropped down to fourth following Manchester City's win at West Ham on Saturday, which left them level on points with the leaders.

There is certainly little margin for error in what looks set to be one of the tightest championship battles for many seasons, with United still holding a match in hand on the teams around them.

It has been four years since Arsenal beat the Red Devils at Old Trafford. However, in each of the seasons in which they went on to win the Premier League, Wenger's side got a positive result in Manchester.

The Arsenal manager feels now is the perfect time for his latest generation to deliver.

"We have an opportunity to show how good we are - that is what you want in life," Wenger said.

"Let's go without any preconceived ideas, not [thinking] about any weakness of Manchester United, nor about any weakness from us, just let's focus on the day, to give your best, play with belief, play for each other and we have a good chance to beat anybody."

Wenger maintained: "I know that my team will be really up for it, and I always have great belief in my players - I know how hungry they are for success and am sure that will come out in the game."

Tonight's game will again pit Wenger against great rival Sir Alex Ferguson, and the Frenchman insists his former spats with the Scot should be taken in isolation.

"It's always for me in the heat of the moment," Wenger added on Arsenal's official website.

"I'm not somebody who bears grudges for years. I can forgive - indeed, sometimes I need to be the person to be forgiven - but I'm not somebody who thinks for 10 years, forever, 'I will hate you'.

"Relations with people go up and down a little bit. Why? Because many things happen in the heat of the moment and you know it's not for definite.

"I had [arguments] not only with him but with other managers."

A decision on whether to play captain Cesc Fabregas, who is battling to be fit from a hamstring problem, will be left as late as possible, while Theo Walcott - who impressed when coming off the bench to inspire the Champions League victory over Partizan Belgrade - could make his first start at Old Trafford.

Walcott has struggled to crack the Arsenal first team in recent weeks but Wenger insists his patience will be rewarded.

"Frankly I can understand that because for me Theo Walcott is doing well," Wenger said. "For me he is not an impact player, he is a regular player.

"At the moment he does not play as often as he should but he will play soon.

"In fairness, Theo is fantastic. His attitude and behaviour has been absolutely great."

Arsenal midfielder Andrey Arshavin revealed he loves to play alongside Jack Wilshere because the 18-year old is not afraid of playing the ball even in Arsenal’s own half.

Speaking to Arsenal TV Online, the Russian explained the Englishman is very talented which is the reason why he was so close to make a return to Bolton Wanderers in the summer on a loan. The 29-year old believes it happens with all talented players but it just takes one second for things to change as it was the case for his team mate.

In October, the Russian explained how the two may be similar in their physical built but how football-wise they are different with Arshavin adding how Wilshere is already a better player.

The Gunners travel to Manchester this evening in their attempt to consolidate the first position in the English Premier League with Chelsea only managing a draw on Sunday against Tottenham Hotspur.

On his team-mate, Arshavin said:

Quote:

He is very good, a very talented player. I like to play with him because he is not afraid to play even if it is in our own box. He just tries to play. I don’t like players which have fear. I like his brain, that’s why I like playing next to him. It happens with every talented player [to be wanted by other teams]. Just one second and he’s the best player in the team.