Arsenal stars wrap up during bitterly cold training session ahead of red hot Manchester United showdown

  • Arsenal welcome Manchester United to the Emirates on Saturday at 5:30pm 
  • Gunners enjoyed final training session ahead of crucial Premier league game 
  • Jack Wilshere was covered head to toe with only eyes exposed to cold weather
  • Arsene Wenger's side can cut deficit to one point behind United with victory

Arsenal's stars battled bitterly cold conditions in training ahead of their showdown with old rivals Manchester United

Most of the Gunners dressed in sports leggings and gloves for their session at Colney but one man in particular took it to another level.

Only Jack Wilshere's eyes were exposed to the weather as the diminutive midfielder wore his training gear, a hat, gloves and snood to insulate himself. 

Alexis Sanchez (right) set to work with his team-mates on a bitterly cold day in Colney

Alexis Sanchez (right) set to work with his team-mates on a bitterly cold day in Colney

Jack Wilshere was hardly recognisable as he wrapped up warm for a number of drills 

Jack Wilshere was hardly recognisable as he wrapped up warm for a number of drills 

Arsenal are preparing to take on Manchester United in Saturday's late kick-off 

Arsenal are preparing to take on Manchester United in Saturday's late kick-off 

Wilshere, Alexis Sanchez and Co set to work with a number of drills during a light session on the pristine pitches of their St Albans base.  


No doubt the promise of a crucial Premier League game also helped Arsene Wenger's men put the temperature to the back of their minds.

Wenger's men can reduce the deficit to United to one point with a victory as the battle for top four positions intensifies. 

Jose Mourinho's side arrive in London with a four point lead over Arsenal who have enjoyed three successive victories in the league. 

Sanchez will be looking to fire Arsenal to their fourth successive win in the league 

Sanchez will be looking to fire Arsenal to their fourth successive win in the league 

Peter Cech will expect to play a key part against Manchester United who lie in second 

Peter Cech will expect to play a key part against Manchester United who lie in second 

And after overcoming fierce rivals Tottenham at home, they will fancy another strong performance against their old foes. 

Though the days when both teams duelled for the the title against each other have passed, Wenger still recognises the enormity of the fixture.

'We have six or seven teams that fight at the top, but it is still a very big game and a very important one.

'It (the history of the fixture) plays a little part because it is two big clubs and that always creates a big game and players know that a lot will be said before and after the game. Of course it has an influence,' he said. 

Danny Welbeck could line up against his former club and will want to prove a point 

Danny Welbeck could line up against his former club and will want to prove a point 

Arsenal could cut the deficit to Manchester United to a solitary point with a victory 

Arsenal could cut the deficit to Manchester United to a solitary point with a victory