Arsenal Arsene Wenger: 'Showdowns against Manchester United are special'

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has claimed that going head to head with Manchester United in the Premier League is always "special".

The Gunners will welcome Louis van Gaal's side to the Emirates on Sunday afternoon.

The North London outfit are three points behind their rivals, who currently top the table with 16 points after seven games.

"It is a special fixture because usually Man United are always fighting at the top," Wenger told the club's official website. "It has an even bigger meaning now because there are three points between the teams, and we play at home in a big game.

"At the moment it is too difficult to say that any team dominates the championship. It is so tight that one point more after seven games does not mean you will suddenly make a big difference in the league.

"It is settling at the moment and it is a very important time in the Premier League but you cannot come to a conclusion that one team is above everybody else."

So far this season, Arsenal have taken four victories, one draw and two defeats in the top flight.