Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal have defensive means to cope with Manchester United counter-attack

United have recorded a number of high-scoring victories throughout their Premier League campaign so far

Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho go head to head tomorrow (Getty)

Arsene Wenger knows how deadly Manchester United can be on the counter, but believes that his back three gives Arsenal the security needed to cope when the teams meet at the Emirates on Saturday.

United put four past Watford on Tuesday night and have shown that in Romelu Lukaku, Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial they have the power to destroy teams on the break. Wenger knows that his own attacking, expansive philosophy has left Arsenal vulnerable to the counter in the past. But he is confident, on the back of five wins out of six in the league that his back three gives them a security they have lacked before.

Arsenal are in the midst of one of their best home runs for years – they have won all seven home league games – and the Emirates, which has been mutinous before, fees like a positive place to play again. Wenger puts that down to the defensive change at the end of last season that has given his team more security.

“It’s all linked a little bit with confidence,” Wenger explained after Wednesday’s 5-0 win over Huddersfield Town. “And the fact that we are a bit more stable defensively, and a bit more patient in our game. We are a team that puts many players when we attack. So we are sometimes vulnerable on the counter-attack. On that front, maybe the fact that we play with three centre-backs means we are caught less.”

Arsenal will need to be at their best at the back this Saturday against a Manchester United side who have shown their power on the counter attack.in recent weeks. They have a well-known problem against big six teams away from home, but after scoring four at Watford they have shown how dangerous they can be, especially now Paul Pogba is back.

“They look to be a strong team,” Wenger said. “They have a lot power up front. Every player has power: Lukaku, Ibrahimovic is back, you cannot say these guys lack power. Rashford, Martial, they all have power, so our defensive performance will certainly be important. When they have the ball we will have to be well organised against them.”

Of course Arsenal are expected to dominate possession and play high up the pitch. But it is what happens when United win the ball and try to break that will decide the game. “They are strong [on the counter] and we will have to be well-organised for that.”