Only a few weeks ago Arsene Wenger had so many strikers at his disposal that he started Kanu and Davor Suker on the bench. What he would do for such luxuries at Old Trafford on Monday.

Instead, with Dennis Bergkamp injured, Suker suspended and Kanu in Africa, Wenger goes into the pivotal match of this season lacking striking power. There are several options open to Wenger as he approaches a game Arsenal cannot afford to lose.

One would be to play five in midfield, leaving Thierry Henry alone up front. Alternatively, Fredrik Ljungberg may be employed in attack, as he has been by Sweden. If Marc Overmars recovers from a injury he could also fill in as the second striker.

That role could even go to Graham Barrett, although it would be surprising if Wenger chose Old Trafford as the place to give the 18-year-old his full debut. More likely is a place on the bench.

The Dublin-born Barrett is a quick and hard-working striker of promise but his first-team experience amounts to eight minutes over two substitute appearances against Leicester and Sunderland. For the reserves this season he has scored seven goals in 11 games.

The importance of the match is not lost on Arsenal's players. "We know that if we don't win this game we haven't got much chance of the title," said midfielder Ray Parlour.

Manchester United Manager Alex Ferguson said: "This is a key game and afterwards we will have a barometer about where we stand in terms of the Premiership. We have games in hand but they mean nothing unless you win them."

Regarding Arsenal's injuries, he added: "It's a role reversal from two years ago when we had a really weakened side with seven players missing and they beat us 1-0. That set them up to win the league."