Manchester United a bigger test for Arsenal than Chelsea, claims Alan Smith

Unai Emery masterminded Arsenal’s win over Chelsea last weekend (Picture: Getty) Manchester United will represent a far greater test of Arsenal’s new-look defensive partnership than Chelsea did last weekend, according to Alan Smith.  Unai Emery’s side host United at the Emirates in the standout tie of the FA Cup fourth round, a week on from the morale boosting win over their west London rivals.  First half goals from Alexandre Lacazette and Laurent Koscielny helped secure a 2-0 win, while the club captain produced a man of the match display alongside summer signing Sokratis Papastathopoulos. More: Football Lionel Messi calls on rescue team to resume search for Emiliano Sala Paul Pogba will only leave Manchester United for two clubs, says brother Florentin Martin Keown explains why Alvaro Morata flopped at Chelsea ahead of January move It was the first time Koscielny had started alongside the Greek international and the pair combined to record a rare clean sheet, easily nulifiying a toothless Chelsea attack. Advertisement Advertisement  United, however, have been reborn under the interim management of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who has masterminded a run of seven consecutive wins in all competitions and Smith feels their forward line, spearheaded by Marucs Rashford could cause significant trouble for Arsenal.  ‘One of the most encouraging aspects of Arsenal’s win over Chelsea last weekend was the form of Sokratis and, particularly, Laurent Koscielny, the two centre-halves perhaps entrusted with keeping Marcus Rashford and Co quiet on Friday,’ the former Arsenal told the Evening Standard. Marcus Rashford has been in superb goalscoring form for Manchester United (Picture: Getty) Laurent Koscielny produced a man of the match display against Chelsea last week (Picture: Getty) ‘Together, they played with intelligence and great determination. You could see it in their eyes. Nobody was getting past that day. You could argue, however, that they didn’t really face the strongest of threats, given the unsuccessful tactic of playing Eden Hazard as a so-called false nine.  ‘This will surely be much different, a proper test of the partnership: the direct pace of Rashford, Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard, the clever passing and forward surges of a rejuvenated Paul Pogba.  ‘If Sokratis and Koscielny can handle all this, at least Unai Emery is granted some vital legroom in a department obviously in need of more quality and numbers.’ More: Manchester United FC Paul Merson explains why Tottenham's defeat to Chelsea was bad news for Solskjaer Gary Neville should be Manchester United's next manager, says Phil Brown Ole Gunaar Solskjaer reveals Arsenal's two biggest threats after watching win over Chelsea Advertisement Advertisement