FA Cup: Arsenal vs Manchester United
So there’s a lot at stake in Sunday’s game at the Emirates, and that’s even before you get to the two managers.
Mikel Arteta has done a good job at Arsenal and made the Gunners title challengers again in his five years as manager. But despite all their progress, the bottom line is that they have only won one trophy – the 2020 FA Cup.
Given that the game took place in the middle of the Covid pandemic and the game took place behind closed doors, Arteta has not yet enjoyed the feeling of presenting a trophy in front of the club’s fans (assuming we ignore the Community Shield) .
Let’s make it our own 👊 pic.twitter.com/lyNGCoDTBl
– Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 10, 2025
The trophy also has additional meaning for Ruben Amorim this season.
United have fallen to 23 points in the league and are 13 points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.
A chance of qualifying for the Champions League is probably not an issue, so the realistic goals by May are a place in the middle of the table and success in knockout competitions.
The Europa League offers an opportunity, as does the FA Cup.
United are the defending champions after their recent triumph over Manchester City last season and Amorim says he will travel to north London with a strong team.
He said, “I see what everyone sees. It’s a really old competition with a lot of history.
“I remember watching some of the finals, including when we won the treble in 1999.
“We have won a few trophies and want to keep going. At this point we already have a really strong game that we want to win and we want to improve the image and performance.
“We are in a difficult moment. We are improving, we will field the best team to try to win. I will choose the best team to win. We want to win the cup.”
Team news
Arsenal are still without Bukayo Saka and Ethan Nwaneri, while Takehiro Tomiyasu and Ben White are out long-term.
The good news for Arteta is the fact that Raheem Sterling is fit again, while Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard both started in the EFL Cup defeat to Newcastle in midweek after recovering from illness.
Amorim confirmed on Friday that backup goalkeeper Altay Baydinir will start in place of Andre Onana.
Marcus Rashford is back after illness but the best the promising striker can expect is a place on the bench.
Expected lineups
Arsenal: stripes; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Rice, Havertz; Trossard, Jesus, Martinelli
Manchester United: Bayindir; Yoro, Maguire, De Ligt; Mazraoui, Mainoo, Ugarte, Dalot; Amad, Fernandes; Hojlund
