The two most successful clubs in FA Cup history collide in a blockbuster third-round encounter on Sunday afternoon, as Arsenal host defending champions Manchester United at the Emirates.
The Gunners boast an unrivalled 14 triumphs in the competition but have disappointed since last conquering the cup in 2020, while the Red Devils endeavour to retain the crown they clinched courtesy of their shock success versus Manchester City several months back.
Match preview
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A competition that will forever hold a special place in the hearts of Gooners across the globe, the FA Cup has provided the Arsenal faithful with some of their most cherished memories over the years, from the trio of triumphs during the twilight of Arsene Wenger's reign to the Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang-inspired beating of Chelsea five years back.
However, since lifting the trophy aloft at Wembley during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Gunners have seen their FA Cup powers wane, suffering two third-round and two fourth-round exits over the last four seasons and falling at this exact hurdle to Liverpool in 2023-24.
Sticking with the theme of knockout disappointments, Mikel Arteta's men begin their quest for FA Cup crown number 15 having surely thrown away their chances of EFL Cup stardom, losing 2-0 to Newcastle United in the first leg of their semi-final on Tuesday evening.
While Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon took their chances with aplomb, Arsenal wasted countless openings to breach the Magpies' backline en route to their first home defeat of the season in any competition, one that came after an equally disheartening 1-1 Premier League draw at Brighton & Hove Albion.
The last time Arteta's side suffered back-to-back losses at the Emirates Stadium, the second defeat in that sequence was coincidentally their FA Cup third-round beating at the hands of Liverpool last January, but the 14-time FA Cup winners are well-versed in ripping the trophy out of the holders' grasp.
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Indeed, Arsenal have beaten the team holding the FA Cup in each of their last six tournament games against the defending champions, and Arteta has already got one over upcoming visitor Ruben Amorim since the Portuguese took the Red Devils reigns, overseeing a 2-0 Emirates success just a matter of weeks ago.
Since succumbing to Arsenal's set-piece expertise on that occasion, Man United have been walking in anything but a winter wonderland, leading to unironic talk of the 20-time English champions being involved in a relegation dogfight with half of the season gone.
However, the Red Devils commence their FA Cup title defence having unexpectedly stole a point off of runaway leaders Liverpool in last weekend's 2-2 stalemate, one that could have seen Amorim's men leave as the surprise victors had Harry Maguire not spurned a magnificent chance right at the death.
As praiseworthy as Man United's Merseyside display was, that draw prolonged their winless sequence in all competitions to five matches - during which time they have conceded at least two goals in every game - and Amorim's men have gone without a clean sheet in each of their last nine contests.
On the other hand, the Red Devils have only conceded in one of their last 10 FA Cup third-round matches - advancing from each one - and the holders have come up trumps in three of their last four FA Cup showdowns with Arsenal, including a 3-1 Emirates win in 2019 where Alexis Sanchez returned to haunt his old employers.
Team News
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It should be as you were on the injury front for Arsenal this weekend, where Arteta will have to cope without four right-sided options in Bukayo Saka (hamstring), Ethan Nwaneri (muscle), Ben White (knee) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) once again.
The Gunners boss altered his attacking formula yet again in the EFL Cup loss to Newcastle, as Leandro Trossard started on the right flank, but the Belgian was substituted just before the hour mark and is at risk of ceding his place to Gabriel Jesus; Raheem Sterling has recovered from illness but is unlikely to be considered for a starting spot.
Riccardo Calafiori for Myles Lewis-Skelly on the left is another alteration that the Arsenal boss might be expected to make, and there is a slight chance that on-loan goalkeeper Neto - ineligible for the EFL Cup - could make his Gunners debut.
Man United also came out of their trip to Liverpool with no new concerns on the fitness front, but wantaway attacker Marcus Rashford was swiftly removed from the matchday squad again, albeit due to illness rather than simply being expelled by Amorim.
The England international should have had ample time to fight off his bug by the time Sunday's game rolls around, but his camp are working tirelessly to secure him a desired exit before the January window slams shut, so it remains to be seen whether he makes the cut in North London.
Mason Mount (thigh), Victor Lindelof (unspecified) and Luke Shaw (calf) make up a trio of definite absentees for Amorim, who has not been afraid to make a multitude of changes from game to game but will surely be tempted to stick with the same outfield formula from Anfield.
However, the Portuguese has confirmed that Altay Bayindir will begin this match in goal over Andre Onana, despite his underwhelming display against Tottenham Hotspur in the EFL Cup last month.
Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Rice, Merino; Jesus, Havertz, Martinelli
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
Bayindir; De Ligt, Maguire, Martinez; Mazraoui, Ugarte, Mainoo, Dalot; Diallo, Fernandes; Hojlund
We say: Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United (a.e.t, Arsenal to win on penalties)
Newcastle's exceptional defensive work at the Emirates must be applauded, but Arsenal let themselves down with atrocious finishing and might struggle just as much against a Man United side whom they needed two corners to defeat in December.
Victory at the Emirates may still be beyond Amorim's men, though - one strong showing at Anfield will not guarantee a sustained upturn in fortunes - and even if Arteta's men are taken all the way to spot kicks, they should have enough guile on home turf to end Man United's defence at the first hurdle.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ben Knapton
