fbpx

Preview: Arsenal vs Manchester United – stats, team news, line-ups

Arsenal kick off their FA Cup title challenge at home to reigning champions Manchester United in Sunday’s blockbuster showdown.

This weekend’s contest will see the two most successful clubs in FA Cup history lock horns in a third-round contest at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners will be keen to end their FA Cup voodoo this season, having failed to improve on their 14 titles tally since last conquering the cup in 2020.

Meanwhile, United will be keen to crown yet another massively disappointing campaign with back-to-back FA Cup titles after beating fierce rivals Manchester City to the holy grail last season.

Arsenal take on United on the back of a deflating 2-0 defeat against Newcastle United in the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final encounter.

While they’re looking to get back to winning ways, United will hope holding Liverpool to an entertaining draw will be the springboard for better fortunes heading into the second half of the season.

Tickets to this box office encounter will likely be sold at a premium, but fans can book a spot in the stands by going through the ever-reliable secondary marketplace – Seatsnet.com.

Match Preview

For Arsenal fans worldwide, the FA Cup holds a special place in their hearts.

It’s a competition that has gifted Gooners some of their most iconic moments, from Arsene Wenger’s trio of triumphs in his final years to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s heroics in the 2020 victory over Chelsea.

However, the magic of Wembley Stadium’s glory days has faded in recent seasons.

Since lifting the trophy during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Arsenal’s FA Cup campaigns have stumbled, with two third-round and two fourth-round exits in the past four seasons.

The Gunners bowed out to Liverpool at this very stage last season.

Now, Mikel Arteta’s men enter the competition searching for redemption and a record-extending 15th FA Cup crown. Yet, their recent form casts a shadow over their ambitions.

A 2-0 loss to Newcastle in the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final on Tuesday marked Arsenal’s first home defeat of the season in any competition.

Goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon punished a wasteful Arsenal side that failed to capitalise on numerous chances.

That setback followed a frustrating 1-1 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League, which put their title ambitions in serious doubt.

The last time the Gunners suffered consecutive home losses, the second defeat in that sequence was an FA Cup third-round defeat to Liverpool.

However, they’re well-versed in ripping the trophy out of United’s grasp.

The Gunners have triumphed in their last six FA Cup encounters against the defending champions, and Arteta has already bested Ruben Amorim once this season, leading Arsenal to a 2-0 win at the Emirates.

Since that defeat, United have struggled to find their footing.

Talks of the 20-time English champions being dragged into a relegation battle have emerged, heading into the second half of the season.

However, Amorim’s side showed resilience last weekend, claiming a 2-2 draw against Premier League leaders Liverpool. A last-minute opportunity squandered by Harry Maguire kept United from claiming an unlikely victory.

Despite the commendable result at Anfield, United are winless in their last five matches across all competitions, conceding at least two goals in each of those games.

They’ve gone nine games without keeping a clean sheet, which highlights their defensive woes under Amorim so far.

However, the Red Devils have shown impressive consistency in FA Cup third-round ties, conceding in just one of their last ten fixtures at this stage and advancing each time.

History also favours United in recent FA Cup meetings with Arsenal. They’ve won three of their last four FA Cup meetings with Sunday’s opponents, including a memorable 3-1 victory at the Emirates in 2019 when Gunner Alexis Sanchez came back to haunt his former employers.

Head to Head

This will be the 16th meeting between Arsenal and United in the FA Cup, excluding replays, making it the second-most-played fixture in the tournament’s history behind Liverpool vs Everton (19 ties).

Remarkably, this will be the first time the Gunners and the Red Devils meet at this early stage of the competition.

The game will also make Arsenal vs United the seventh match-up in FA Cup history to feature in all six rounds available to top-flight clubs, joining the likes of Arsenal vs Chelsea and Liverpool vs United.

Arsenal have been sent packing in the third round in two of the past three seasons, a rare stumble after just one elimination at this stage in the preceding 25 campaigns.

United also boast a strong record against Arsenal in this tournament, knocking the Gunners out eight times – more than any other club. Arsenal, in turn, have eliminated United seven times.

Team News

Arteta faces another selection headache as his side prepares for this weekend’s crucial clash.

The Gunners remain without four key players – Bukayo Saka, Ethan Nwaneri, Ben White, and Takehiro Tomiyasu.

Despite these absences, Arteta continues to tinker with his line-up.

In their midweek EFL Cup loss to Newcastle, Leandro Trossard featured on the right flank but was substituted before the hour mark. Gabriel Jesus could step in for the Belgian this time.

Meanwhile, Raheem Sterling has recovered from illness, but his fitness may limit him to a bench role.

Another possible change could see Riccardo Calafiori replace Myles Lewis-Skelly on the left.

Meanwhile, United head to North London with fewer fitness concerns. Marcus Rashford was absent from the Liverpool trip due to illness but is expected to recover in time. However, he could be left out again as he pursues a move away from United.

Amorim will be without Mason Mount, Victor Lindelof, and Luke Shaw. Despite Altay Bayindir’s struggles against Tottenham in the EFL Cup, the Portuguese coach has confirmed the Turkish goalkeeper will start ahead of Andre Onana.

Arsenal potential starting line-up:

(4-3-3): David Raya; Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Davide Calafiori; Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, Mikel Merino; Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli.

Manchester United potential starting line-up:

(3-4-3): Altay Bayindir; Matthijs De Ligt, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez; Noussair Mazraoui, Manuel Ugarte, Kobbie Mainoo, Diogo Dalot; Amad Diallo, Bruno Fernandes; Rasmus Hojlund.

Subscribe for notification