FA Cup: Arsenal-Manchester United

Therefore, there is a lot at stake in Sunday’s clash at the Emirates, and that’s even before talking about the two coaches.

Mikel Arteta has done a great job at Arsenal, returning the Gunners to title contenders in his five years in charge. However, for all their improvements, the bottom line is that they only won one trophy: the 2020 FA Cup.

Given that it was in the middle of the Covid pandemic and the match was played behind closed doors, Arteta has not yet enjoyed the feeling of displaying a cup (assuming we win the Community Shield) in front of the club’s fans.

Let’s make it ours 👊 pic.twitter.com/lyNGCoDTBl

—Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 10, 2025

For Rubén Amorim, the cup takes on added importance this season.

United have limped to 23 points in the league and are 13 points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.

There is arguably no chance of qualifying for the Champions League, so realistic goals between now and May are to finish mid-table and have success in the knockout competitions.

The Europa League offers an opportunity, as does the FA Cup.

United are the defending champions after their final victory over Manchester City last season and Amorim says he will bring a strong team to north London.

He said: “I see what everyone else sees. It is a really old competition with a lot of history.

“I remember watching some finals, including when we won the Treble in 1999.

“We won some cups and we want to continue. At this point we already have a very strong game that we want to win and we want to improve our image and performance.

“We are in a difficult moment. We are improving, we will bring out 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 long-term absentees.

The good news for Arteta is the fact that Raheem Sterling is fit again, while Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard started in the midweek EFL Cup defeat to Newcastle after overcoming illness.

Amorim confirmed on Friday that backup goalkeeper Altay Baydinir will start in place of André Onana.

Marcus Rashford has returned after illness, but the best the visiting striker can hope for is a place on the bench.

Expected lineups

Arsenal: Raya; Wood, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Rice, Havertz; Trossard, Jesus, Martinelli

Manchester United: Bayindir; Yoro, Maguire, De Ligt; Mazraoui, Mainoo, Ugarte, Dalot; Amad, Fernández; Hojlund