As such, Sunday’s clash at the Emirates is dire, and that’s before you even get to the two managers.
Mikel Arteta has done a fine job at Arsenal, returning the Gunners to title challengers in his five years in charge. However, for all their improvement, the bottom line is that they have only won one trophy – the 2020 FA Cup.
Given that it was in the middle of the Covid pandemic and the game was played behind closed doors, Arteta has yet to enjoy the feeling of parading a trophy (assuming we discount the Community Shield) in front of the club’s fans.
Let’s make it ours 👊 pic.twitter.com/lyNGCoDTBl
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 10, 2025
Likewise for Ruben Amorim, the cup has an added sense of importance this season.
United have limped to 23 points in the league and are 13 points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.
The Champions League qualifying tilt is arguably a non-starter, so the realistic targets between now and May are a mid-table finish and knock-out success.
The Europa League provides an opportunity, as does the FA Cup.
United are the defending champions after their final triumph over Manchester City last season and Amorim says he will take a strong side to North London.
He said: “I see what everyone else sees. It is a very old competition with a long history.
“I remember watching some of the finals, including when we won the Treble in 1999.
“We won a few cups and we want to continue. At this stage we already have a very strong match 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 put out the best team to try to win. I will pick the best team to win. We want to win the cup.”
Team news
Arsenal are still without Bukayo Saka and Ethan Nwaneri, while Takehiro Tomiiyasu and Ben White are long-term absentees.
The good news for Arteta is that Raheem Sterling is back fit, while Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard both started in the EFL Cup defeat to Newcastle in midweek after overcoming illness.
Amorim confirmed on Friday that backup goalkeeper Altay Baydinir will start in place of Andre Onana.
Marcus Rashford is back from illness but the best the unheralded striker can hope for is a place on the bench.
Expected line-ups
Arsenal: Stripe? Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Rice, Havertz; Trossard, Jesus, Martinelli
Manchester United: Baydir? Yoro, Maguire, De Ligt; Mazraoui, Mainoo, Ugarte, Dalot; Amad, Fernandes; Hojlund
