Arsenal vs Manchester United

One of the most heavily anticipated FA Cup third-round ties pits Arsenal and Manchester United against each other at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal’s hopes of winning both domestic cup titles this season took a devastating hit during midweek as Newcastle United celebrated a 2-0 victory in North London, winning the first leg of their mouth-watering EFL Cup semi-final tie. Mikel Arteta’s men will be out to atone in the third FA Cup round against bitter rivals Man Utd – a side they’ve beaten in their last four Premier League meetings, including a 2-0 win on this ground in early December. Before Newcastle’s triumph, Arsenal had gone unbeaten in all 14 competitive home outings this season (W11, D3), turning the Emirates into a fortress. The Gunners’ stronghold has stood firm in the past seven competitive meetings with Man Utd (W6, D1) – a run stretching back to March 2019.

Interestingly, each winless game in that run came in the Premier League, while Manchester United’s last victory on this ground dates back to the 2018/19 FA Cup. Replicating that feat looks like a pipe dream, even though the Red Devils opened the new calendar year with a morale-boosting 2-2 away draw against Premier League pacesetters Liverpool. A decent performance at Anfield only served to end United’s dismal four-match losing streak in all competitions, including a 4-3 defeat to Tottenham in the EFL Cup quarter-finals last month. Manager Ruben Amorim has only won two of his seven away matches in charge of Man Utd (D2, L3), with his side conceding 2+ goals on their last three road trips (D1, L2).