While the FA Cup third round is all about giant-killing and lower league success stories, Sunday’s all-star clash between Arsenal and Manchester United will undoubtedly attract the most attention.
The historic rivals have dueled 16 times in England’s oldest cup competition and battled each other in the Premier League in early December. Arsenal were the hosts again this time and beat Ruben Amorim’s team 2-0 thanks to several set-piece goals.
A confidence-boosting draw at Anfield in their last game suggests Man Utd could make life even more difficult for Arsenal on Sunday, with both teams potentially making changes ahead of their midweek Premier League game.
Here are three key battles that could prove decisive in north London.
Arsenal will be without Bukayo Saka again on Sunday and the winger’s absence will undoubtedly have a huge impact on the Gunners. In recent games they have lacked energy and creativity without their outstanding winger, with the creative burden falling solely on the shoulders of Martin Odegaard.
However, the Norwegian playmaker has not been able to produce his usual performances in recent weeks. Only Saka has averaged more chances than Odegaard in the Premier League this season, but the Arsenal captain has created just one chance in his last three games.
It will be Manuel Ugarte’s main responsibility to suppress Odegaard at the Emirates Stadium and the Uruguayan is starting to find his feet under old ally Amorim. No player made more tackles than the summer signing at Anfield last Sunday and his combative approach will be crucial to denying Arsenal’s creative influence.
Amad Diallo has often been the game-changer for Man Utd this season. During a campaign of mediocrity, the Ivorian, who had just signed a new long-term contract with the club, was often the Red Devils’ only bright spot.
Amad proved again last weekend that he is the man for the big event, scoring the equalizer against Liverpool after breaking the Reds’ hearts with a dramatic late winner in a 4-3 clash last season in the competition had. Arsenal will be aware of their propensity for game-winning moments.
Whether Amad starts in the right midfield or right center forward position remains to be seen, but Riccardo Calafiori will likely be his opponent. The Italian is an energetic and lively defender who is unlikely to be without Man Utd’s number 16. This will make for an interesting fight that could prove decisive.
Calafiori, who was not used during Arsenal’s midweek Carabao Cup defeat, currently leads the Gunners in successful tackles per 90 in the Premier League. He must use his interventions cleverly against Man Utd’s livewire.
At the end of 2024, Gabriel Jesus illustrated the influence of self-confidence on a center forward. After scoring just once between February and November, the Brazilian scored six goals in four games, most recently against Brentford on New Year’s Day.
The former Manchester City striker has always been a mixed bag and is currently in a purple phase that Mikel Arteta will have to take advantage of on Sunday. He will fancy his chances of scoring a single goal in the last 14 meetings against the Red Devils.
Harry Maguire is likely to be the centre-back directly opposite Jesus, with the Man Utd defender sitting in the middle of the back three. Last weekend at Anfield he showed tremendous leadership and tenacity to thwart the Premier League’s most potent attack, even as he then fired a player over the bar in the dying embers.
Jesu’s trickery and agility should cause problems for Maguire, at least on paper, but the extra protection the England international receives as part of a back three could see him dominate another closely contested clash.