Arsenal vs Manchester United preview: Cup Clash of Titans

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The Gunners host the Red Devils in a crucial cup tie

Arsenal host Manchester United in the 3rd round of the FA Cup, kickstarting this season's FA Cup campaign for both sides.

In a weekend where the majority of top sides have drawn the likes of Accrington Stanley, Morecambe, and Tamworth FC, the Gunners have drawn a Premier League side early for the second straight season, having faced Manchester City and Liverpool in the previous two campaigns.

Those past two draws ended as poorly as could be imagined for Arsenal, losing both matches and ending their FA Cup hopes before they could even begin. United, despite their shaky transitional form under Ruben Amorim, enter the contest looking to defend their cup title after they shocked heavy favorites Manchester City in the final last season.

Can the Gunners shake off the hangover after Tuesday's loss against Newcastle and forge through to the 4th round as they chase a record 15th FA Cup title?

Here are five talking points ahead of Sunday's match:

Know the Enemy

The Ruben Amorim era notched one of its first marquee performances last weekend, when Manchester United played league leading Liverpool to a 2-2 draw at Anfield in the Premier League. The Red Devils fought back admirably to secure the draw in a back-and-forth affair that they nearly won in the dying moments, undoubtedly improving the storied side's belief under their new manager.

In spite of that result, it was a bit of a bandaid on a bullet wound. The growing pains under Amorim have been glaring. Heading into the match at Anfield, they were on a 4 match losing run, failing to score in three consecutive matches before their timely draw.

Amorim's early tenure has started with a record of 4 wins, 2 draws, and 6 losses. In fairness, he inherited a fractured squad that will need a severe summer overhaul to correct. The public falling out with United academy-turned-club staple Marcus Rashford has gripped headlines, but Amorim did bolster the future of the squad this week with a contract extension for starlet Kobee Mainoo.

The Red Devils could head to the Emirates without the likes of Luke Shaw, Marcus Rashford, Mason Mount, and Victor Lindelof.

Last Time Out

Last season saw the Gunners host Liverpool for the FA Cup 3rd round, with Arsenal once again donning the all white No More Red kits. The north London club have worn the monochrome kit for the past four seasons in the FA Cup in an effort to raise awareness of knife violence in London. Unavailable to the public for sale, it's wholly unique to Arsenal, and an unequivocally very cool thing.

Unfortunately, that kit has also been a bit of a No More Wins kit. Whether or not you believe in kit-based luck, Arsenal's track record in the white kit has not been great. In 3 matches donning it, they have lost 2, including last season, when Liverpool bounced the Gunners out of the FA Cup with a 0-2 win at the Emirates.

In a match frustratingly similar to the 0-2 Carabao Cup loss to Newcastle, the Gunners won the battle of the stat sheet, outshooting and out-possessing the visitors. With the scoreline at 0-0 late in the match, a Jakub Kiwior own goal in the 80the minute broke the deadlock and knocked the wind out of Arsenal's sails. A stoppage time Luis Diaz dagger solidified the win for the visitors, once again ending the Gunners' FA Cup hopes before they could even begin.

Injuries & Suspensions

After a slew of illnesses, it looks like the ailing players have returned to the lineup. The biggest boost was the return of Raheem Sterling, who is back in the lineup after a knee injury kept him out for the last three weeks.

Out: Bukayo Saka (hamstring), Benjamin White (knee), Takehiro Tomiyasu (undisclosed), Ethan Nwaneri (muscular injury).

Predicted Lineup

Attack: Martinelli, Jesus, Sterling

Arsenal's attack was on the receiving end of some (much deserved) criticism after their abysmal finishing against Newcastle. Between injuries and lackluster performances, they need something to go right in the attack. Raheem Sterling made the bench for Newcastle, and there is no reason he doesn't start on Sunday. After a frustrating 1st half of the season, he has an opportunity to breathe a little life into the attack.

Midfield: Merino, Rice, Ødegaard

The midfield has been frustratingly average in recent weeks. Captain Martin Ødegaard has looked off the mark, misplacing passes and looking far less sharp than we are accustomed to. Declan Rice, thankfully, looks much more like the one that dominated the midfield all last season than he did in the first half of this season. Mikel Merino, like Sterling, was an unused sub and provides fresh legs and physicality.

Defense: Calafiori, Gabriel, Saliba, Timber

Calafiori didn't come off the bench against Newcastle, though I don't think many Arsenal fans would be opposed to another start for Miles Lewis Skelly. The remainder of the defense is as usual. Jakub Kiwior is a candidate for a start over Gabriel, though a strong back line is going to be needed against a United side that will want to capitalize on last weekend as they vie for a second consecutive FA Cup title.

Keeper: Raya

In most circumstances, I'd be inclined to think Neto would get the nod. But, having drawn yet another top side for the 3rd round of the FA Cup, Arsenal have to go strong in the back, which means putting their best keeper in between the sticks.

Shooting Boots

Arsenal's attacking performance against Newcastle was the peak of profligacy. The Gunners amassed 23 shots with only 3 on target, creating 6 big chances while accruing an xG north of 3, failing to capitalize on any of their opportunities. It was the kind of performance that saw fans seeing ghosts of Gunners past, a grim reminder of previous Arsenal iterations that were all sizzle and no steak in front of goal.

It's a frustrating issue that has only been amplified over the past two matches, with wasted chances abounding and few players rising to the occassion in Bukayo Saka's absence. The attack has ample experience, but something isn't clicking. Reports and rumors that the Gunners are not likely to reinforce the attack means it's sink or swim for the attack. Someone needs to step up. Who it will be remains to be seen.

It's been a weird week for Arsenal. Between the draw at Brighton, the loss against Newcastle, the ugly media smear job on Mikel Arteta's comments about the match ball, and reports that Arsenal will likely not be active in the January transfer market, the Gunners have had a rough go of it. All that being said, the season is still far from over, though the Carabao Cup loss has only heightened the importance of needing a win on Sunday. Winning cures all, they say, and a victory against United will do wonders for a club that has taken its lumps recently.

WHO: Arsenal vs Manchester United
WHAT: The FA Cup 3rd round
WHEN: Sunday, January 12th, 10:00am EST/7:00am PST/3:00pm GMT
WHERE: The Emirates stadium, London
HOW TO WATCH: Broadcast live on ESPN+

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