Arsenal face rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup Third round at the Emirates Stadium and head into the tie knowing they will have to improve on recent performances.
Arsenal v Manchester United is available to watch on BBC but Mikel Arteta will know that his side must improve upon their dismal display in front of goal against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup semi final defeat.
Arteta is in desperate need of improvement from his forward and Arsenal have revived interest in Alexander Isak, indicating the club are aware they need more firepower.
Oleksandr Zinchenko could play in midfield in order to help Arsenal’s creative problem but they know the game against United will be a tough one. The news that Ethan Nwaneri is injured for weeks will also not help matters.
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Five classic Arsenal FA Cup victories over Manchester United
Whilst confidence may be low in the Arsenal side, the players will be hoping to progress in the FA Cup- a competition that no other side has won more than the Gunners.
Whilst Man Utd will provide stiff competition, Arteta’s men can take inspiration from previous victories over the Red Devils in the competition.
Danny Welbeck defeats his old side Manchester United in 2015
Arsenal defeated Manchester United at Old Trafford back in March 2015 to progress into the semi finals of the FA Cup.
Danny Welbeck scored the winner in the second half against his former side after defender Nacho Monreal had also given the Gunners an early lead.
It was perhaps Welbeck’s second most memorable in his Arsenal career after Welbeck scored a winner against Leicester City that should have led Arsenal to a Premier League title in 2016.
Edu inspires Arsenal to victory without Thierry Henry & Dennis Bergkamp
An Arsenal side without star players Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp were able to overcome a strong Manchester United side at Old Trafford in the Fifth Round back in February 2003 with a 2-0 victory.
Edu Gaspar opened the scoring before Sylvain Wiltord sealed the win with Ryan Giggs famously missing an open goal during the match.
Edu has recently left as Arsenal sporting director having taken up the position in 2022. Former Gunner Tomas Rosicky is now the frontrunner to replace the Brazilian in the role.
Alan Sunderland hits late winner in dramatic FA Cup Final
In front of 100,000 people at Wembley stadium, Arsenal secured the FA Cup trophy with a dramatic 3-2 win over the Red Devils in one of the greatest finals ever.
Arsenal held a 2-0 lead until the 86th minute before two quick-fire goals from United left the game heading for a replay.
Up stepped Arsenal legend Alan Sunderland to fire home in the last minute of the game and give Arsenal the 1979 honours.
Brian McClair missed penalty ignites the Arsenal and Man United rivalry
Arsenal defeated Man United at Highbury in the Fifth Round in 1988 with goals from Alan Smith and a Gordon Strachan own goal.
However the game is remembered for a missed penalty by United forward Brian McClair, which then sparked a brawl between both sides both during and after the game.
It is believed that this moment ignited the rivalry between the two clubs, Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira often clashed in tremendous games during the 90s and early 2000s.
Patrick Vieira’s last touch for Arsenal wins the FA Cup
The 2005 final was a pretty drab 0-0 draw but former captain Patrick Vieira scored the winning penalty in the shoot out to lift the trophy for the Gunners.
It turned out to be Vieira’s last kick of a ball for the club as he joined Juventus that summer for a fee of just £13.75m.
With such history in the competition, Mikel Arteta will be keen to carry on the club’s proud tradition by securing yet another victory over Ruben Amorim’s United side.
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