The importance of the match against Manchester United in the FA Cup has increased dramatically following Arsenal’s disappointing defeat in first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final. With chances of making the final narrowing, this competition has taken on extra importance for the Gunners.
Mikel Arteta knows that a defeat here would bring a huge amount of pressure on his shoulders and following a week of rest and the result at Anfield, Ruben Amorim arrives for a second time this season in a much better place, with the Gunners comparatively much worse off. There is some good news that the team continues to recover from a spate of illness and Raheem Sterling returned to the squad following a knee injury.
There could be changes made to the team that lost to Newcastle. Certainly, some performances drew plenty of criticism while others stood out and deserve to keep their place as a result.
There had been some speculation about whether or not goalkeeper Neto could make his debut for the club as he has waited a very long time for it. Signing from Bournemouth on loan, the Brazilian has been cup-tied in the Carabao Cup and not utilised in other games with David Raya impressing.
The back four remains the same from the Newcastle clash. Myles Lewis-Skelly stood out in particular, and he joins Gabriel, William Saliba and Jurrien Timber in the back line with the hope that Ben White could be getting closer to stepping up his recovery ahead of a return.
Into midfield and Declan Rice starts in the No.6 role, allowing Mikel Merino to enter the fray in midfield, rested from the midweek clash with Newcastle. Martin Odegaard needs to find some form after returning from illness but it has so far been hard to come by.
