SETTABLOID

Riccardo Calafiori is unavailable for Arsenal’s FA Cup third round tie against Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium.

Calafiori, 22, is missing with a muscular issue as Myles Lewis-Skelly starts again at left-back. The summer signing was an unused substitute for the League Cup semi-final first leg against Newcastle United midweek. However, he is not involved in this match against Manchester United.

A knee injury kept Calafiori out for much of December before he returned in the cup quarter-final with Crystal Palace. Four matches later, the Italy international is again nursing a problem that prevents him from playing in the FA Cup for the first time.

Calafiori has now missed 13 matches through injury this season for the Gunners. Another knee issue kept the defender out during late October and much of November, with calf problems previously afflicting the player in September.

He has, though, made 16 appearances across all competitions. Lewis-Skelly’s emergence has also helped offset his absence, with the teenager making his 14th first-team outing against Man United.

The back four remains unchanged, though, with David Raya in goal rather than Neto. Jorginho partners Mikel Merino in front of them, with Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard making up the four furthermost forward players.

Arsenal have been knocked out of the FA Cup after being defeated by Manchester United on penalties. This will mount huge pressure on Mikel Arteta and the club who are out of a competition many had suggested they should be looking to win.

The Gunners were by far the more dominant side and ended the first half with 60% of the possession but were failing to generate meaningful chances with that – Gabriel Jesus was looking like a potential threat until what looks to be a serious knee injury took him off the field.

Bruno Fernandes would hit the Gunners with a sucker punch, however, at the start of the second half to start a manic period. First Diogo Dalot would be sent off before Gabriel Magalhaes equalised after a deflected effort.

Martin Odegaard was then given the chance to score a penalty but the well-hit shot was saved by an even better stop from Altay Bayindir. Kai Havertz would miss two golden chances, as would Declan Rice.

David Raya – Rarely tested in the first half, forced into a stop from Kobbie Mainoo as he struck from outside the box. He could do little about the goal as it was both unsighted and an excellent finish by Fernandes. Amazing save to deny Zirkzee in added time as a deflected effort was hit to his near-post. 7

Arsenal welcome Premier League rivals Manchester United in today’s FA Cup third round clash at the Emirates Stadium.

Predicted Line-up:

Summer loan signing Neto is available for selection in goal, but we anticipate David Raya to continue between the sticks.

There could be one change in the back four with Riccardo Calafiori replacing Myles Lewis-Skelly in the left-back role.

The £42 million signing was an unused substitute in midweek and looks poised to reclaim his position from the Gunners graduate.

Jurrien Timber, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are expected to keep their respective defensive positions.

In the centre of the park, Thomas Partey could be replaced by Mikel Merino as part of the manager’s rotation.

Partey has a knack for picking up injuries, and it won’t be a surprise if the Ghanaian is back on the bench today.

This would allow Declan Rice to start from his preferred number six position.

Martin Odegaard’s form has dipped, but the club captain is set to continue in central midfield alongside Merino.

Further forward, we expect one change from the disappointing loss to the Magpies.

Leandro Trossard should be dropped after underwhelming displays against Brighton & Hove Albion and Newcastle over the past week.

With Bukayo Saka and Ethan Nwaneri injured, we would prefer Gabriel Jesus on the right wing with Gabriel Martinelli on the left flank.

Kai Havertz squandered a big scoring chance against the Magpies, but the German’s aerial presence should get him the nod as the striker.

Predicted Arsenal line-up (4-3-3) vs Man Utd: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Rice, Merino; Jesus, Havertz, Martinelli.

It’s up to us to make sure we are fully switched on and ready to go. We’re looking forward to it. We have been really annoyed with how we’ve gone out of the FA Cup early in the past few years, because it’s always a big target for us at the start of every season.

This is the second of five home games in a row for us, in four different competitions. I’m not sure if it’s happened before, but after Tuesday’s result we really want to make the most of these next two weeks. We have spoken about it, we know what we want to achieve in this run, we are still in all four competitions so let’s go and do it. At this time of year we play so many games, lots of midweek games too, so it’s a big help to have them at home.

We have played Manchester United recently of course and we got the right result, but I have watched them since and they got a good result away to Liverpool last weekend. As I’ve said before, they have a lot of quality in their squad, and you can’t only look at the table when you talk about Manchester United. Especially as this is a cup game, so the league positions don’t matter – it’s about the level we can both be at on the day.

I know Arsenal holds the record for most wins in this tournament, so it’s about time we had another good run. We have a proud tradition of success in this competition at Arsenal, a lot of history, and we want to add to it. We really want to do that this season. We are desperate for trophies as a group, and we are going to fight for everything we can.

We will once again be supporting our No More Red campaign this afternoon, and it’s something I have learned a lot about since being at the club. This is the fourth season we’ve worn the No More Red kit to highlight our work that helps keep young people safe from knife crime and youth violence.

As captain I’m really proud of what the club is doing in the community to create safe spaces to play football, provide more opportunities for connection and champion role models. The players have again been connecting with local projects we are supporting, and by wearing the kit again today, hopefully that will result in even more focus on the issues.

Arsenal continue to be at the centre of several transfer rumours despite the unlikelihood of any January signings. The Gunners have been plagued by some key absences already this season with more of those coming in attack recently that has seen questions asked as to why Mikel Arteta is not dipping into the market.

Both Bukayo Saka and Ethan Nwaneri are currently missing because of injury but Arteta does not appear as though he is planning on spending this month. “First of all, someone who can impact the team, bringing bodies it doesn’t help at all,” he said on transfers earlier this week.

Despite hinting that no additions are to come, major updates on Viktor Gyokeres and Nico Williams, two players strongly linked to Arsenal, have come to light.

Gyokeres message

In Sporting CP’s Portuguese Cup final against Benfica, Gyokeres bagged goal 32 of the season. The Swede showed off his current confidence levels by opting to Panenka a penalty to equalise for his side in very tense circumstances. He also scored in the shootout that followed, though his side lost on spot-kicks.

Another attacking return for Gyokeres follows on from claims by Record Portugal that he has agreed with Sporting that he will be free to depart if any offer between £58.6million and £62.8million (€70million and €75million) arrives.

Alan Shearer believes Arsenal’s FA Cup tie against Manchester United has come at a good time for Ruben Amorim’s side due to the Gunners’ past two results. Only picking up a point at Brighton & Hove Albion one week ago, Arsenal then lost 2-0 to Newcastle United in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final encounter on Tuesday night.

Mikel Arteta’s team did have more than enough chances to score in the game but they unfortunately passed them up to allow the visitors to take a two-goal lead into the return leg. Given their Carabao Cup result and the fact they could trail league leaders Liverpool by nine points in the table if the Reds win their game in hand, Shearer feels that the FA Cup is possibly the best opportunity for the north London club to end the season with a trophy.

However, it’s going to be far from straightforward for Arsenal on Sunday as Manchester United travel to the capital on the back of an excellent performance and point after recording a 2-2 draw at Liverpool last weekend.

Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney is close to signing a pre-contract agreement with Celtic.

With Arsenal deciding not to exercise their one-year option in Tierney’s contract, the left-back will become a free agent at the end of the season. The Scotland international is able to sign a pre-contract with a club outside the Premier League from this month, and that is what Celtic are trying to do.

The Arsenal left-back has given his full blessing over a return to the Scottish Premiership giants and has subsequently turned down all other offers to secure a return to Celtic Park.

Celtic’s main objective is to make sure they are able to get Kieran Tierney on a free transfer next summer, but TEAMtalk understands that they have not given up hopes of signing him on a loan deal in the January window.

The Scottish Premiership leaders have been trying for a loan deal this month, but there are difficulties.

While Arsenal would be willing to send Tierney out on loan for the rest of the season and also pay a portion of his wages, the Premier League club would be looking for a loan fee of £2.5m.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has previously dismissed suggestions that Tierney could leave in January, but Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has been coy about a potential return for the star left-back, having worked with him at Celtic Park before he left for the Gunners in 2019.

Arsenal face what could be a pivotal moment in their season as they face Manchester United in the FA Cup on Sunday afternoon.

The Gunners’ Premier League title challenge faces difficulties, while their first-leg defeat against Newcastle in the semi-final of the Carabao Cup leaves Mikel Arteta’s side with a mountain to climb to reach the final.

Arsenal have a chance at sealing progression into the fourth round of the competition, and knocking out last season’s winners in the same moment. Ruben Amorim’s side have not been in great form recently – but have had strong showings in big away games at Manchester City and Liverpool, so Arteta’s team will need to be on their toes to prevent any slip-ups.

Tom Canton

Choosing this team has been tougher than I thought and the extra rest that Manchester United have had, there needs to be some changes from the side that lost to Newcastle while maintaining quality. The back five is the same barring Myles Lewis-Skelly who is replaced by Riccardo Calafiori, perhaps a better match for Amad Diallo.

In midfield Declan Rice moves to the No.6 role and then Mikel Merino comes in for Thomas Partey. The Spaniard offers some fresh legs for the game with hope that Martin Odegaard might finally rediscover some of his best form.

Raheem Sterling was on the bench midweek and the hope will be he can help cover the absence of Bukayo Saka – if not, it has to be asked why we signed him? Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli complete the front three.

Tom’ Arsenal XI vs Man Utd: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Merino, Odegaard; Sterling, Jesus, Martinelli.

Joe Doyle

This game arguably does not come at an ideal time for Arsenal. Judging on their last showing against Liverpool, this Manchester United side is not the same one the Gunners faced just over a month ago when Ruben Amorim took charge.

That being said, Arsenal should still be good enough to progress into the next round. I’d be surprised if Mikel Arteta chose this game to give Neto his debut for the Gunners, so for me David Raya starts in goal.

At the back, there’s only one real decision to make and it’s between Myles Lewis-Skelly and Riccardo Calafiori at left-back. I think with the way United have focused their attacks this season, the majority of their attacking play will come on the other side of the pitch. So Lewis-Skelly should start for what he brings to the attack. He starts with Jurrien Timber at right-back and a central pairing of Gabriel and William Saliba.

In midfield, Declan Rice starts along with Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino, for me. This trio can dominate the ball in among a United duo, and Merino’s slightly more progressive qualities means he starts ahead of Thomas Partey.

In attack, I’d be tempted to start Gabriel Jesus on the right to get both him and Kai Havertz in the team. Leandro Trossard has failed to deliver regularly in recent weeks, and Gabriel Martinelli’s pace is too dangerous – with Jesus’ play in off the right causing troubles for United.

Joe’s XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Rice, Merino, Odegaard; Jesus, Havertz, Martinelli.