Two most successful clubs in FA Cup history go

head-to-head

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A roundup of this weeks top stories

• Bukayo Saka injury update suggests potential long layoff
• Thomas Rosicky emerges as leading candidate for Sporting Director role
• Interest in french Bradley Barcola heating up
• John Duran links intensify with £60m price tag mentioned
• PSG's Kang-in Lee emerges as potential loan target
• Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic offered to Premier League clubs
• Ethan Nwaneri ruled out with groin injury

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Latest News

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Saka Out until March?

now.arsenal @now_arsenaI 🚨Bukayo Saka is back around the Sobha Realty Training Centre following surgery on his hamstring last month. The 23-year-old is not expected to return to action until at least March. [@RyanTaylorSport] 9:48 AM • Jan 12, 2025 25 Retweets 474 Likes Read 13 replies

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Arsenal Fans Want Barcola?

now.arsenal @now_arsenaI Arsenal fans are urging the club to sign PSG winger Bradley Barcola in January. The player is expected to be available for loan after PSG complete the signing of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Would you like to see Arsenal sign the French 22-year-old this month?🤔 2:29 PM • Jan 11, 2025 110 Retweets 2663 Likes Read 117 replies

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Arsenal Offered Vlahovic

Le African Gooner @leafricangooner 🚨 TRANSFER RUMOUR: Arsenal have been handed an opportunity to reshape their January transfer strategy, with Juventus offering long-term target Dusan Vlahovic for a fee of around €55 million 🇷🇸 (@Transfersdotcom) 6:30 PM • Jan 7, 2025 26 Retweets 317 Likes Read 34 replies

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Do You Agree?

𝐎𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐥 (fan) @__SakaSZN My current keep/sell Arsenal list Any changes? 3:45 PM • Jan 8, 2025 267 Retweets 3764 Likes Read 838 replies

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Will This Streak Continue?

Sxnti ✍🏽️🇪🇸 @PeakSxnti This is not rivalry, it's called ownership. 8:17 AM • Jan 11, 2025 801 Retweets 10298 Likes Read 375 replies

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Tomas Rosicky Sporting Director?

afcstuff @afcstuff 🚨 Tomas Rosicky is a leading contender to become Arsenal’s sporting director. It is understood that Rosicky has been in regular contact with members of the club’s hierarchy & is said to remain close to former team-mates Mikel Arteta & Per Mertesacker. [@guardian_sport] 5:20 PM • Jan 7, 2025 178 Retweets 2079 Likes Read 54 replies

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Was Edu Fired?

𝙈𝙚𝙭 @Afcmex 🚨Edu Gaspar's departure does not seem to be Edu's personal decision but a decision from Arsenal's top management after a transfer period that was considered not effective enough. 🔸To put it simply, Edu was "fired" and not "resigned". Arsenal's move to allow Edu to leave in the… https://x.com/i/web/status/1877964965631439092 6:25 AM • Jan 11, 2025 57 Retweets 386 Likes Read 66 replies

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Did He Not Like Arteta's Growing Influence?

#COYG #ArsenalFanaticsNews @Arsenal23Wenger 🗣 Edu speaking today " Not only are the reports about myself not being happy with Mikel Arteta getting a three year contract untrue I will be requesting a retraction . Furthermore I negotiated with Mikel and signed off on his contract , It was my idea. False Media reports won't… https://x.com/i/web/status/1877426801976238167 6:46 PM • Jan 9, 2025 270 Retweets 2678 Likes Read 36 replies

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Arteta's Message To Board

now.arsenal @now_arsenaI Mikel Arteta sends huge message to the Arsenal board in his press conference today: “We have certain limitations and we have a lot of gaps and a lot of things to cover to become the team that we want, and then the availability of those players - Can you afford them? Even if you… https://x.com/i/web/status/1877710662924689624 1:34 PM • Jan 10, 2025 279 Retweets 2999 Likes Read 194 replies

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Ben White Announces Baby

Eduardo Hagn @EduardoHagn 📲 Ben White has just announced he will become a father. 🦋 8:46 PM • Jan 9, 2025 133 Retweets 3876 Likes Read 47 replies

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Isak Very Unlikely

Eduardo Hagn @EduardoHagn 🚨 Exclusive by @CraigHope_DM: Arsenal will NOT be able to afford British record fee for Alexander Isak this summer. 🇸🇪 🔴 Focus for now will be on outgoings with Jesus, Zinchenko & Partey in line to go. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-14268327/Arsenal-NOT-afford-sign-Newcastle-star-Alexander-Isak.html dailymail.co.uk Arsenal can NOT afford to sign Newcastle star... CRAIG HOPE: Sources say owner Stan Kroenke is extremely unlikely to sanction a m... 10:26 PM • Jan 9, 2025 163 Retweets 2410 Likes Read 185 replies

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Ornsteins View On Transfers

DailyAFC @DailyAFC 🗣️ @David_Ornstein on Arsenal transfers: “You could see an Arsenal bringing in some young players now, who start to bed in for the future.” 👶 “It is often sensible and within financial parameters that allow you to hopefully compete with your rivals going forward.” 🗓️ 8:37 PM • Jan 8, 2025 39 Retweets 679 Likes Read 33 replies

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Arsenal vs Manchester United (FA Cup)

Where to watch & time

Date

​12th Jan 2025

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UK

15:00 BBC

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US

10:00 AM ET ESPN+

Scout Report

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Opponent Form & Recent History

• Form: Manchester United have struggled, winning just two league games out of nine under new manager Ruben Amorim
• Recent Meetings: Arsenal won 2-0 at home against United 39 days ago
• Current Run: United are winless in their last five, sitting 12th in the league
• Key Results:
  • Lost 3-2 to Nottingham Forest
  • Won 2-1 away at Manchester City
  • Eliminated from Carabao Cup by Tottenham
  • Consecutive defeats vs Bournemouth, Wolves, Newcastle
  • Drew 2-2 with Liverpool

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Team News

Arsenal:

• Ethan Nwaneri (groin), Bukayo Saka, Ben White, and Takehiro Tomiyasu remain sidelined
• Neto (cup-tied for Carabao) is now eligible to feature

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Manchester United:

• Marcus Rashford missed the Liverpool match (illness) & rumored transfer speculation
• Mason Mount out for four games with thigh injury
• Victor Lindelof (muscular), Luke Shaw (hamstring) are also absent
• Altay Bayindir confirmed to start in goal

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Key Concerns & Talking Points

• Fatigue & Injuries:
  • Core players (Rice, Gabriel, Saliba) playing lots of minutes
  • Others returning from injury (Timber) or short layoffs need careful integration
• Urgency to Win:
  • Fans see this FA Cup tie as a “must-win” to kick-start momentum
  • Worry that ignoring form or fitness might backfire in upcoming league games

MY View

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​ “ This FA Cup clash is a must-win, but our bigger issue is clear: we need to sign a forward this transfer window. No more excuses about lack of opportunities—there are plenty of options available with release clauses. Last year, Arteta pointed out our lack of box efficiency, and that hasn’t improved. We’re too reliant on a handful of players, and the rotation options aren’t delivering. ​ This team needs reinforcements to address the same problems we’ve faced for a year now. If we don’t act in the transfer window, it could cost us in key moments. Winning this game is important, but fixing our squad for the long term is critical. — Cordell Hayes

Arsenal Vs Newcastle

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3 Things We Learned From The Game

1. Arsenal’s finishing remains a critical issue - multiple clear chances missed
2. Team struggling to adapt without Saka’s influence on right wing
3. Lack of attacking depth exposed with limited impact from bench options

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Cordell Hayes Editor/Owner