In a showdown between the FA Cup’s two most successful sides, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will be keeping a close eye on the ball when Manchester United visit the Emirates Stadium.
Arteta came up with an unusual excuse for Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat against Newcastle in the League Cup semi-final first leg on Tuesday, claiming the ball was responsible for his team’s wayward finishing.
The League Cup uses a different ball to the Premier League and Arteta moaned: “We kicked a lot of balls over the bar. It’s tricky. This ball flies a lot.”
With the FA Cup also having its own ball, the trajectory of Arsenal’s shooting will be watched with interest in a game neither side can afford to lose.
The only silverware of Arteta’s Arsenal reign came when he led them to a record 14th FA Cup triumph in 2020.
Trailing six points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand, the Gunners may need to focus on cup success to end their trophy drought.
Holders United, who have lost their last four meetings with Arsenal, earned their 13th FA Cup success last season.
But Ruben Amorim’s team are on a five-game winless run in all competitions, including four defeats, with last weekend’s draw at Liverpool offering rare encouragement for their beleaguered manager.
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