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Arsenal’s FA Cup campaign gets underway later today when the Gunners take on the holders Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium.
It’s one cup competition to the other for Arsenal, with the Gunners falling to a 2-0 loss in their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Newcastle United in their last outing. Mikel Arteta’s side have it all to do in the second leg next month, but for now, the focus turns to the FA Cup, where Arsenal take on Man United.
Arsenal will be looking to win the FA Cup for the first time since 2020 in what remains Arteta’s only major trophy in his time in charge of the club. Recent history is in the Gunners’ favour ahead of the clash with United later today though, with their last defeat at home to Ruben Amorim’s side back in 2019.
So, can Arsenal get off to a winning start in the FA Cup later today? Let’s take a look…
Arsenal vs Man United FA Cup score predicted
To complete this simulation, we used EA FC 25 and updated the squads with the latest injuries and suspensions.
We predict that Arsenal could line up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their starting XI as follows: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Odegaard, Merino; Martinelli, Havertz, Trossard.
We predict that United could set up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with their line-up as follows: Bayindir; Yoro, Maguire, Martinez; Mazraoui, Ugarte, Mainoo, Dalot; Amad, Fernandes; Hojlund.
Like the clash with Newcastle midweek, Arsenal were slow out the gates at the Emirates, and 11 minutes in, United took the lead when Amad’s shot was saved into the path of Rasmus Hojlund for a simple tap-in. The early strike was the only memorable moment of an uneventful first half, but not long after the restart, United doubled their lead to shock the hosts.
As Bruno Fernandes drifted out to the left, the midfielder sent a fantastic through ball forward for Hojlund to chase, with the pass curling around William Saliba and through to the striker. One-on-one, Hojlund showed fantastic composure to blast his effort past David Raya at the front post, doubling the lead.
The second goal acted as a huge wake-up call for Arsenal, and just seven minutes later they responded with a goal of their own, with Kai Havertz heading home at the back post from Declan Rice’s corner. All of a sudden, the Gunners were in full control, and with seven minutes to go, they found the equaliser.
After switching to the right to accommodate substitute Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli was much more effective, taking on Leny Yoro with ease to break into the box and pick out Havertz. Under pressure, the German opened up his body as if he was going to aim for the far corner, but instead, he sent a driven shot the other way, catching out the ‘keeper to draw level.
With no replays in the FA Cup this year, the game went to extra-time, with a winner needing to be decided on the day. Despite having a two-goal lead, United were the ones who were struggling, and with 10 minutes of added time remaining, it was Arteta’s side who found the winner.
A one-two between Rice and Martin Odegaard saw the latter breeze through the tired United midfield, allowing the Norwegian to surge at Amorim’s defence. With no support, Odegaard opted to shoot, and a wonderful effort with the outside of his left boot curled into the top corner, securing a spot in the next round for Arsenal.
EA FC 25 predicted final score: Arsenal 3-2 Man United
What do you think the final score will be? Let us know in the comments!
