Arsenal’s FA Cup draw against Manchester United adds to a busy London schedule, with 14 of 15 matches potentially played in the capital
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London: Arsenal has drawn Manchester United in the FA Cup third round, adding another London fixture to their packed schedule. This match will take place on the weekend of January 11th.
The FA Cup draw included all remaining teams, and Arsenal found themselves facing a big-six rival once again. Last year, they played Liverpool in the same round.
Many fans feel that both Arsenal and Manchester United might have preferred to face lower-league teams. Other big-six teams drew easier opponents, like Manchester City against Salford City.
Arsenal’s match against United comes just days before the north London derby against Tottenham on January 15th. They also have a game against Aston Villa shortly after.
With a busy schedule ahead, Arsenal would have preferred a less challenging opponent to help rest their players before these crucial matches.
If Arsenal wins their League Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace, they will have a semi-final match on January 8th. This could make their schedule even tighter.
In the semi-final, they could face teams like Spurs, United, Newcastle, and Liverpool, all of which are tough opponents. This could lead to a series of challenging games in a short time.
On a positive note, Arsenal’s next 13 matches include 12 games in London. After their recent match against West Ham, they could play 14 out of 15 fixtures in the capital.
The only exception would be an away game against Brighton on January 4th. This reduced travel time might benefit the team as they prepare for tough opponents.
While the fixtures may be challenging, the familiarity of playing in London could help Mikel Arteta’s team focus and perform better.