FA Cup: Alexis Sanchez will ‘love’ Arsenal return, says Man Utd boss Solskjaer
Gunners host the Red Devils in the fourth round at the Emirates
Arsenal vs. Manchester United
- What: FA Cup fourth round
- When: Friday 25 January
- Where: Emirates Stadium, London
- Kick-off time: 7.55pm
- TV channel: live on BBC One
Arsenal host Manchester United tonight in the FA Cup and the fourth-round clash will mark Alexis Sanchez’s first return to the Emirates Stadium.
The Chilean forward left Arsenal for United last January in a deal that also saw Henrikh Mkhitaryan move to north London.
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Sanchez will play a part in tonight’s cup tie and is expected to receive a “warm” welcome from the Arsenal fans. However, should the Gooner boo-boys target the 30-year-old it will only fire him up even more says United caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
“He’ll be involved,” said Solskjaer. “I think he’ll love it if the crowd turn against him. As a player, pride kicks in and you think ‘I’ll show all of you’.
“He’s been fantastic in training, his attitude has been spot on, so hopefully he’ll enjoy the game.”
Team news
Arsenal boss Unai Emery will be without Hector Bellerin after the Spanish full-back sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Unlike Sanchez, Mkhitaryan may not be fit to face his former team.
United caretaker Solskjaer is expected to rest goalkeeper David de Gea, the BBC reports, with Sergio Romero set to start. Defender Marcos Rojo and midfielder Marouane Fellaini are also out because of injury.
Possible starting XIs
How the teams could line up tonight at the Emirates Stadium, according to the London Evening Standard.
- Arsenal possible starting XI (4-1-2-1-2): Leno; Maitland-Niles, Sokratis, Koscielny, Kolasinac; Xhaka; Torreira, Guendouzi; Ozil; Lacazette, Aubameyang
- Manchester United possible starting XI (4-3-3): Romero; Young, Lindelof, Jones, Shaw; Matic, Herrera, Pogba; Lingard, Rashford, Sanchez
FA Cup fourth round fixtures and TV guide
Friday 25 January
- Bristol City vs. Bolton Wanderers (7.45pm)
- Arsenal vs. Manchester United (7.55pm, live on BBC One)
Saturday 26 January (3pm unless stated)
- Accrington Stanley vs. Derby County (12.30pm, live on BT Sport 2)
- Brighton & Hove Albion vs. West Bromwich Albion
- Doncaster Rovers vs. Oldham Athletic
- Manchester City vs. Burnley
- Middlesbrough vs. Newport County
- Newcastle United vs. Watford
- Portsmouth vs. Queens Park Rangers
- Shrewsbury Town vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Swansea City vs. Gillingham
- Millwall vs. Everton (5.30pm, live on BBC One)
- AFC Wimbledon vs. West Ham United (7.45pm, live on BT Sport 2)
Sunday 27 January
- Crystal Palace vs. Tottenham Hotspur (4pm, live on BT Sport 2)
- Chelsea vs. Sheffield Wednesday (6pm, live on BBC One)
Monday 28 January
- Barnet vs. Brentford (7.45pm, live on BT Sport 2)
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