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MANCHESTER UNITED started their 2023/24 FA Cup journey against League One side Wigan – and they comfortably went through to the next round.Diego Dalot’s delicious first-half strike put the Red Devils in front.
And Bruno Fernandes’ penalty sealed the deal which means United will play either Eastleigh or Newport County.

FREE live stream: ITV X
TV channel: ITV 1
Wigan XI: Tickle; Clare, Hughes, Morrison, Sessegnon; Shaw, Adeeko; Godo, Asagaard, Jones; Humphrys
Man Utd XI: Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Evans, Dalot; McTominay, Mainoo; Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund
FA Cup fourth round draw in FULL

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Red Devils need to change focus
Man Utd entertain Tottenham at Old Trafford on Sunday.
If they hold any hope of finishing in a league position to qualify for Europe next season, they need to find some consistency.
That starts this weekend as they welcome Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs to Manchester.
Nothing but victory will do for Erik ten Hag, with the new owners watching.
Glimmers of hope for fans
Over the course of the game, you would have to say United did dominate the game and could have scored plenty more.
Rashford looked more like a player who had a hunger to try and score goals and over the course of the game had four shots on target.
Garnacho looked dangerous, as ever, but he probably has been the one shining light of this disappointing season so far.
All that said, the reality is that Man Utd were playing a League One team today and given the strength of the side they put out should be scoring more goals.
Boss gives his view on victory
The Dutch manager spoke about his side’s win at Wigan:

Hojlund still struggling for form
While the result was all that mattered tonight, Man Utd’s misfiring striker continued to struggle to find the net.
Many ex-footballers, particularly strikers, often say ‘if you keep getting yourself in the box the goals will come’.
This seems to be part of the problem for Hojlund as he isn’t making those runs often enough and picks the ball up in areas where he cannot hurt the opponents.
He had two big chances to score today, one which he headed over the bar and the other where he managed to put it wide when he had a mainly open goal to aim for.
The jury is still well and truly out on the Red Devils’ marquee summer signing.

View from the DW Stadium
Goals from Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes were enough to book United a place in the fourth round in comfortable style.
But Erik ten Hag will be concerned that his forwards Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund both had nights to forget.
It would not have flattered the Red Devils if they had scored a hatful but they wasted countless opportunities.
Latics keeper Sam Tickle and the woodwork prevented the visitors running away with it. 
Nobody could deny United were worthy winners though against a spirited but limited Wigan side.
FT: Wigan 0-2 Man Utd
It was a comfortable win in the end for Man Utd but against better sides they may have paid for their poor finishing.
Hojlund failed to score after getting his first Premier League goal after over 1000 minutes of football.
They now face either Eastleigh or Newport in the fourth round.

FT: Wigan 0-2 Man Utd
The referee brings the game to a close.
It is a routine win for Man Utd in a game they dominated.
Wigan gave a good account of themselves but they were always going to struggle against Man Utd’s first eleven.
Wigan 0-2 Man Utd
90+2. Forson and Hannibal come on for the visitors.
Was well worth the latter player asking not to be included in Tunisia’s AFCON squad to establish himself at Old Trafford.
No doubt these two minutes will be integral to that.
Wigan 0-2 Man Utd
90. Diogo Dalot is awarded the player of the match award.
It was his goal that opened the scoring with a sublime strike earlier in the game.
We are going to have four additional minutes at the DW Stadium.
Credit: Alamy
Wigan 0-2 Man Utd
88. Man Utd’s fans start singing ‘we’re going to Wembley’.
That may well happen if they can avoid drawing any side from the Premier League or top half of the Championship for the rest of the FA Cup.
Wigan continue to come forward looking for what would surely only be a consolation now.
Wigan 0-2 Man Utd
86. Hojlund feeds the ball to Rashford who looks to drop the shoulder and beat his man.
He gets to the byline and looks to cut it back into the box.
Wigan defend it well at the expense of a corner.
Wigan 0-2 Man Utd
84. Aasgaard has a shot from the edge of the box but it is always curling away from goal.
Onana goes down to make the save but then pulls away from it.
Man Utd are just looking to run down the clock now.
View from the DW Stadium
Finally United have breathing space – thanks to the skipper Bruno Fernandes.
The longer it went on with just a goal in it, the more Wigan would be fancying their chances of a replay.
Midfield pair McTominay and Mainoo had both missed chances in the second half – but Wigan had a couple of moments too
Yet Fernandes was becoming more influential and he won the spot-kick inside the last 20 minutes and then sent Tickle the wrong way from the spot.
A fourth round tie with Newport or Eastleigh is now in the bag for Erik ten Hag’s men. 
Wigan 0-2 Man Utd
82. Garnacho twists and turns on the left-hand side of the box.
He tries to get a shot away but Tickle turns it behind for a corner.
The keeper has a solid game for Wigan this evening.
Credit: PA
Wigan 0-2 Man Utd
80. Credit where it’s due to Wigan, they have made a real cup tie of this.
Man Utd have also played a big part with their poor finishing of course while we are doing shout-outs.
Erik ten Hag’s side have one foot in the fourth round now.
Wigan 0-2 Man Utd
78. Wigan are trying to throw more bodies forward now.
McManaman and Garnacho have a coming together.
Nothing doing as play continues.
Wigan 0-2 Man Utd
76. That goal pretty much puts this game to bed now.
It has to be said had this game been played with VAR, they would not have overruled the referee, that’s not their vibe.
After all, the technology does not check whether it was a penalty or not in those instances but whether the referee has made a ‘clear and obvious error’.
Wigan 0-2 Man Utd
74. Wigan can feel hard done by there with no VAR.
While there was contact, there was definitely not enough to send Fernandes to the floor.
He steps up after his miraculous recovery to slot the ball home.
One step closer to the Ballon D’Floor.
Goal – Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd)
Penalty to Man Utd
Wigan 0-1 Man Utd
70. Man Utd are looking to over-complicate things in the final third over and over again.
Too often looking to walk the ball into the back of the net.
This is starting have a bit of an Arsenal v Liverpool feeling to this game where they could be punished for their inability to score.
Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag shows the bench some snowflakes he’s spotted.
Credit: PA
Wigan 0-1 Man Utd
68. Hojlund picks up the ball and runs into the box, being forced wider and wider.
The Danish striker looks to shoot and it is an easy save for Tickle.
Might be overselling that calling it a save, more picking the ball up from the turf.
Wigan 0-1 Man Utd
66. Both McTominay and Fernandes have chances in quick succession to put the game to bed.
Wigan defend well and deflect the efforts behind for a corner.
As the hosts clear their lines Godo races clear but can only force a corner for Wigan.
Wigan 0-1 Man Utd
64. United look to switch play with Onana.
His ball out to the wing is only about ten feet over his teammates head.
Man Utd fans must really be looking forward to AFCON.
Wigan 0-1 Man Utd
62. Wigan come forward with the home fans getting behind them.
Aasgaard looks to advance but a poor touch gives the ball away.
Man Utd counter and Mainoo shoots from outside the box but Tickle gets down into the bottom corner to make a good save. More

THE FA Cup fourth round draw has concluded – and there will potentially be SIX all-Premier League ties.Tottenham have been paired in the tie of the round as they are set to host holders Manchester City.
Chelsea’s victory against Preston has earned them a tough battle with Aston Villa.
While Manchester United could have a tricky away test against Eastleigh or Newport County should they beat Wigan.

Draw start time: 7.50pm GMT (approx)
TV channel: ITV1
FREE live stream: ITVX

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Fans claim cup draw conspiracy
Tottenham fans targeted legendary ex-skipper Gary Mabbutt in an amusing conspiracy theory after he paired his old club with Manchester City in the FA Cup fourth-round draw.
Not even Mabbutt’s status as one of Spurs’ most popular players ever could save him from online teasing after he conjured a tough home clash against the 2023 Treble winners.
Tottenham have not won the Cup since Mabbutt hoisted it aloft following a 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest in the 1991 final.
At the time it meant Spurs had triumphed in the competition a record eight times.
Since then, however, Tottenham’s biggest rivals Arsenal have moved to the top of the list on 14, with Manchester United on 12.
And Liverpool, as well as Chelsea, now share third place in the table – as Spurs have been stuck on eight for 33 years.
Mabbutt’s history-making moment was not lost on Tottenham fans following Monday night’s draw.
One cheeky supporter posted: “Gary Mabbutt absolutely determined to carrying on being the last Spurs captain to lift the cup.”
Man Utd into fourth round
Manchester United have booked a place in the next round of the FA Cup after beating Wigan 2-0.
Goals from Diogo Dalot and a Bruno Fernandes sealed a comfortable win for Erik ten Hag’s side.
Elokobi delighted to draw Ipswich
Maidstone manager George Elokobi revealed his delight after his side drew Ipswich in the fourth round.
He said: “Ipswich is a fantastic club – it’s a huge club. In my opinion, they’re a Premier League club to be and rightly so.
“They’re playing incredible football under their management and we have to go there and enjoy the occasion and make sure we showcase ourselves and bring the Maidstone that everyone’s been watching and admiring.
“I’m sure the Ipswich fans will welcome us. It’s a fantastic FA Cup match for us.
“It’s going to be an amazing occasion for our group of players who have got us this far.
“The magic of the FA Cup and the dream is still very much alive here.
“In our preparations we’re going to be showing Ipswich every bit of respect leading towards that game.
“We’ll be ready to go out there and compete against a Championship team who are really well equipped to get into the Premier League.”
Wrexham mocked by upcoming opponents
Blackburn Rovers have teased Wrexham ahead of their FA Cup fourth round meeting.
Wrexham travel to Ewood Park but in their documentary ‘Welcome to Wrexham’, a map graphic of the clubs in the UK failed to include Blackburn.
Rovers shared a photo of the map alongside the caption: “See you soon, Wrexham. Let us know if you need directions? 🗺️”

Man Utd leading Wigan
Manchester United have one foot in the next round of the FA Cup as they lead Wigan 1-0 at half-time.
Just a reminder they face a trip to Newport or Eastleigh if they overcome the Latics
Fourth round date
The fourth round ties will take place on the weekend of January 27-28.
Like in the third round, some matches could be selected for TV coverage on Friday 26 and Monday 28.
Likely TV picks
Only one of Manchester United’s domestic cup ties has not featured on TV since 2006.
That means their visit to Newport or Eastleigh is almost certain to be televised – though they of course need to beat Wigan.
Elsehwere the all Prem ties between Chelsea and Aston Villa as well as Tottenham vs Manchester City will likely be shown by the BBC or ITV.
Wrexham’s trip to Blackburn could also be broadcast along with Ipswich vs Maidstone.
Fourth round draw in full
Watford vs Southampton
Blackburn Rovers vs Wrexham
Bournemouth vs Swansea
West Brom vs Brentford or Wolves
West Ham or Bristol City vs Nottingham Forest or Blackpool
Leicester vs Hull or Birmingham
Sheffield Wednesday vs Coventry
Chelsea vs Aston Villa
Ipswich vs Maidstone United
Liverpool vs Norwich or Bristol Rovers
Tottenham vs Manchester City
Leeds vs Plymouth Argyle
Crystal Palace or Everton vs Luton or Bolton
Newport or Eastleigh vs Wigan or Manchester United
Sheffield United vs Brighton
Fulham vs Newcastle
Fulham vs Newcastle
Sheffield United vs Brighton
Newport/Eastleigh vs Wigan/Manchester United
Crystal Palace/Everton vs Luton/Bolton
Leeds vs Plymouth Argyle
Tottenham vs Manchester City
Liverpool vs Norwich/Bristol Rovers
Ipswich vs Maidstone United
Chelsea vs Aston Villa
Sheffield Wednesday vs Coventry
Leicester vs Hull/Birmingham
West Ham/Bristol City vs Nottingham Forest/Blackpool
West Brom vs Brentford/Wolves
Bournemouth vs Swansea
Blackburn Rovers vs Wrexham
First up
Watford vs Southampton
Two minute warning
The FA Cup fourth round draw gets underway in a matter of minutes.
Here are the balls to look out for:
2. Wrexham
3. Liverpool
7. Tottenham
20. Wigan Athletic or Manchester United
21. Manchester City
30. Maidstone United More

THE FA Cup continues today with a bumper afternoon of third round action.Holders Manchester City have thrashed Huddersfield 5-0, while Bristol City held West Ham to a shock draw.
And Arsenal host Liverpool at the Emirates in the tie of round three.

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Up next
Following the conclusion of today’s 2pms its time to look ahead to the rest of the action to come in the FA Cup.
Arsenal take on Liverpool at home in what is the pick of the fixtures from the round.
Arsenal will be wearing an all white kit in order to aid victims of knife crime.
Full time results
Here’s the full time results for the FA Cup third round from around the country.

West Ham 1-1 Bristol City
Nottingham Forest 2-2 Blackpool
Luton 0-0 Bolton
Peterborough 0-3 Leeds
Shrewsbury 0-1 Wrexham
West Brom 4-1 Aldershot
Man City 5-0 Huddersfield

Nottingham Forest 2-2 Blackpool
League One Blackpool have held Forest to a 2-2 draw at the City Ground.
They had been leading 2-0, with Forest scoring one either side of the half-time whistle to just about spare their blushes.
Luton 0-0 Bolton FULL TIME
League one bolton have held Premier League Luton to a draw at Kenilworth Road,
There’ll be a replay at the Tough Sheet Stadium.
West Brom 4-0 Aldershot – GOAL!
88′ Tom Fellows’ strike makes it 4-0 to West Brom.
They’ve absolutely cruised past non-league Aldershot today.
Can Forest stop a shock? Nottingham Forest 2-2 Blackpool
Forest have come back from two goals down against Blackpool to potentially put stop to a huge upset.
Blackpool led Forest 2-1 at half-time but Morgan Gibbs-White’s 59th minute equaliser has spared their blushes for now.
Manchester city 5-0 Huddersfield GOAL!
Kevin De Bruyne with an assist for Jeremy Doku on his return to the side.
The midfielder found his compatriot at the back post with Doku firing home on the volley.
Credit: PA
Manchester City 4-0 Huddersfield – GOAL!
65′ Phil Foden makes it four to the holders with a wonderful finish.
The midfielder slotted the ball into the bottom corner from the edge of the area in what is increasingly becoming a trademark.
Shrewsbury 0-1 Wrexham – GOAL!
Hollywood Wrexham make it 1-0 with a goal through Thomas O’Connor.
It’s been a complete deadlock so far but Wrecham’s quality has ultimately shone through.
Manchester City 3-0 Huddersfield – GOAL!
58′ Manchester City have made it 3-0 as the holders continue to stroll past Huddersfield.
A deflected Oscar Bobb compounds Huddersfield’s misery… Just as Kevin De Bruyne comes on.
How many could City rack up?
Peterborough 0-2 Leeds – GOAL!
47. Leeds have made it 2-0 thanks to an unbelievable strike from Patrick Bamford.
The striker took the ball down with his chest before volleying it on the turn past the Peterborough keeper.
Credit: Rex
Third Round half-time scores
The half-time whistle has now blown in all of this afternoon’s third round ties, and here is the current state of play.

Luton 0-0 Bolton
Man City 2-0 Huddersfield
Nott’m Forest 1-2 Blackpool
Peterborough 0-1 Leeds
Shrewsbury 0-0 Wrexham
West Brom 3-0 Aldershot
West Ham 1-0 Bristol City

League One Blackpool are 45 minutes away from a Premier League scalp, leading 2-1 at Nottingham Forest, while Bolton are currently holding Luton at Kenilworth Road.
But there are no shocks as far as holders Man City, West Ham and West Brom are concerned with all three sides leading in front of their own fans.
The fierce derby between League One Shrewsbury and League Two Wrexham is goalless at the break.

West Ham 1-0 Bristol City
44. Since scoring the first goal of the day, it hasn’t exactly gone according to plan for David Moyes.
The Hammers still lead their Championship opponents, but have lost both Lucas Paqueta and Konstantinos Mavropanos to injuries in the first half.
Nott’m Forest 1-2 Blackpool – GOAL!
39. The Premier League side have one back!
Argentines combine as a pinpoint cross from Gonzalo Montiel on the right is met powerfully by the head of Nicolas Dominguez.
No chance, Daniel Grimshaw! Back in with a chance, Nottingham Forest!

Man City 2-0 Huddersfield – GOAL!
37. Have the floodgates opened at the Etihad?
Manchester City have a quickfire second after passing Huddersfield into submission in and around the box.
After some intricate one-touch stuff, Rico Lewis steers an effort towards the far post and Julian Alvarez finishes off.

Peterborough 0-1 Leeds – GOAL!
34. Leeds lead at London Road!
The Championship outfit catch Posh cold with a quick free-kick, and Ethan Ampadu is on hand to convert his first goal for the club.
Daniel Farke’s visitors are looking pretty in pink.

Man City 1-0 Huddersfield – GOAL!
33. Huddersfield Town have performed admirably at the FA Cup holders this afternoon, but they’ve finally been undone by Pep Guardiola’s relentless machine.
It’s a typically-composed finish from Phil Foden, who is first on to Julian Alvarez’s deflected shot, eventually smashing his own into the roof of the net.
West Brom 3-0 Aldershot – GOAL!
27. What a moment for Daryl Dike!
Back in the West Brom starting line-up after eight months out with an Achilles tendon injury, and he’s already among the goals.
The American striker powers in a superb volley just shy of the half hour mark, and it already means that there’s no way back for National League Aldershot.

Nott’m Forest 0-2 Blackpool – GOAL!
27. It’s two in two minutes for the Seasiders!
This time, Albie Morgan is the man in the right place this time, sliding in CJ Hamilton’s cross at the far post to double the League One side’s advantage.
The Nottingham Forest fans are not impressed with what they’re seeing. Cooper out? Oh, hang on…

Nott’m Forest 0-1 Blackpool – GOAL!
25. We have a potential upset on the cards at the City Ground where League One Blackpool have edged in front against the Premier League hosts.
And it’s the former Nottingham Forest man, Jordan Gabriel, who has grabbed the opener.
The defender took advantage of a poor clearance to loop his header past Odysseas Vlachodimos.

Man City 0-0 Huddersfield
18. No goals so far at the Etihad, but Pep Guardiola does have some cause for concern.
Manuel Akanji has been forced off early after being on the receiving end of a heavy challenge from Huddersfield debutant Alex Matos, on loan from Chelsea.
Matheus Nunes is on in place for the defender which is likely to see Rico Lewis shit from midfield to the back line.
West Brom 2-0 Aldershot – GOAL!
15. About that hard uphill task… it’s a mountain now!
Jovan Malcolm capitalises on a mistake at the back, and races through to fire low past Jordi van Stappershoef.
It’s a thoroughly professional job so far from the Baggies, and Aldershot are unlikely to be joining fellow non-league club Maidstone in the fourth round draw.
West Brom 1-0 Aldershot – GOAL!
7. From West Ham to West Brom.
Albion have an early lead against their non-league counterparts courtesy of Nathan Chalobah.
The former Fulham man wallops Tom Fellows’ cut-back into the top corner from 12 yards out, and a tough ask for the National Leaguers has just got that bit harder.
West Ham 1-0 Bristol City – GOAL!
4. Fancy another cup run, West Ham fans?
This season’s stint in the FA Cup has got off to the best possible start with Jarrod Bowen bagging his 14th goal of the season in all competitions.
The England international latches on to Pablo Fornals’ clipped through ball, and cooly rounds Max O’Leary to score.

Underway on third round Sunday
Whistles have been blown around seven stadiums of varying quality and character, and this afternoon’s FA Cup ties are go. More

ARSENAL are hosting Liverpool in a mouthwatering FA Cup third round clash at the Emirates!The Gunners have headed into the match on the back of a horror run of back to back defeats in the Premier League.
While Liverpool sit at the top of the league but do go into this one with star man Mo Salah who has joined up with Egypt at AFCON.

Kick-off time: 4.30pm
TV channel/ live stream: BBC One/ BBC iPlayer
Arsenal XI: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Rice, Jorginho, Odegaard; Saka, Nelson, Havertz
Liverpool XI: Alisson; Gomez, Konate, Quansah, Alexander-Arnold; Elliot, Jones, Mac Allister, Diaz, Nunez, Gakpo
Explainer: When is the fourth round draw?

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Liverpool match up to Arsenal’s 4-3-3
Alexis Mac Allister returns to Liverpool, and slots straight into the heart of Jurgen Klopp’s midfield, where the Argentine will be flanked by youngsters Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott.
Meanwhile, Joe Gomez continues to fill in at left-back with Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas injured while 20-year-old Jarrell Quansah makes his first ever appearance in the FA Cup.

Havertz up top of hosts
Jorginho’s inclusion in the Arsenal midfield this afternoon means that Kai Havertz will move into a more advanced role, joining Bukayo Saka and Reiss Nelson in the front three.
Meanwhile, it is expected that Declan Rice plays on the right of midfield with captain Martin Odegaard on the left.
Oleksandr Zinchenko has still not shaken off his injury so Jakub Kiwior continues at left-back.

Klopp selects strong Liverpool line-up
Jurgen Klopp makes four changes for today’s cup tie at Arsenal, all of which are enforced.
Mo Salah and Wataru Endo are away with their countries at their respective international tournaments while Virgil van Dijk is ill and Dominik Szoboszlai is injured.
As a result, in come Jarell Quansah, Alexis Mac Allister, Harvey Elliott and Cody Gakpo.

Liverpool (4-3-3): 1 Alisson; 66 Alexander-Arnold. 78 Quansah, 5 Konate, 2 Gomez; 19 Elliott, 10 Mac Allister, 17 Jones; 18 Gakpo, 9 Nunez, 7 Diaz
Subs: 62 Kelleher, 20 Jota, 38 Gravenberch, 42 Clark, 44 Chambers, 49 Gordon, 53 McConnell, 84 Bradley, 98 Nyoni
Credit: @Liverpool Twitter
Ramsdale returns for Arteta’s Arsenal
Mikel Arteta makes three changes to the Arsenal side beaten by Fulham on New Year’s Eve.
Aaron Ramsdale, as the Gunners’ designated domestic cup goalkeeper, comes back into the side in place of David Raya.
There are also starting berths for Jorginho and Reiss Nelson, who replace Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah.

Arsenal (4-3-3): 1 Ramsdale; 4 White, 2 Saliba, 6 Gabriel, 15 Kiwior; 41 Rice, 20 Jorginho, 8 Odegaard; 7 Saka, 29 Havertz, 24 Nelson
Subs: 22 Raya, 10 Smith Rowe, 11 Martinelli, 14 Nketiah, 17 Cedric, 19 Trossard, 63 Nwaneri, 76 Walters, Sousa
Credit: @Arsenal Twitter
Arsenal relaunch No More Red campaign
Arsenal will wear an all-white home kit this afternoon for the first time in their history to raise awareness of the club’s campaign against knife crime and youth violence.
In association with Adidas, the Gunners’ No More Red initiative continues after its initial launch in January 2022.
It has previously seen Arsenal wear white in away games such as the FA Cup third round tie at Oxford this time last year, but doing so at the Emirates breaks new ground.
Today’s opponents Liverpool will support Arsenal’s campaign by wearing their changed strip of purple.

Gunners evens to prevail
It’s just 15 days since nothing could separate these sides at Anfield, but the bookmakers believe that home advantage is enough to give Arsenal the edge this afternoon.
The Gunners are priced at evens to get the better of the team currently top of the Premier League with the draw that neither club wants chalked up at 13/5; Liverpool are a 12/5 shot.

Arsenal win Evs
Draw 13/5
Liverpool win 12/5

Mind you, if you do believe that the draw could be a factor, and it may take a replay for one of these giants to progress then maybe the tie’s outright betting is the way to go.

Arsenal to qualify 8/11
Liverpool to qualify 11/10

Odds from Paddy Power correct at the time of post publication.
Hello and welcome to Arsenal vs Liverpool
Arsenal are facing Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium today in a massive FA Cup third-round clash!
The Gunners have completely capitulated from when they were top of the tree at Christmas with just one win in their last six games.
Mikel Arteta’s men suffered two consecutive London derby defeats to West Ham and Fulham which has now seen them plummet down to fourth in the Premier League table.
While their opponents Liverpool capitalised by beating Newcastle and replacing Arsenal at the summit.
But this weekend’s match is all about the FA Cup – a competition that no other side has lifted more than the Gunners.
Liverpool are a team in form who will be heading into the fixture full of confidence and present Arteta’s men with a tough challenge.
The two sides put on a show when they met in the league last month and played out a high quality 1-1 draw at Anfield. More

IT doesn’t get much better than an action-packed FA Cup weekend – with several blockbuster clashes happening right now and more on the way later.Newcastle cruised past Sunderland with a 3-0 win at the home of their bitter rivals, while League One Stevenage suffered a shock early exit to non-league Maidstone.
But now, there are 10 more games underway before Chelsea welcome Championship side Preston to Stamford Bridge in one of four games at 5.30pm.
And High-flying Aston Villa host Manchester United legend Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough.

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FA Cup half-time scores
Blackburn 3-2 Cambridge Utd
Gillingham 0-2 Sheff Utd
Hull 0-1 Birmingham
Newport 0-0 Eastleigh
Norwich 1-1 Bristol Rovers
Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Sutton Utd
QPR 2-0 Bournemouth
Southampton 1-0 Walsall
Stoke 1-1 Brighton
Watford 0-1 Chesterfield
Stoke 1-1 Brighton
As the hosts fail to clear their lines, Brighton get back on level terms in the sixth minute of added time in the first half.
Pervis Estupinan is the scorer for Roberto de Zerbi’s side.
That might change what he has to say to his team during the interval.
Blackburn 3-2 Cambridge Utd
Sam Szmodics ends a perfect half for the striker as he completes his hat-trick.
Breaking the hearts of the visitors, his form this season has seen him become the top scorer in the division.
Great comeback by the Championship side after going behind twice.
QPR 2-0 Bournemouth
Sinclair Armstrong puts the Championship side in the lead.
Armstrong bends one in the far corner, no more than they have deserved in this game.
Lyndon Dykes then doubles their lead as QPR score two goals in the space of a minute after having only managed that feat in six games before today.
Premier League Bournemouth are up against it now.
Credit: Reuters
Red card – George Langston (Eastleigh)
Blackburn 2-2 Cambridge Utd
Sam Szmodics has equalised for Blackburn Rovers.
It is end to end stuff at Ewood Park.
Don’t think we have seen the last of the goals in this one today.
Watford 0-1 Chesterfield
Joe Quigley has put the National League side ahead at Championship Watford.
The visitors have taken a staggering 4,000 fans Vicarage Road.
A trip being made well worth it by their team right now.
Blackburn 1-2 Cambridge Utd
Sam Szmodics has drawn the Championship side level.
Just as it seemed they could be on the receiving end of an FA Cup upset.
Jon Dahl Tomasson will be pleased to see his side get back on level terms at Ewood Park.
However, it is all short-lived as Cambridge go straight down the other end to take the lead once again.
Sullay Kaikai scores for the visitors to send their fans into raptures.
Credit: PA
Credit: Getty
Hull 0-1 Birmingham
Fresh from the departure of manager Wayne Rooney, Birmingham City take the lead in this one.
Lukas Jutkiewicz heads home from the penalty spot to send the away fans wild.
Rooney will no doubt be watching on to see how his old club do without him.
Norwich 1-1 Bristol Rovers
Grant Ward has drawn the visitors level at Carrow Road.
So much for that cup run for David Wagner.
Bristol Rovers have been in free-scoring form this season and continue at their Championship opponents today.
Stoke 1-0 Brighton
Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke has turned into his own net to give Stoke City the lead.
Good pressure by the hosts but The Seagulls’ defender could not sort his feet out and beat his own keeper.
We could be seeing a Premier League scalp in this one.
Gillingham 0-1 Sheff Utd
Will Osula has given the Premier League outfit the lead on the road.
The keeper could have done better with the shot but the visitors take the lead.
No cup upset on the cards in this one it seems.
Norwich 1-0 Bristol Rovers
No surprises in this one as the Championship outfit take an early lead.
Ashley Barnes notches for The Canaries against their League One opponents.
David Wagner will be hoping his side can go on a cup run this season.
Credit: Getty
Blackburn 0-1 Cambridge Utd
League One Cambridge Utd have taken the lead at Championship Blackburn Rovers.
Jack Lankester netted for the visitors after six minutes.
Potential shock on the cards if they can hold onto this one.
Southampton 1-0 Walsall
Ryan Fraser has put The Saints ahead after only six minutes.
The hosts start the game with lots of pressure on the visitors from League Two.
They are up against it now, trailing to their Championship opponents.
Stones head into fourth round
Maidstone Utd of the National League South, become the first team to make it to the fourth round from that tier of the league since Havant & Waterlooville in 2007.
Corne slotted home a penalty to put them in Monday’s draw.
They will be hoping they can draw a big side at home in the next round.
FA Cup actions comes thick and fast
Here are the 3pm kick-offs this afternoon:
Blackburn Rovers vs Cambridge Utd
Gillingham vs Sheff Utd
Hull City vs Birmingham City
Newport County vs Eastleigh
Norwich City vs Bristol Rovers
Plymouth Argyle vs Sutton Utd
QPR vs Bournemouth
Southampton vs Walsall
Stoke City vs Brighton
Watford vs Chesterfield
Bruno pulling strings in midfield
Bruno Guimaraes was awarded the man of the match award against Sunderland today.
It was a combative performance by the Brazilian, who covered a lot of ground for his side during the game.
He bossed the Sunderland midfield and was the one of the differences between the two sides.

FA Cup third round full-time scores
AFC Wimbledon 1-3 Ipswich Town
Coventry City 6-2 Oxford United
Maidstone United 1-0 Stevenage
Millwall 2-3 Leicester City
Sunderland 0-3 Newcastle
FT: Sunderland 0-3 Newcastle
Newcastle win the Wear-Tyne derby in comfortable fashion.
It could have been a lot different but the Black Cats had a frustrating day at the office.
They scored an own goal, gifted the second to the visitors and gave away a penalty for the third goal.

FT: Sunderland 0-3 Newcastle
The referee brings the game to a close.
It is a comfortable win for Newcastle in the derby.
Eddie Howe’s side head into the fourth round of the cup.
Sunderland 0-3 Newcastle
90+2. Newcastle make a host of changes in added time.
Dummett, Livramento and Ritchie all come on for the visitors.
They will have limited time to have an impact on this game.
Sunderland 0-3 Newcastle
90. Isak sends the keeper the wrong way and buries it in the bottom corner of the goal.
It is the icing on the cake for Eddie Howe’s side.
The rash challenge from Ballard on Gordon gave the penalty away.
Sunderland fans head to the exits now.
Goal – Alexander Isak (Newcastle)
Penalty to Newcastle More

PEDRO PORRO showed Trent Alexander-Arnold he has some competition for the title of most electrifying right-back-turned-playmaker around.This game was looking like the first dull encounter of the Ange Postecoglou era and heading towards an unwanted replay.
Pedro Porro produced the big moment of quality to send Spurs in round fourCredit: Getty
Porro wellied it past Burnley keeper Aro MuricCredit: Getty
Muric could only watch it fly past himCredit: Rex
That was until Porro, Spurs’ shining light all game, stole the ball in the 78th minute and let fly from 25 yards.
The Spaniard could not have hit it any sweeter, as it flew into the top corner with all the laser-like precision of a vintage Cristiano Ronaldo howitzer.
Porro has been a revelation this season under Postecoglou, quietly undergoing one of the most impressive full-back transformations since Patrice Evra all those years ago at Manchester United.
Evra famously struggled during his first six months in English football but then went on to become a United legend.
It is fair to say Porro had a nightmare in the second half of last season, after arriving from Sporting Lisbon, amid the end of the Antonio Conte era and the chaos that followed it.
Fans were left wondering just what Postecoglou was going to do with the Spain international, who did not start the first game of the season at Brentford.
The answer has been to turn him into one of the most creative players in the league who, like Alexander-Arnold, makes a mockery of his alleged right-back position by popping up all over the shop and making things happen.
Spurs badly needed him here as they looked out of ideas without all their injured players and particularly inspirational captain Son Heung-min, who has jetted off to the Asian Cup with South Korea.
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In fairness to Postecoglou, he went as full strength as he could – not that he had an excuse not to, given how few games there are this month.
Spurs were boosted by the return to the bench of star defender Micky van de Ven after two months out with a hamstring problem. Within a minute, fans were singing the Dutchman’s name.
Unlike their hosts, Burnley did make changes – five in total – and it was fresh face Anass Zaroury who was the centre of attention in the early stages.
First, the Moroccan risked giving away a penalty with a clumsy tackle on Destiny Udogie that VAR looked at but agreed with on-field ref Sam Barrott’s decision not to give a spot-kick.
Then Zaroury stung the fingertips of Guglielmo Vicario with a fizzing drive from distance.
In the 16th minute, nigh-on all of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, including Postecoglou, were applauding in honour of 16-year-old Spurs fan Harry Pitman, who was tragically stabbed to death on New Year’s Eve.
Without Son, the goal-scoring burden fell even more on Richarlison, who has finally found his shooting boots for Spurs over the festive period with five goals in as many games.
But he still has a long way to convince the fanbase he is good enough to be a regular for them.
Zeki Amdouni missed a sitter at the end after keeper Muric won a header in the Spurs boxCredit: Reuters

And the way he squandered two first-half chances, weakly firing at the keeper, will have done little to persuade them.
Burnley should have taken the lead when Zaroury impudently flicked the ball over the Spurs backline to play in team-mate Zeki Amdouni, who somehow got it stuck under his feet and then blazed over from a few yards out.
Spurs tried to up the tempo after the break – during which Burnley’s star striker Lyle Foster was subbed off – but they lacked creativity.
The absentee list, which also included James Maddison and Manor Solomon, was telling.
Postecoglou took action by bringing on Bryan Gil for Gio Lo Celso and moving Dejan Kulusevski into the middle.
It did not appear to have the desired effect and as Richarlison failed to make the most of another opening in the Burnley box, a replay looked inevitable.

Yet from the resulting move, as Muric threw the ball out to sub Ameen Al-Dakhil, Porro burst into action to change the narrative.
He tackled Al-Dakhil, drove towards the box, took aim and let fly.
It whistled into the top corner for a magnificent first goal of the season and one worthy of winning any game. 
Spurs almost made it 2-0 when sub Ryan Sessegnon making a surprise return after a lengthy spell out with a hamstring problem saw Muric tip his shot wide.
Muric then went up for a Burnley corner deep into seven minutes of stoppage time, but Spurs held out to ensure it was Porro’s day.
The 24-year-old told SunSport in an exclusive interview that there is a saying in Spain that “the sun will come up tomorrow” – ie that better times will be ahead, no matter how gloomy things look.
After last season’s misery, a new day has certainly dawned for Porro in N17.
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BOBBY DE CORDOVA-REID survived a mass rotation to fire Fulham into the fourth round of the FA Cup.The winger was just one of three players to keep his place in the starting XI that beat Arsenal last Sunday.
Bobby De Cordova-Reid fired the only goal in the first halfCredit: Reuters
De Cordova-Reid celebrates his FA Cup winnerCredit: Getty

And after scoring the winner to down the Gunners last weekend, De Cordova-Reid scored again to see off stubborn Rotherham.
But where Fulham showed power and panache to see off last season’s Premier League runners up with a brilliant fightback, they struggled against the Championship’s bottom team.
De Cordova-Reid’s classy first half strike was one of few highlights in a gritty performance that nonetheless opens up a second cup front for Marco Silva’s in-form team. 
With a trip to Liverpool high in the manager’s mind for next Wednesday’s Carabao Cup semi final first leg, Silva took the opportunity against such lowly opposition to rest most of his key men.
In particular, the absence of midfield general Palhinha always leaves a hole and there is no doubt that the home team’s tempo was down a notch or two compared to recent games without him.
Even so, you shouldn’t have to be on tip top form when hosting a side that hasn’t felt the thrill of victory on the road in any shape or form since November 2022.
That is now 29 successive games for the long-suffering Yorkshire club’s fans who rallied around 500 hardy souls for a Friday night trip to South West London in faint hope of a rare away win.
Silva made eight changes to the team which fought back from a goal down against Arsenal at the weekend to claim a spirited 2-1 victory.

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He at least kept faith with De Cordova-Reid against the ailing Millers and it proved decisive.
After 24 minutes of toying around, Fulham finally got the breakthrough but thanks to a defensive lapse.
Left back Sebastian Revan, on loan at Rotherham from Aston Villa, cracked under pressure trying to play his way out of his goal area.
His rash clearance only found its way as far as De Cordova-Reid on the edge of the box who hammered a right foot shot into the top corner with his second touch.
Harrison Reed later hit the post and Wilson also went close but scuffed a shot from the edge of the area.
Millers’ keeper Viktor Johansson then saved one-handed from a Tosin header and again stopped a powerful drive from Wilson as the struggling second tier side put up a surprisingly stubborn rearguard fight while failing to register a single shot on target.
Despite their superiority, Silva still had to bring on fresh faces deep into the second half to inject some energy into the performance.
Club captain Tom Cairney and Brazilian winger Willian came off the bench with 16 minutes left.
With just thirty seconds of five minutes added time left, Fulham squandered a cracking chance to seal the game.
They broke free from their own half with Willian on the ball and sub striker Carlos Vinicius in hot pursuit.
But the two Brazilians failed to summon up any Samba soccer magic and Vinicius rolled a lame shot straight at the keeper when put clean through by his fellow countryman.
Rotherham defender Sebastian Revan outleaps Fulham’s Rodrigo MunizCredit: AFP More