Arsenalhave been drawn against Manchester United in the third round of the FA Cup and will face off against their rivals in January.
The two sides enter the tournament at this stage and will contest one of just two all-Premier League fixtures.
As the two most successful sides in FA Cup history, the Gunners and Red Devils have played out some brilliant games over the years, facing each other in the tournament on 16 occasions.
Another chapter to the tale awaits...#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/Gb70Fu8nGX
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) December 2, 2024
Arsenal has won the prestigious trophy 14 times, while United is catching up to its record, having won its 13th title last season. Despite their superiority in overall victory, the Gunners do not have the upper hand in the head-to-head.
Alan Sunderland, Steve Walford
Arsenal do not have the advantage in their FA Cup head-to-head against Manchester United. Of the 16 times the two sides have faced off in the competition, the Gunners have won six and drawn two, one stalemate being a penalty shootout victory.
The first cup encounter between the sides came in the fourth round of the 1905-06 edition of the tournament. Woolwich Arsenal came away from United with a 3-2 win. The Red Devils have made a point of building on that century-old defeat however, winning eight of their cup meetings with the Gunners since. The latest meeting came at Emirates Stadium in January 2019 with United being victorious 3-1.
Club Wins Draws Losses Goals scored Goals conceded
Arsenal 6 2 8 20 22
Man United 8 2 6 22 20
Despite their inferiority in the head-to-head, Arsenal do boast a good FA Cup record against United. They have knocked the Red Devils out of the competition on more occasions than any other side.
7 - Arsenal have eliminated Man Utd from the #FACup on more occasions than any other side in the competition (including final victories). Clash. pic.twitter.com/pHA4RupznQ
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 2, 2024
A handful of these encounters are viewed as FA Cup classics. Arsenal faced Man United in the 1979 final and ran out 3-2 victors after an 89th-minute winning goal from Alan Sunderland.
The 1999 semi-final replay saw the Gunners lose 2-1 to eventual treble winners United. Ryan Giggs won it for his side in extra time with a sensational solo effort, dribbling past five Arsenal players before firing beyond David Seaman.
Another final encounter went Arsenal's way in 2005. A 0-0 scoreline after 120 minutes of football saw the game decided by a penalty shootout for the first time in the competition's history. Paul Scholes was the only player to stutter from the spot as he saw his effort saved by Jens Lehmann. Gunners captain Patrick Vieira then stepped up to win it for his side with his last-ever kick as an Arsenal player.
This tie has certainly brought about some FA Cup classics so far and fans will be hoping January's matchup will be another - in Arsenal's favour of course! Mikel Arteta will be keen for his side to get a good result against a tough rival.