The draw for the 1/32 finals of the FA Cup produced a tie that could have been the final. Manchester United, current champions, will make their debut this season in the tournament by visiting the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal in an explosive match. Surprisingly, the two teams will meet tomorrow at the same stage in the Premier League weekday.
Arsenal and United, now directed by MIkel Arteta and Rúben Amorimleads the FA Cup record as teams have won the title the most times in history: 14 for the Gunners and 13 for the Red Devils. Their first round tie in this edition will take place between January 9 and 13, 2025.
City, Liverpool and Chelsea, against the 4th-place teams
On the other hand, the draw was kind to Manchester City, beaten in the last final by its eternal rivals United and mired in its worst crisis since the arrival of Pep Guardiola as they have to compete against Salford, from the fourth category, at the Etihad Stadium.
Also playing at home and against fourth-tier rivals Accrington Stanley, stalwart Liverpool, leaders of the Premier and Champions League, as well as Chelsea against Morecambe.
Emery against Lopetegui
There will also be a battle between Basque coaches at the crossroads between Aston Villa of Unai Emery and the highly questionable West Ham Julen Lopetegui. This is the other clash between Premier teams including Arsenal-United.
The 1/32 finals mark the entry into the competition of teams from the Premier League and Championship (2nd division).
Premier team pairings
Southampton – Swansea (2nd)
Arsenal-Manchester United
Aston Villa – West Ham
Norwich (2nd) – Brighton and Hove Albion
Manchester City – Salford City (4th)
Liverpool – Accrington Stanley (4th)
Bristol City (2nd) – Wolverhampton
Chelsea-Morecambe (4th)
Bournemouth – West Bromwich Albion (2nd)
Tamworth (5th) – Tottenham
Leicester – Queens Park Rangers (2nd)
Brentford – Plymouth (2nd)
Newcastle-Bromley (4th)
Everton – Peterborough (6th)
Nottingham – Luton (2nd)
Ipswich – Bristol Rovers (3rd)
Fulham – Watford (2nd)
Crystal Palace – Stockport (3rd)
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
