Arsenal Vs Manchester United: Take the FA Cup seriously

Arsenal host Manchester United in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Friday night. This is a match and a competition that Unai Emery must take seriously.

For Arsenal, the FA Cup has been very kind. It was a competition that Arsene Wenger mastered, winning it seven times in totality, including three in the final five years of his tenure. No team in the history of the competition has lifted the trophy more times than the Gunners. This is a competition that they know how to win.

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On Friday night, they will continue their first foray into the FA Cup without Wenger at the helm. Hosting Manchester United at home, Unai Emery, whose managerial career boasts great cup success at several different teams, including three successive Europa Leagues at Sevilla, will be hoping to emulate the historic success that this club has enjoyed.

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But he knows that this is a very different Man. Utd team to the one earlier in the season. Jose Mourinho has departed. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has arrived. They have not lost a game since, winning all seven that the Babyfaced Assassin has been in charge for. And Emery, speaking prior to Friday’s tie, acknowledged that this is a big test for him and his players:

"“For us, it’s good because it’s a very big test for us in this competition. Manchester United and us have played 20 finals in the FA Cup, and we’ve won 13 and they’ve won 12. For this competition, it’s the best match to play. We are looking forward to playing this match on Friday because it’s at our stadium, the Emirates, in front of our supporters. We feel very well in front of them and we want to create a new atmosphere over 90 minutes on Friday, together with our supporters.”"

I hope that Emery takes the competition seriously. The FA Cup is often maligned as a diminishing prize in world football. Teams would seemingly rather finish in fourth place and qualify for the Champions League or avoid relegation than win the FA Cup. But I have always wanted Arsenal to prioritise winning things.

For all of the progress that Liverpool and Spurs have made under Jurgen Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino, neither has yet won a trophy. That could obviously change this season, with Spurs closing in on a League Cup final appearance and Liverpool currently atop the Premier League. But it would be majorly impressive if Emery was to secure a trophy in his first season at the club.

And the FA Cup is probably his most realistic avenue. The league is gone. The Europa League will be difficult with teams like Chelsea and Lazio and Napoli all present. If Arsenal win on Friday, then Liverpool and United will already be out of the competition. Suddenly, the draw opens up somewhat.

Man. Utd come to the Emirates in terrific form. This will be no easy task. But Arsenal have been excellent at home this season, are coming off a destruction of Chelsea, and have the chance to open up the whole competition. I just hope Emery takes it seriously.