The Emirates Stadium at night.

Arsenal v United: All the essential info

Wednesday 23 January 2019 10:35

With seven wins from the last seven games, Manchester United will look to continue our unbeaten run under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, against Arsenal in the Emirates FA Cup fourth-round tie on Friday night.

The Reds and the Gunners have a rich history in the famous competition, having met on 15 previous occasions. However, this will be our first trip to the Emirates Stadium in the FA Cup. 

As we approach five years since the last goalless draw between the two sides, an exciting encounter is in prospect and a place in the fifth-round draw, which will take place on Monday night, is up for grabs. 

Scroll down for our guide to the big game... 

Arsenal v United: Key match details
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Friday 25 January 2019 | Emirates FA Cup | Old Trafford | 19:55 GMT kick-off | Live build-up on MUTV from 18:30 GMT | Referee: Craig Pawson

WHAT'S THE TEAM NEWS?

Solskjaer confirmed to the media on Thursday that Alexis Sanchez will be involved against his former club after missing the last two games through injury but Marouane Fellaini, Chris Smalling and Marcos Rojo will be again be unavailable through injury. Ole added that Smalling is back in training and hopefully will be able to return next week. Luke Shaw also returns after being taken ill in the warm-up before last weekend's win over Brighton, when he was replaced by Diogo Dalot in the starting XI. 

WHAT ABOUT ARSENAL?

The hosts have been dealt a severe blow with the news that Hector Bellerin will be out of action for the rest of the season after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in last Saturday's 2-0 home victory over Chelsea. The Spanish full-back joins fellow defender Rob Holding and former United striker Danny Welbeck on the sidelines, as the pair are also recovering from long-term injuries. Former Reds midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is back in training but looks set to miss out after fracturing a metatarsal recently. 

HOW HAVE ARSENAL BEEN DOING?

Following back-to-back defeats in their opening two Premier League fixtures, Unai Emery's side embarked on an impressive 22-game unbeaten run, which included 13 consecutive victories in all competitions. After finally coming unstuck against Southampton in mid-December, the hosts have hit a sticky patch of form of late, with a 1-0 defeat at West Ham United a fortnight ago in stark contrast to last weekend's 2-0 win over Chelsea. Despite being knocked out by Championship side Nottingham Forest in the third round last season, the Gunners have enjoyed success in the FA Cup in recent years, winning the competition in three of the last five seasons. In this season's third round, the north London outfit were comfortable 3-0 winners over League One side Blackpool at Bloomfield Road. 

OUR RECORD AGAINST THE GUNNERS

United have lost only five games in just under 11 years against Arsenal in all competitions. Friday's hosts have become a team that the Reds tend to revel against, with United winning eight Premier League games away against the Gunners - more than any other team. Our most recent visit to the Emirates Stadium was in December 2017, where goals from Antonio Valencia and Jesse Lingard (2), as well as some heroic goalkeeping from David De Gea, secured a 3-1 victory for us in a thrilling contest under the lights. 

Arsenal v United
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Unai Emery took charge of Arsenal in May following the departure of Arsene Wenger. The Spaniard has managed 33 matches for the Gunners in that time: winning 21, drawing six and losing six.

ONE TO WATCH

With 14 Premier League goals to his name this season, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been a potent finisher for the Gunners. The Gabonese striker only sits behind Harry Kane and Mo Salah in the race for the Premier League Golden Boot and has been helped by fellow striker Alexandre Lacazette and Welsh midfielder Aaron Ramsey, who have assisted 12 of Aubameyang's goals between them. After joining Arsenal on transfer deadline day in January last year, the 29-year-old went on to score 10 goals during the second half of the campaign. The arrival of Unai Emery in the summer, following the departure of Arsene Wenger, has seen Aubameyang already improve on that tally but the former Borussia Dortmund man has not scored for Arsenal since New Year's Day. 

WHO IS THE REFEREE?

Craig Pawson will be the man in the middle for Friday night's cup tie. The 39-year-old referee from Sheffield will take charge of his second United fixture of the season, having been in charge for the Reds' 3-0 defeat to Tottenham back in August. Pawson will be assisted by Eddie Smart and Constantine Hatzidakis. Paul Tierney, who took charge of last weekend's 2-1 win over Brighton, will be the fourth official. Chris Kavanagh will be the Video Assistant Referee, with the assistance of Gary Beswick. This will be United's third match of the campaign in which VAR will be in operation, ahead of the technology being introduced in the Champions League next month and the Premier League next season. 

VAR will be in operation during our FA Cup tie against Arsenal.

WHAT ARE THE OTHER FOURTH-ROUND TIES?

Arsenal and United are two of 13 top-flight clubs remaining in the competition, with three other all-Premier League ties to be played over the course of the weekend. The lowest-ranked side left in the competition is Barnet from the National League, who take on Brentford on Monday night. Here's the full fixture list... 

FRIDAY 25 JANUARY
Bristol City v Bolton Wanderers (19:45 GMT)
Arsenal v Manchester United (19:55 GMT)

SATURDAY 26 JANUARY
Accrington Stanley v Derby County (12:30 GMT)
Brighton & Hove Albion v West Bromwich Albion
Doncaster Rovers v Oldham Athletic
Manchester City v Burnley
Middlesbrough v Newport County
Newcastle United v Watford
Portsmouth v Queens Park Rangers
Shrewsbury Town v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Swansea City v Gillingham
Millwall v Everton (17:30 GMT)
AFC Wimbledon v West Ham United (19:45 GMT)

SUNDAY 27 JANUARY
Crystal Palace v Tottenham Hotspur (16:00 GMT)
Chelsea v Sheffield Wednesday (18:00 GMT)

MONDAY 28 JANUARY
Barnet v Brentford (19:45 GMT)

Matches kick off at 15:00 GMT unless stated. 

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