Former Arsenal defender Nigel Winterburn has said that the Arsenal’s game against United on Sunday is huge for both teams. 

The Gunners will host Ruben Amorim’s side on Sunday at the Emirates as they aim to get through to the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Arsenal lost 2-0 to Newcastle in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final earlier this week, meaning that the FA Cup may be one of their only chances to win a piece of silverware this season.

The Gunners haven’t won a trophy under Mikel Arteta since the 2019/20 season when they won the FA Cup in front of an empty Wembley Stadium during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Former Arsenal defender Winterburn believes that the game will be massive for both teams, but that it is crucial that the Gunners can get the better of their Premier League rivals.

He told William Hill: “From Arsenal’s point of view, it’s crucial for them to stay in the FA Cup and not allow United to get the upper hand. It’s a huge match for both sides.

”You can feel like you’re in a strong position within the league and cup competitions, but if you take your eye off the ball in a cup competition like they did in the Carabao Cup against Newcastle, you can find yourself out of it quickly.

“Then, the next thing you know, you’re out of the next one too, and things don’t look as rosy as they did a few weeks ago. That’s the danger for Arsenal right now. They must continue to apply pressure in both the league and the cup.”

Arsenal have an outside shot at the treble with a win against United

As things stand, the Gunners remain in all four competitions that they began at the start of the season, and they can win all with differing levels of confidence.

Arsenal sit second in the Premier League currently, six points off league leaders Liverpool, who also have a game in hand on Arteta’s side. The six point deficit make every game crucial, but when the two meet on May 10, it could prove decisive for the title.

Arteta’s side look good in the Champions League, sitting third in the table with just one more game left to go in the initial ‘league phase’ of the competition.

Finally, they remain in the Carabao Cup, but damaged their chances to win the competition after a 2-0 first leg defeat to Newcastle.