10 Key Moments from the Weekend’s FA Cup Third Round Action

All managers in the Premier League are facing pressure, including those at Arsenal. Mikel Arteta, in particular, is feeling the weight of this pressure and if the team’s results do not improve quickly, he will be under an even greater amount of stress. While Arteta has been successful in his role over the past few seasons, he has also been given financial resources and now has a preferred player for each position, as well as backup options. This means that success is no longer seen as a bonus, but rather a necessity. However, opposing teams have become more adept at stopping Arteta’s team by focusing on shutting down their wide attackers and forcing play to the center, where only Martin Ødegaard is able to create consistent opportunities. The team also lacks a dependable goal scorer to salvage poor performances or ensure that good ones do not go unrewarded, as was the case against Liverpool. While bringing in a new striker may help, Arteta must also make changes to his team’s playing style quickly to prevent the season from slipping away and losing the support of his players.

Sunderland has had a humbling few days, as they were outmatched by Newcastle. Their possession-focused approach was easily exposed by a skilled pressing team, and their lack of speed and height in the forward positions left them with no other options. Additionally, the club’s off-field issues were brought to light when they made the mistake of decorating the Black Cats Bar with rival team slogans, causing frustration among fans who feel neglected by the new leadership. While it is recognized that Kyril Louis-Dreyfus inherited a difficult situation, the club has made progress under his ownership and is currently on the brink of qualifying for the playoffs with improved finances. However, the state of the Stadium of Light continues to decline, with leaking roofs, malfunctioning hand dryers, and a general need for maintenance. What was once a valuable asset now appears run-down and neglected. Jonathan Wilson.

Roberto De Zerbi praised the skills of Jan Paul van Hecke and Billy Gilmour, who are considered among Brighton’s top players. Gilmour initially struggled to earn playing time last season and there were doubts about his success since joining from Chelsea. However, in the recent match against Stoke, he performed well in the midfield against a tough opponent in the Championship, helping Brighton to gradually find their rhythm. He consistently made smart passes to break through the defense and maintained his composure while other players like Van Hecke made attacking runs. While João Pedro may be grabbing the attention, there are several Brighton players who are consistently improving under De Zerbi’s guidance. Gilmour has already played more games this season compared to last and is expected to play a crucial role for Scotland in the Euros – he is ready to take on a leading role. Will Unwin

The return of Kevin De Bruyne in the 57th minute against Huddersfield was eagerly awaited. His presence has been missed by City, despite their current position at the top of the Premier League. While Rodri has been a strong leader for the team, no one, not even among City’s talented squad, can match De Bruyne’s skills as the creative director and inspiration of the team. His hair is now longer and his body more muscular compared to last season. De Bruyne played through a snapped hamstring, sacrificing himself for the team, but now he is back in action. In his absence, Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva have showcased their abilities, but they do not possess De Bruyne’s direct and dynamic style of play. They also do not have the same intuitive connection with Erling Haaland, who has also been absent recently. De Bruyne is now 32 years old and frequent injuries can affect even the best players. City fans should cherish him while he is still playing for the team. John Brewin

Armando Broja listened to Mauricio Pochettino’s helpful feedback after Chelsea’s victory against Preston. Pochettino was pleased with the striker’s impressive goal, but suggested that he should show more positivity. Broja stated, “As the coach mentioned, I could improve my body language. Sometimes I am too critical of myself. The manager is trying to alleviate some pressure off me. I am taking his advice to heart because he has been supporting me every day. I just need to smile more and have a more positive attitude.” Scoring the first goal with a fantastic header was cause for celebration. Broja aims to build momentum after recovering from a serious knee injury. He added, “When you go through a dry spell of not scoring, it can be discouraging. It’s not the best feeling, but scoring a goal in a game like this makes up for it.” Jacob Steinberg

Nuno Espírito Santo proposes the elimination of FA Cup replays. The head coach of Nottingham Forest expressed his belief that the matches should be decided on the same day they are played. If Forest had won against a team from a lower league, they would have had a two-week break before their upcoming game against Brentford. However, this change in plans now needs to be adjusted. Nuno’s views are shared by other Premier League managers, including Mikel Arteta and Jürgen Klopp. However, those in lower leagues do not have much sympathy for this proposal. Neil Critchley, the head coach of Blackpool, pointed out that this is their 35th game of the season, while Premier League teams have not played as many games and also have international breaks and time off. He acknowledges the differences in resources and facilities between the leagues but believes it is part of the game and they should just focus on playing. Many traditionalists of the FA Cup will support this mentality.

Matty Cash’s goal in the dying minutes of Aston Villa’s match against Middlesbrough secured their spot in the FA Cup fourth round, a feat that they haven’t achieved since 2016. Despite their previous defeat against Stevenage last year, this victory marks a positive turn for the eight-time FA Cup champions. Manager Unai Emery even mentioned that the team had discussed their past loss in the days leading up to the game. With a weekend break from the intense Premier League, Aston Villa was determined to break the curse and secure a spot in the next round. Emery expressed that winning the FA Cup would bring both glory and prestige to the team, and they are determined to give it their all. Commentator Andy Brassell shared these sentiments and believes that Aston Villa has a good chance of achieving success in this competition.

Liam Manning is a highly regarded young manager who has been gaining attention for his potential. The 38-year-old previously managed West Ham’s Under-23 team and recently returned to east London, showcasing his style. After a slow start, Bristol City showed ambition, creativity, and clever tactics which caused issues for their opponents. It remains to be seen if Manning can lead the team to a top six spot in the unpredictable second tier, where only five points separate sixth place from 14th. However, with his players responding to his halftime call for bravery and the impressive equalizer by Tommy Conway, there is hope for the team’s future. If Manning is given the support he needs, he may be able to elevate the club to their full potential.

Prior to their match against Chesterfield, Dean Whitehead, assistant head coach of Watford and member of the 2011 Stoke team that made it to the final, addressed the team about the FA Cup, its renowned magic, and its potential for upsets. He highlighted that there are no remaining survivors from Watford’s own run to the final in 2019. Captain Wesley Hoedt also spoke, stressing the importance of matching their opponents’ level of effort. “In the first half, we didn’t do that and it’s something we need to address because it’s not acceptable,” he later remarked. “The entire team was moving too slowly and casually instead of with speed and determination. It was a point of emphasis before the game, as well as from the manager, that we cannot be lazy and have a slow start.” Watford narrowly escaped with a victory, overcoming a one-goal deficit in stoppage time against their formidable and well-supported opponents. However, they will not always be able to win while making so many mistakes that Hoedt referred to as “small details that really irritate me.”

Chris Wilder expressed the importance of time for his team, the Blades, and was pleased that they were able to experience a sense of victory at Gillingham before shifting their focus back to the battle against relegation in the Premier League. While other clubs may be taking advantage of their January break by heading to warmer climates like Dubai, that is not a priority for them at the moment.

Wilder’s team will be residing in South Yorkshire. He stated that they have a lot of tasks to accomplish and he intends to utilize this time to reintroduce his ideas into the club, which he came back to on December 5th. He also mentioned that this will be a typical work week and they will be working diligently for the next two weeks since they have not had the opportunity to work with the players. At Priestfields, James McAtee, who is on loan from Manchester City, stood out with his confident style, reminiscent of Cole Palmer. Wilder commented on his impressive demeanor, stating that he is a Manchester and Salford native who is not afraid to showcase his abilities.

Source: theguardian.com