Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal, advocates for the elimination of FA Cup replays.

The Spanish coach shared his thoughts ahead of a crucial third-round match against Premier League leaders Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium. After this game, Arsenal, currently trailing Liverpool by five points in the title race, will have a 13-day break. A draw would necessitate a rematch at Anfield during this rare break, impacting Arsenal’s campaigns in both domestic and European competitions.

When questioned about the possibility of scrapping replays, Arteta, considering the increased number of Champions League games in the new format, expressed support for the idea. He emphasized the need to assess the situation and mentioned the minimal break, stating they have plans for various scenarios. Despite Arsenal heading into the Liverpool fixture as slight underdogs due to a recent dip in form, Arteta emphasized their intention to win the game.

Arsenal, with just one win in their last five matches, faces an in-form Liverpool team that claimed the league’s top spot after scoring four goals against Newcastle. In contrast, Arsenal’s goal-scoring prowess from the previous season has diminished, with only four goals in their last five league games. None of their forwards have reached double figures this season, and Arteta acknowledged the challenge of maintaining last year’s exceptional numbers. He highlighted the difficulty in coaching and replicating the timing and execution of goal-scoring actions, expressing the team’s focus on improvement, especially in converting recent chances into goals.

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