Chido Obi-Martin scored 32 goals in 18 games for Arsenal’s Under-18s (Getty)
Ahead of the game, Ruud van Nistelrooy has already confirmed that academy wingers Jeremy Monga, 15, and Jake Evans, 16, will be on Leicester’s substitutes’ bench at Old Trafford.
But when asked about the prospect of giving Obi-Martin minutes in the first team, Amorim said: ‘He’s doing his job, he’s improving, he’s playing in the youth teams, and we have also other players that can play in that position.
‘Rasmus [Hojlund] and Josh [Zirkzee] are there, we bought these two players, so we need to improve them and then sometimes the confidence can change a player.
‘We will see in the end of the season, but, until then, we have two strikers that can score goals.
‘They proved it in the past. Let’s see if we can improve as a team, to help them to score goals.’
More trophies could potentially following with Liverpool still involved in the FA Cup, through to the last 16 of the Champions League without the need for play-off and holding a commanding lead in the race for the Premier League title.
With a formidable squad boasting a clean bill of health and Mohamed Salah enjoying arguably his best ever season, Liverpool could be forgiven for feeling confident of a clean sweep.
Not that Van Dijk was having any of it last night after he played a key role ina victory over Spurs that only served to underline that gap that currently exists between his team and the chasing pack.
Asked about Liverpool’s chances of clean sweep, Van Dijk instantly dismissed former Watford striker Deeney’s question which prompted the CBS pundit to apologise.
‘I’m sorry I have been forced to ask the questions,’ Deeney said.
He then asked: ‘With the quadruple on the horizon how do you manage everyone being level every single day?’
Van Dijk then paused before offering a more measured response to his initial ‘ah come on’.
He said: ‘The expectation that we have is to try and win every game and not quadruple or thinking about what could be there in May time.
‘Every game that we play from now on is going to be difficult up until the end of the season.
Dominik Szoboszlai scored Liverpool’s third (Picture: Getty Images)
‘Hopefully we’re going to be in every competition and that’ll be fantastic that’s what we work for. We just have to enjoy the whole ride altogether.
‘Not only us as a group of players as a group with the defence as well, look at us ourselves, don’t look at others, just worry about ourselves and look that’s the only thing we look at. I say that to the team and to the boys as well.’
Slot, meanwhile, hailed a special moment after guiding Liverpool to Wembley but echoed Van Dijk’s sentiments by insisting his thoughts were already on the next game.
Van Dijk headed home Liverpool’s fourth on Merseyside (Picture: Getty)
Rather than basking in his latest success, the Dutchman is already thinking about another competition ahead of this weekend’s FA Cup trip to Sky Bet Championship side Plymouth.
The Liverpool manager said: ‘It’s pleasant, although if you know me a little bit, my thoughts are more on Sunday already than thinking about the final in the month.
‘Our performance was something that pleased me. Reaching a final should always be special, even for this club, because this club is used to playing finals, but still we are working very hard every single day to try to improve players and the players want to improve themselves every single day.
‘But we’re also in this business to play finals, although we know how difficult the final is going to be because we faced Newcastle already and they were very impressive yesterday as well.
‘But there are many games to be played before that final and this is where our focus should be at.’
Amorim has so far had to make do with makeshift solutions in the left wing-back role but with a natural option now at his disposal, he will be eager to get him into the team as soon as possible.
With Jonny Evans also still absent, January signing Ayden Heaven is another possible option. The 18-year-old was brought in from Arsenal, regarded as a signing for the first-team to provide cover for Martinez. Amorim could opt to fast-track him into his starting XI.
Ayden Heaven could also make his debut (Picture: Manchester United via Getty Images)
Amorim dropped both Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee from his starting XI against Palace last Sunday, instead trialling Kobbie Mainoo in a false nine role.
Zirkzee and Hojlund have not scored a goal in 2025 (Picture: Getty Images)
The experiment failed but given neither striker has found the net in 2025, the United boss may be tempted to further tinker with his attacking options.
Altay Bayindir will hope to return in goal after his heroics in the third round win over Arsenal at the Emirates.
How United could line up on Friday night…
United will be coming up against Leicester for the third time this season having already put eight goals past them in league and Carabao Cup.
Ruud van Nistelrooy was in charge for those games as interim boss and will now find himself back at Old Trafford as the Leicester boss looking to inflict more misery on his old side.
‘The work started on Monday, which is quick. The Champions League last year helped us to work on those two-day turnarounds. We do tweak things depending on the opposition,’ Howe said.
‘We felt we needed more height in the team, we wanted solidity at the back and we had to change in order to win the game.
Jacob Murphy scored Newcastle’s opener at St James’ Park (Getty)
‘The players followed the instruction to the letter, they deserve the credit. Fabian had big distances to cover in his job, tracking Declan Rice whether he dropped low or went wide or went central. At times he went right across the pitch. He is a good athlete and is very capable of doing it.
‘We wanted to get pressure on them [Saliba and Gabriel] and in order to do that we had to get bodies in the right areas and press high – that is how we decided to do it.
Newcastle will play either Liverpool or Tottenham in the Carabao Cup final (Reuters)
‘You know you are playing against elite players and one mistake can make things difficult. We had to be ourselves, be front foot. If not then it can quickly be 1-0 and 2-0 and then you are on the back foot.
‘We had to work on set plays as their set play threat is so high. In the reverse fixture there were some moments where we got a bit lucky. Again our team selection was based on having height, especially without Joelinton, we needed Dan Burn, Fabian Schar and Sven Botman. We defended the set plays really well today.’
Meanwhile, Gordon also revealed that Howe instructed him to alter his position in order to put more pressure on Arsenal’s two central defenders.
‘Everyone knows we don’t change much. We are always going to press and try to put teams under pressure,’ Gordon told BBC 5 Live.
‘The gaffer altered it a little bit, I played inside a bit more, and they struggled with it on the counter attack because they’ll couldn’t really pick me and Murph up and Alex [Isak] does what Alex does. I think the gaffer deserves all the credit.’
Sutton believes Amorim has created a ‘real problem’ and has warned that Zirkzee and Hojlund could down tools for the remainder of the season.
Former Premier League striker Sutton, who now works as a football pundit, told the BBC: ‘If you are Zirkzee or Hojlund and you’re seeing Mainoo – who is a really excellent footballer but isn’t a centre-forward or false nine – being picked, you are thinking: ‘How on earth is he playing in front of me?’
‘That is a real problem. Amorim is basically telling the pair of them that he doesn’t rate them in any way, shape or form.
‘He could lose these two players, mentally, for the rest of the season now and they might think about not applying themselves.’
Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee could down tools (Picture: Getty)
Former Arsenal star and fellow pundit Theo Walcott added: ‘Managers sometimes do this to test players.
‘They want to see whether the player is with them or not. It’s going to be interesting to see how Manchester United do cope with this.
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‘I just think it’s an interesting dynamic for Amorim to make, particularly if he is so fixed on this formation.’
‘It could have been a signal to the people above him to let them know that he has no faith in the two players he has tried there,’ Parker said.
‘It’s like having two goalkeepers on the bench. Every fan knows that when a manager puts two keepers on the bench, he’s making a point to those above him that he needs someone. I think it could have been that.’
Arsenal failed to make the Carabao Cup final after a 4-0 aggregate defeat against Newcastle(Credits: AP)
Newcastle couldn’t resist taking a thinly veiled dig at Mikel Arteta after Arsenal were humbled at St James’ Park and slumped to a 2-0 defeat in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final.
Kai Havertz was the main culprit three weeks ago when the Germany international missed a succession of chances that envious Arsenal fans would have loved Arteta’s long-time transfer target Isak to have been on the end of.
Rather than attribute any blame to his only recognised centre forward, Arteta suggested that the Carabao Cup ball, manufactured by a different company to the one that is used in Premier League matches, played a part in a night to forget for Havertz.
The Arsenal boss was roundly mocked for that rationale and it his comments were clearly not forgotten by a Newcastle after they completed a 4-0 aggregate victory with Isak and Gordon to the fore again.
Posting a picture of the Puma ball nestled in the back of a net, the Newcastle X account pointedly added the caption ‘the culprit’.
After Arsenal’s raucous celebrations that followed Sunday’s 5-1 win over Manchester and the way in which their players and fans mocked Erling Haaland, the beaten Gunners could do nothing else but take defeat on the chin.
Newcastle’s message on X was a clear dig at Mikel Arteta (Picture: X)
Alexander Isak tormented Arsenal again (Picture: Getty)
‘We had so many expectations to believe that we could turn it around. We didn’t generate momentum, especially in the first half, the game started in the first action almost with them scoring and then the goal being denied,’ said Arteta after the game.
‘Then we had the moment, two big moments, with Martin. We didn’t capitalise and in the next action, they scored the goal and obviously the game shifted and then you need to stay cool to score a goal as early as possible.
‘We didn’t manage to do that in the first half, had another big chance, and then in the second half, we started to struggle as the game went by.
‘We didn’t generate enough situations in the final third and the game started to get away from us.’
William Saliba endured a difficult night up against Alexander Isak (Credits: REUTERS)
Last night’s game represented Arsenal’s 11th match in the space of 33 days and appeared to be one challenge too many for Arteta’s men.
‘We need to swallow this one, it’s a tough one and we had a lot of expectations,’ added Arteta.
‘We knew the difficulty of the task because of the result that we brought from London, but there’s nothing we can do right now. What we could do was on the pitch a few minutes ago.
‘Now we have to look forward, first of all I think this is going to be a painful one, and when we’re in Dubai, recharge and go again because we still have a lot to play for. ‘
The ex-Brazil defender, who won both the Premier League and Champions League across two stints at Stamford Bridge, has continued to keep a close eye on his former clubs.
Luiz has urged Arsenal to ‘keep fighting’ as they desperately attempt to end the club’s 21-year wait for a Premier League trophy.
Luiz says the dominance of Man City and emergence of Liverpool is the only reason Arsenal have not lifted the Premier League trophy but insists his former club can still ‘achieve something special’ under Arteta.
‘Arsenal haven’t won the league already because there are other amazing clubs such as Manchester City,’ Luiz told The Sun.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta (Picture: Getty)
‘Pep Guardiola has turned Man City into a machine but also Liverpool now with the new coach are amazing.
‘Arsenal have to keep fighting… maybe one day Chelsea and Arsenal are going to win the Premier League again.
‘The mentality has to continue this way, with ambition. That’s how you achieve something special.’
Luiz hailed Arsenal ‘monster’ Gabriel (Picture: Getty)
One of Arsenal’s biggest strengths this season has been set-pieces and Luiz says Gunners defender Gabriel is a ‘monster’ in the opposition box.
Gabriel has scored five goals already this season – all from corners – with Arsenal scoring more from set-piece goals than any other team in the top-flight.
Luiz added: ‘Gabriel has the power of a monster – he can score in every single match!
‘He’s a powerful guy. I hope he continues this way with the help of Arteta who gets the best out of him every day.’
The former Arsenal defender also revealed his admiration for Arteta’s captain Martin Odegaard, who has been one of the most consistent players in the Premier League in recent years.
‘Martin has grown a lot and is now a world-class player,’ Luis said. ‘He’s an amazing person and he’s turned into a great leader.’
Mikel Arteta’s side must overturn a 2-0 deficit against Newcastle if they are to make it to the Carabao Cup final (Picture: Getty)
Mikel Arteta has revealed that the rapid extent of Ethan Nwaneri’s progress has meant he isn’t even old enough to change in the Arsenal first team dressing room.
The prodigious 17-year-old enhanced his burgeoning reputation with two more outstanding performances last week.
England recognition, initially at Under-21 level, is certain to follow but safeguarding rules mean that, unlike fellow breakthrough star Myles Lewis-Skelly, Nwaneri still isn’t allowed to change in the dressing room on matchdays.
‘When you see those two (Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri) walking next to each other, talking to each other, there is a bond there and a chemistry there,’ said Arteta.
‘I imagine for them it is special because at the moment they are still in different dressing rooms [at the training ground].
The 15-year-old replaced Arsenal goalscorer Fabio Vieira (Picture: Getty)
Ethan Nwaneri scored Arsenal’s fifth goal in their 5-1 win over Manchester City (Picture: Getty)
‘Ethan cannot be in our dressing room still, which is unbelievable. He needs to get dressed somewhere else, even on match day.
‘So to have somebody close to him that has that trust, that confidence, that link, I think it is lucky. They are very lucky to have each other.’
But after they fell short in their swoop to sign Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa – a move it is understood appears unlikely even in the summer – Arsenal will continue their quest for silverware with only Kai Havertz as their sole recognised senior striker.
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A frustrated Arteta said he will now have to be ‘very flexible’ with his attacking tactics as the Spaniard tasked Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli, Raheem Sterling and even Nwaneri with leading the line if Havertz is unavailable.
Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s second leg of their semi-final Carabao Cup tie against Newcastle at St James’ Park on Wednesday night, Arteta said: ‘We had a clear intention to explore the opportunities to improve our squad with players that can impact it. And we haven’t achieved that so we are disappointed in that sense.
‘We are very aware that we only want to bring a certain kind of player in and we have to be very disciplined with that as well.
‘After you don’t achieve it, for sure there are things to learn from it, there always are but you have to move on. Nobody knows whether it is better to have done it or not. We’ll know probably at the end of the season.
‘But we’re going to have to be very flexible with the front line. Leo can play in that position. Raheem has played in that position. Ethan, I think, can play in that position. Martinelli can play there, too. At some point, we’re going to have to try something different.’
Arsenal failed with a late transfer move for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins (Picture: Getty)
Havertz, 25, has faced criticism this season and missed a glaring opportunity in Arsenal’s 5-1 thrashing of Manchester City on Sunday.
However, the former Chelsea man did get his name on the scoresheet in the rout which keeps Arsenal’s title dream alive and has returned 15 goals from 33 appearances so far this term.
Of Arsenal’s failed striker pursuit, Arteta continued: ‘It’s not a gamble, it’s reality and we have to face the reality. I am not worried. Now I focus on the numbers that we have, how to maximise them, how to make the best out of them.
‘With all the problems that we have already had, it’s remarkable what the team has done (this season) so I have full faith in them.’
Kai Havertz remains Arsenal’s only fit, recognised striker after a failure to buy a new forward in the January transfer window (Picture: Getty)
Arsenal are 2-0 down to Newcastle heading into Wednesday’s fixture, following a disappointing defeat in the opening leg at the Emirates a fortnight ago.
But Arteta is confident the boost of their statement victory against City could yet propel them to the final on March 16.
‘The next stop is a final in Wembley so we know how big that is and you can feel it,” said Arteta.
‘The momentum is with us and we have a break (after the game against Newcastle) so now is the the moment to go full gas.
‘We’re excited, willing, hungry and enthusiastic because we are very close to playing a final and hopefully we can achieve that tomorrow.’
Spurs were also able to include an option to buy Tel this summer for €55m (£45.7m) as part of their agreement with Bayern.
United had held talks to sign Tel in the closing stages of the window but The Telegraph report that the club considered Bayern’s demand for a £5m loan fee to be an ‘expensive risk’ for a player who is ‘largely unproven’.
Tel, who joined Bayern in a €28.5m (£24.4m) deal from Rennes in July 2022, has started just three games for the Bundesliga leaders this season.
Tottenham have the option to buy Mathys Tel for €55m (£45.7m) (Getty)
Gary Neville has backed Tel to make an impact at Spurs, with Ange Postecoglou’s side still in with a chance of winning the Europa League, the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup this season.
‘Tottenham are a huge draw, the stadium and the training ground and the manager with his style of football. It’s a thrilling style that creates chances,’ Neville told Sky Sports News.
‘I’m glad Tel is going there after flirting with a couple of other clubs. Tel will improve Spurs.
‘They have a big couple of weeks coming up. Sometimes players like the idea of playing for a club but the important thing is to play football. That’s what Tottenham can provide him.
‘They are an amazing football club with an amazing fanbase and they have some great games coming up that he can contribute in.’
Accepting Rice’s probing pass just outside the penalty area, the teenager burst into the box, cut inside John Stones and, with his weaker foot, found the far corner via Stefan Ortega’s glove and the inside of the post.
The latest diamond to emerge from the Hale End Academy reacted by recreating Erling Haaland’s trademark celebration, a pointed response to having been asked ‘who the f*** are you?’ by City’s talisman during an altercation at the end of the reverse fixture earlier this season.
Lewi-Skelly’s celebration has divided opinion in the aftermath of Arsenal’s victory with Carragher claiming the youngster went too far.
The former Liverpool defender did, however, note the largely unseen role Rice played in attempting to get the youngster to focus and regain his composure after winding up the opposition.
Myles Lewis-Skelly’s goal put Arsenal 3-1 ahead against Man City (Picture: Getty)
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‘I didn’t like this (the celebration) to be honest, because he’s a young player. You know, mimicking Haaland and taking the mick out of him,’ Carragher told Sky Sports.
‘But I think as a young player – and I know we all get carried away with ourselves as a young player – but I just think what Declan Rice did there.
‘He pulled him up. He’s still celebrating in the corner. Listen, it’s a huge moment for him, but Declan Rice is telling him to get back in position.
‘And when I think about leaders in that dressing room and being a senior player…
Erling Haaland could only stand and watch as Manchester City were thrashed by Arsenal (Picture: Getty)
Declan Rice gave a man of the match performance against Man City (Credits: Javier Garcia/Shutterstock
‘Look at Declan Rice telling them: ‘Get back in position! Let’s not get carried away!’
‘This is what senior pros should be doing in the dressing room to young players.’
Gabriel Martinelli, meanwhile has defended his teammate, insisting Lewis-Skelly was not being disrespectful towards Haaland.
Speaking after Arsenal’s statement win Arteta appeared to warn his players against gloating.
But Martinelli stood up for his colleague, whose well-taken second-half strike capped another fine performance from the club’s rising academy star.
‘I don’t know if it (the celebration) was planned, but, for sure, he respects Erling a lot,’ said Martinelli. ‘He scored an amazing goal, and he has been brilliant recently. We are really happy for him.’
Martin Odegaard opened the scoring and set the tone for Arsenal in their 5-1 win over Man City (Credits: COLORSPORT / Andrew Cowie)
Haaland, who momentarily hauled City level in the second half at the Emirates, was targeted by Arsenal in the wake of his ‘stay humble’ comments following September’s chaotic 2-2 draw.
Prior to Lewis-Skelly’s celebration, Gabriel screamed in Haaland’s face after Martin Odegaard’s opener, while the Norway international was also taunted by the Arsenal supporters. In turn, Haaland pointed to the Premier League champions badge on the side of his City sleeve.
‘It’s two teams that want to win the championship, so that’s a fight,’ added Martinelli of the fierce rivalry that has developed between the two clubs.
Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly both got on the scoresheet in Arsenal’s 5-1 win over Man City (Picture: Getty)
‘We tried our best, and they tried their best as well. We have to win duels to win these games and that’s why the game becomes hard work. We did well, and we are really happy with the result.
‘We know our qualities, the team that we have. Even though we have some players injured, we know the quality we have in the team and we are trying our best for the club, for the players that are injured, and for the fans, too.
‘We still have a long journey to go, many games to go, but we are going to try to do our best to win the league.’
