Arsenal are set to enter the FA Cup in the third round with a game against Liverpool, and seven of their loanees will also be involved in the competition at the same stage.

Arthur Okonkwo with Wrexham AFC (Photo via Wrexham on Twitter)
Arthur Okonkwo with Wrexham AFC (Photo via Wrexham on Twitter)

As usual, Arsenal are set to enter the FA Cup in the third round in January, and the Gunners have been drawn at home to Liverpool.

But the club will have a vested interest in seven other ties, with a number of their loan players set to feature as well.

For a start, Wrexham and Wigan Athletic have both been involved in the FA Cup since the first round, and both remain in the competition at this stage.

Arthur Okonkwo helped Wrexham to a 2-1 win over Mansfield Town in their opening game, and they followed that up with a 3-0 win over Yeovil Town. They’ll face Shrewsbury Town away from home in the third round.

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Omar Rekik made starts for Wigan away to Exeter City and York City in previous rounds, winning 2-0 and 1-0 respectively. Wigan have been rewarded with the chance to host Manchester United in the third round.

Omar Rekik plays for Wigan Athletic (Photo via Rekik on Instagram)
Omar Rekik plays for Wigan Athletic (Photo via Rekik on Instagram)

As well as those two, five other Arsenal loanees are joining the competition at this stage.

Albert Sambi Lokonga has recently returned to fitness, and he’ll face League One Bolton Wanderers at home with Luton Town.

Brooke Norton-Cuffy has been a regular starter for Millwall on loan this season so far, and they’ll face fellow Championship side Leicester City at home.

Runar Alex Runarsson and Cardiff City have been drawn away to Sheffield Wednesday. Runarsson was initially acting as Cardiff’s cup goalkeeper on loan, but his recent promotion to start their Championship games makes it unclear whether he’ll play this tie.

Nottingham Forest will play against the winner of Blackpool and Forest Green Rovers’ second-round tie, though Nuno Tavares is currently absent from Forest’s matchday squads.

Finally, Charlie Patino will face Morecambe at home with Swansea City.

FA Cup third-round ties involving Arsenal loanees

LUTON, ENGLAND: Phil Foden of Manchester City is challenged by Albert Sambi Lokonga of Luton Town during the Premier League match between Luton Town and Manchester City at Kenilworth Road on December 10, 2023. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LUTON, ENGLAND: Phil Foden of Manchester City is challenged by Albert Sambi Lokonga of Luton Town during the Premier League match between Luton Town and Manchester City at Kenilworth Road on December 10, 2023. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
  • Luton Town vs Bolton Wanderers
  • Shrewsbury Town vs Wrexham
  • Millwall vs Leicester City
  • Sheffield Wednesday vs Cardiff City
  • Nottingham Forest vs Blackpool or Forest Green Rovers
  • Wigan Athletic vs Manchester United
  • Swansea City vs Morecambe

All of the above ties will take place between January 4th and January 8th, with the Wigan tie against Manchester United selected for TV coverage.

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