FA Cup: Arsenal's fringe players eye minutes and could there be a Hollywood upset?

Same again from Wolves?

Wolves vs Liverpool, Friday, kick-off 8pm

After putting the Premier League champions to the sword to mark Wolves’ resurgence, Rob Edwards’ side have the chance to down Liverpool once again in a rematch, just four days later, this time in the FA Cup.

In isolation, Wolves’ display in their 2-1 win over Liverpool on Tuesday offered the Molineux crowd something to shout about, however, it’s part of a wider run of form that has led to suggestions the once-certainly doomed Old Gold can pull off a miracle to remain in the Premier League.

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Wolves have lost just one of their last five matches and are on a recent run that includes a win over Aston Villa and a draw against league leaders Arsenal. All of a sudden, the Molineux is a tough place to go for any opponent.

With so little fixtures remaining in the Premier League, Wolves’ survival is perhaps a little too far-fetched; however, the FA Cup remains a real opportunity for Wolves.

They’re not going down without a fight but if they can harness their ability to topple the league’s top five and apply that in the cup, there might be something memorable to take from this forgettable Wolves campaign.
William Bitibiri

A chance for Arsenal’s fringe players?

Mansfield vs Arsenal, Saturday, kick-off 12.15pm

There are 54 league positions between Arsenal and Mansfield Town. If ever there was a chance for Mikel Arteta to rotate his side, this is surely it. The Gunners have four games in 12 games to come after Saturday’s trip to Field Mill, including the Carabao Cup final.

There is a lengthy list of fringe players who will be eager for opportunities. Myles Lewis-Skelly is suspended having been booked twice in the previous rounds but could fellow academy graduate Max Dowman, fit again following injury, provide a reminder of his thrilling quality ahead of the run-in?

There are more experienced players waiting in the wings too.

Christian Norgaard will surely fancy his chances of starting in place of Martin Zubimendi, who has racked up more minutes than any other player this season. Riccardo Calafiori is another player in need of rhythm and minutes.

Mansfield will aim to punish any complacency. But the depth of quality available to Mikel Arteta is such that they would be overwhelming favourites even with a fully rotated team. A chance to rest legs as their season enters a critical stage should not be missed.
Nick Wright

Stars aligning for a Hollywood-script style upset at the Racecourse

Wrexham vs Chelsea, Saturday, kick-off 5.45pm

Chelsea have flexed their muscles in the FA Cup since Liam Rosenior took charge but Saturday’s game against Wrexham will draw neutral spectators in as fans seek a Hollywood-script style twist, fuelled by the magic of the cup.

The Blues have already swept Charlton and Rosenior’s former side Hull, who sit one place above Wrexham in the Championship play-off picture, aside after winning by an aggregate scoreline of 9-1 across both games.

Wrexham, however, have shown they can compete with Premier League sides after knocking Nottingham Forest out on penalties in the third round.

A meeting with Chelsea offers a fresh opportunity to showcase their potential top-flight credentials.

“Maximum effort” is the phrase used often by Marvel superhero Deadpool, a character played by Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds, in high-octane moments where the odds seem stacked against him.

Chelsea should expect exactly that from Wrexham. A packed Racecourse Ground, bubbling away with the anticipation of an Oscar-worthy upset to progress into the quarter finals, while knowing their Premier League opponents are juggling Wednesday’s trip to Paris Saint-Germain.

Where Wrexham go, the stars tend to follow. They could be aligning on Saturday.
Patrick Rowe

Five’s alive for Newcastle and Man City

Newcastle vs Manchester City, Saturday, kick-off 8pm

Eddie Howe and Pep Guardiola must be sick of the sight of each other. Saturday’s clash will be their fifth meeting this season in the fifth round of the FA Cup – but which for which team will it be a high five?

The pair have already played each other twice in the Premier League and Carabao Cup semi-finals, with Man City leading the head-to-head with three wins to one. Their last meeting was two weeks ago when two goals from Nico O’Reilly secured a 2-1 win at the Etihad.

What will be vital for Newcastle this time around is playing at St James’ Park. It is where their Premier League win came in November, and the home crowd have demonstrated their influence time and again when they’re at their raucous best.

Man City might not be intimidated by it, such is their experience, but it will certainly give the Newcastle players a huge boost.

Howe defended how much importance he has placed on cup competitions this season in his pre-match press conference, but given the joy the Carabao Cup brought the city and club last season, it’s easy to see why. It could be their only route into Europe next season too, with the FA Cup winners handed a spot in the Europa League.

Man City’s place in Europe next season is secure, but they hardly turn their nose up at another trophy. Newcastle will be a difficult task, but one they have successfully navigated three times already this season. They will be hoping for number four on Saturday.
Charlotte Marsh

Which Port Vale will turn up at Vale Park?

Port Vale vs Sunderland, Sunday, kick-off 1.30pm

Port Vale need a big performance to overcome their Premier League opponents this weekend, and they have had truly contrasting form at Vale Park between league and cup.

Just 12 of their 27 League One points have been won at home as they sit bottom of the table, with only two wins – although one of those did come against fellow fifth-round hopefuls, Mansfield.

But all four of their FA Cup wins this season have come at Vale Park and the last three have been by a 1-0 scoreline. This includes beating Championship side Bristol City in extra time on Tuesday evening.

They go again quickly as they host Regis Le Bris’ high-flying Sunderland, who will be confident that they can take on all-comers in this season’s FA Cup. They have also won both of their fixtures in the competition on the road, and will be looking to avoid an upset on Sunday.
Charlotte Marsh