What would winning the FA Cup mean for the three favourites?

Arsenal winning the trophy in May 2014

FA Cup holders Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United had all passed their respective fifth round tests to progress into the sixth round of the oldest cup competition in football. Liverpool will play Blackburn Rovers whilst there will be a clash of the titans at Old Trafford where Manchester United will host Arsenal - the two most successful teams in FA Cup history with both clubs winning the competition a record eleven times. The possibility of lifting the old trophy in May beckons for all three of these clubs.

The current holders Arsenal had disposed of Championship outfit Middlesbrough quite comfortably with a flowing, typical Arsenal-type move which led to Olivier Giroud tapping in Kieran Gibbs' cross for the first goal. The gunners' forward then doubled his tally with a sumptuous finish from an Alexis Sanchez corner. Arsene Wenger's men then held on to a relaxed 2-0 victory against Aitor Karanka's men. The North London outfit are the favourites to win the competition and rightly so as the holders and on paper with the strongest squad, retaining this trophy would not only result in a record 12th FA Cup for the club but it would resemble successful consistency for this current crop of gunners. If Arsenal hang on to this trophy, it would be a huge statement of intent from Arsene Wenger and his men; the days of jeering for not winning a trophy for nine years would be long forgotten and it would galvanize these players, it would instill the belief that not only are they capable of winning a trophy but they are able to hang on to it and achieve success on a consistent basis. Last season, Arsene Wenger stated "Once Aaron Ramsey starts scoring, he won't stop" and he was spot on. The same analogy could be applied to Arsenal here in the sense that once the gunners win a trophy, they will not stop winning and the FA Cup this season is their best chance to prove that.

Eleven time winners Manchester United edged past Preston North End at Deepdale despite what the 3-1 scoreline suggested, the home side did well to contain the Premier League outfit in the first half with Man United being complacent and lethargic in their play. Preston took a deserved lead early in the second half from a deflected effort by Scott Laird from just inside the area, Louis van Gaal's men responded however with two goals in quick succession; Ander Herrera's scuffed effort led to the equalizer and Marouane Fellaini gave the red devils the lead, tapping in his rebounded effort. Wayne Rooney then earned (perhaps illegally) a penalty for his side late on which he then slotted in to the top left corner confirming Manchester United a 3-1 victory against the League One outfit. If the England captain were to lift the FA Cup in May, it would mark the beginning of what United fans hope to be, a successful reign for Louis van Gaal. This trophy along with a top four finish would eradicate the memories of a painful first season post Fergie, it would mark significant progress after a trophyless (Community Shield does not count) 7th placed finish last season, and it would represent a strong start to his managerial career in English football for United's Dutch gaffer. It would also form the platform for this current United crop that they go on to achieve many things and compete for big honours alongside their noisy neighbours and Chelsea. If Louis van Gaal were to win the FA Cup in his first season in English football, it would certainly point Manchester United in the right direction.

Six time winners Liverpool snatched a 2-1 victory against a revitalized Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, this match being one of only three premier league clashes in the FA Cup fifth round. Fraizer Campbell gave the eagles an early lead with Palace entering half time with a 1-0 lead. It was then Liverpool's English forward, Daniel Sturridge who converted a Jordan Henderson chipped cross four minutes in to the second half to equalize. Adam Lallana then sunk Palace hearts after slotting in Mario Balotelli's rebounded free-kick effort giving Liverpool victory in South London. If Brendan Rodgers were to add the FA Cup to his CV, it would not only be his first major honour as a manager but it would give departing captain, Steven Gerrard the perfect send off. It would also mark a significant moment in the careers of the young Liverpool players, it would give them a taste of success which would make them yearn for more. It also seems time is running out for Brendan Rodgers to win a trophy for Liverpool, three years in to the job, it would be perfect time to lift the trophy in May for him as it would be first of, what Liverpool fans hope, many. The FA Cup this season could be a catalyst for the young Liverpool manager and his young players; similarly to Man United, it would form a launchpad from which Liverpool could compete for more in the near future alongside the sides currently above them in the Premier League. Winning the FA Cup should be the biggest priority for all of those connected with Liverpool.

These three are the standout favourites to win the FA Cup this season and they really must go for it; it's a chance for Arsenal to maintain success, Manchester United need a piece of silverware to mark the beginning of a new era and Liverpool need a trophy in order to provide them with a platform for the future. Liverpool should progress in to the semi-finals with their tie against Blackburn, but it is the tie between Manchester United and Arsenal which will determine just how hungry these respective clubs are for the FA Cup. But we have all experienced the magic of the cup - Bradford City being the clear example this season, we know that not all goes to plan in this wonderful competition and that anyone is capable of anything.       

              

How does Arsene Wenger solve his injury crisis?

Aaron Ramsey

It seems to be another day in the office for Arsene Wenger as the injury list starts to mount; with Aaron Ramsey and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain out for two weeks and, Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Debuchy fighting off long term injuries. It does make you wonder whether the Arsenal gaffer will ever get to choose from a fully fit squad this season.

The former Wales assistant coach Raymond Verheijen criticized Arsene Wenger's training methods as he believed they were the underlying cause of Aaron Ramsey's recurring injuries. An unfair comment it may be, but it does raise the question on whether Wenger prepares his players well enough for the physical battle of football? Arsene Wenger is a purist of football who always wants to impress spectators with his total football philosophy and we as football fans admire that hugely about him, but I believe he is so focused on delivering passing tika-taka football that he may fail to address the physical aspect of football. I think by not preparing his players for the physical side of football, it makes the likes of Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey prone to injury when it comes to physical contact in a football match. I believe, one way Arsene Wenger could rectify this issue is by altering his philosophy slightly so that his players are ready for physical battles, by doing this, his players would not be shocked by the physical onslaught they get by teams such as Stoke City or Chelsea.

Another way, I believe Arsene Wenger could help solve this injury crisis is by changing the type of player he always seems to be after in the transfer window. In transfer windows gone by, the Arsenal manager has replaced the strong and intimidating presences such as Gilberto Silva and Patrick Viera with smaller, more technical players such as Cesc Fabregas, Alexander Hleb, Tomas Rosicky, Denilson, Aaron Ramsey, Andrei Arshavin, Santi Cazorla, Mesut Özil - the list is endless. Yes, the technical quality of a team is important but it must be complimented by a physical presence - Patrick Viera gave Dennis Bergkamp and Robert Pires the freedom to attack whilst he held the fort for them in that wonderful invincible team of 2004.  Arsene Wenger needs to alter his target market in the transfer window and acquire a player who is more than willing to do the rough and dirty side of football, someone who is willing to break up play of the opposition whilst the likes of Mesut Özil influence things at the other end of the pitch.

Although the players need to prepare well for the physicality of football, there is the question of whether the likes of Aaron Ramsey or Jack Wilshere have a mental stumbling block in regards to injuries that prevent them from playing comfortably? In order to address the potential mental stumbling blocks, I believe that the Arsenal gaffer must instill the confidence that these players yearn for so that they can overcome any stumbling block.

To sum up, if Arsene Wenger wants to keep the injury list as small as possible, then he must do three things: as well as sticking to his admirable footballing philosophy, he has to prepare his players well enough for the physical battles in his training sessions. He must also acknowledge that he has an abundance of small, technical players who are not complimented enough by  physical presences - he needs to purchase an intimidating beast of a player. And finally, he must show his players that they cannot allow their injuries to prevent them from playing with the freedom they want to play with.