Some people believe it has lost its magic, some insist it is still an integral part of what makes football in this country great. Wherever your opinion lies on the matter, allow me to enlighten you on three things to look out for from this weekend’s fifth round action.
1) Arsenal vs Liverpool – The Grudge Match
I want you to imagine yourself saying the above line in a mock American accent (both clubs are owned by Rhinestone Cowboys) not dissimilar to the voice heard on movie trailers for overpriced action epics which only serve to fill the pockets of everybody involved all of whom already have far too much money.
This Sunday does indeed present a blockbuster of a football game for us as Arsenal to slap Liverpool up a little following their resounding spanking at the hands of Brendan Rodgers’ team last Saturday at Anfield. That was terrible for Arsenal, wasn’t it? A really bad loss and it will be fresh in the Arsenal players’ minds and they will hoping to make amends for the diabolical performance in that 5-1 defeat.
2) Pellegrini vs Mourinho (Man City vs Chelsea) – Grudge match II
What nonsense will Jose Mourinho come out this week? Surely he can’t use the one about Chelsea being poverty stricken again, can he? You never know with Jose. There is no doubt, however, that Mourinho is a master tactician and his latest masterclass against Man City in the Premier League was highly impressive.
Manuel Pellegrini will certainly use that loss as motivation for his players to return to the top of their game following a dip in form and, shockingly, not scoring for two games straight. If City can beat Chelsea here and advance to the quarter finals of the competition then it could act as a catalyst for a team that hopes to compete in four competitions this season.
3) A team from Sheffield advancing to the FA Cup quarter finals
The Owls and the Blades have both had rather successful FA Cup runs in the past but the most recent was Wednesday’s 1993 final appearance which they lost to Arsenal.
Sheffield Wednesday host Charlton on the Saturday whilst Sheffield United welcome Nottingham Forest the following day. I wonder what odds you could get on an all Sheffield final? Imagine that.
For now, though, both teams from the Steel City have a very good chance of making the quarter finals.