FA Cup: Arsenal Advance To The Next Round

Arsenal booked their passage to the quarter finals of the English FA Cup after a subdued win over non-league side Sutton. Goals from Lucas Perez and Theo Walcott gave Arsenal a 2-0 win. They will now play another non-league side Lincoln City at the Emirates next month.

The tone for this fifth round tie was set against the backdrop of a chastising 5-1 defeat to Bayern Munich in the champions league last week. A team that was still reeling from that defeat found it difficult to find any rhythm on a plastic pitch. Arsene Wenger made several changes to the line up. Rob Holding came in alongside Mustafi in central defence. Lucas Perez, Theo Walcott and Alexis Iwobi made up the front three. While Jeff, Mo Elneny and Granit Xhaka were in midfield with Gabriel and Monreal filling the full back positions.

Lucas Perez scored his seventh goal for Arsenal when he cut in from the right and placed a cross that was intended for Walcott, which ended up in the back of the net for the opening goal. They huffed and puffed  for the reminder of the first half. But Elneny suffered a knock, which caused him to be substituted at half time.with Oxlade Chamberlain his replacement. There was an iffy moment from David Ospina after he passed the ball straight to a Sutton player, but he failed to take advantage to level the scores before the break.Theo Walcott got his 100th goal for Arsenal when he applied the finishing touch to a cross from Monreal after patient build up through the middle.

Alex Iwobi and Oxlade Chamberlain spurned good chances to put more gloss on the scoreline, Deacon hit the bar after his shot rebounded off the post.

In the end, Arsene Wenger's side did just enough to advance to the next round. They now have a twelve day rest before a pivotal match against Liverpool at Anfield in two weeks.

FA Cup Sixth Round Draw: Chelsea To Face Jose Mourinho's Man United

The quarter final draws for the English FA Cup has pitted Premier League leaders Chelsea against Manchester United. The tie would be played at Stamford Bridge in March. There is an added spice to it because of Jose Mourinho. He is regarded as Chelsea's most successful manager. After winning three league titles, three league cups and two FA cup in two spells as manager of the West London side.

Chelsea have been very formidable this season as they lead the league with eight points from second place Manchester City. They defeated Wolves to get to the quarter finals, while Manchester United needed a goal from Zlatan Ibrahimovic to book their passage to the quarter finals against Championship side Blackburn. It was the Swede's 24th goal of his maiden season in English football.

In other ties, non league giant killers Lincoln City will play Arsenal or Sutton away from home. The gunners will play Sutton on Monday night in the last fifth round tie. There will be a London derby between Tottenham and Milwall. The East London side eliminated league champions and strugglers Leicester City.While Aitor Karanka's Middlesbrough will host either Manchester City or Huddersfield Town.

Full Quarter Final Draw

Chelsea v. Manchester United

Tottenham v Milwall

Sutton/Arsenal v Lincoln

Middlesbrough v Manchester City/Huddersfield

FA Cup Preview: Can Manchester United Savage A Poor Season?

Manchester United face Crystal Palace as overwhelming favourites for Saturday's FA Cup final at Wembley stadium. Louis van Gaal's side have endured a disappointing season that saw them finish in fifth place in the P league in what was a see-saw season for the Red Devils. It means Manchester United would have to do without Champions League football for the second time in three seasons.

However, despite what has been a season of upheaval at Old Trafford, Van Gaal can still end the season on a high with triumph at Wembley. Yet, few would put a full proof bet on Manchester United carrying the day if their inconsistent performances is anything to go by. Judging by the contrasting displays against West Ham United and Bournemouth in their last two Premier League matches of the season.
The significance of a win if it comes at Wembley would translate to the club's first major trophy post the Alex Ferguson era. And it would equal Arsenal's record of a 12th FA cup win.

For Crystal Palace, Alan Pardew once had a close shot at the FA cup when he was a player at Selhurts Park in the 1990s. He was in the Crystal Palace team that lost the FA cup to Manchester United in 1990. He has tried to replicate that story by fielding strong teams in the competition since he became manager of the club, and a triumph at Wembley would be a fitting finish for the Englishman.

For either side, there are players that could be instrumental to how the match would go on the day, 
Marcus Rashford who was on target against Bournemouth on Tuesday should be a key player upfront for Manchester United if he starts. The 18 year old has been a revelation since he made his senior debut in February. While Anthony Martial is another player that could turn a match on it head. The 20 year old is the club's highest goal scorer with 17 goals in his first season.
It is hard to look beyond these two players as the key to Manchester United's play on the day. Although Wayne Rooney could have a thing or two to say about that.

On the other hand, Crystal Palace have Yannick Bolasie, Connor Wickham, Bakary Kone, and Wilfred Zaha to call on. With their speed on the wings, Van Gaal's full backs would have to be on their toes on Saturday. Although, Crystal Palace would be without Welsh midfielder Joe Ledley who suffered a broken leg last weekend.

Kick off for the match is 5:30pm UK Time 

Martial Sends Manchester United to FA Cup Final

FA Cup Semi Finals
Wembley Stadium

Everton 1
Manchester United 2

Anthony Martial scored a last gasp winner for Manchester United to
send Louis van Gaal's side to the club's first FA Cup final since
2007.

The match had swung one direction in the first half when Marcus
Rashford and Martial combined to set up Maroune Felliani to open the
scoring in the 34th minute to set the Red devils on their way.

Despite looking largely subdued, Everton still created some succession
of chances which Romelu Lukaku failed to convert.

The Belgian international had a perfect chance from the spot in the
57th to pull Everton level after Tosu Mensah brought down Ross
Barkley, his penalty kick was saved by David de Gea who guessed the
right way.

Despite the miss, Everton were still in the ascendency as they
eventually got the equaliser 15 minutes from time as Chris Smalling
diverted Deflueoso's cross into his own net.

There was a lull in the game after the equaliser, as neither side
really went close to a winner, until the late intervention from
Anthony Martial who scored the winner when the match was destined for
extra time.

The win is another boost for Louis van Gaal's Manchester United as
they bid to win the first major trophy of the post Ferguson era. They
will now be overwhelming favourite to the win the cup for a joint
record 12th time with Arsenal.

The other semi final holds Sunday between London sides Crystal Palace
and Watford.

For Everton manager, Roberto Martinez, this could have been a last
attempt to savage what has been a hugely disappointing season for the
club. With huge pressure coming from fans of the club, and the change
of ownership of the Everton, he could well be overseeing his last few
weeks as manager of the Merseyside club.

Manchester United Book Passage To FA Semi Final

                                                       

Marcus Rashford celebrates his goal against West Ham, photo credit: AP

Manchester United booked a semi final date with Everton later this month at Wembley after a 2-1 win over West Ham United in a FA Cup quarter final replay at Upton Park. Teenage striker and rising sensation Marcus Rashford opening the scoring with a beautiful curling effort into the bottom corner in 54th minute, then Maroune Fellani put more gloss on the scoreline with another in the 67th minute. James Tomkins pulled a goal back in the 79th minute to give hope for a late fight back for Bilic's side. But there was nothing of such as the last ever FA cup to be played at Upton Park ended in defeat for West Ham. West Ham would be moving to the Olympic Stadium at the start of next season.

Marcus Rashford curls in the first goal on the night, photo credit: Guardian UK

The tone of the match was set at the weekend after Manchester United lost 3-0 to Tottenham Hotspur in a league match at White Hart Lane. A match they conceded three goals in six second half minutes. Phil Jones and Micheal Carrick had emphasised the importance of Wednesday's match after an inconsistent season that has left Louis van Gaal consistently under immense pressure. With the FA Cup the last hope to secure a first silverware in three seasons, the win over West Ham puts Manchester United on a pedestal to end the season on a high after what has been another disappointing campaign once again.

For West Ham United, they started the match as favourite and the 3-3 draw against Arsenal last weekend where Andy Carroll got a hat-trick was a boost ahead of the match, but the England international was largely subdued on the night.

However, the same cannot be said of Marcus Rashford who got his sixth goal in eleven matches. the 18 year's old stock continues to rise, and he has been one of the bright spots of an otherwise poor season for Manchester United.

The Old Trafford Club now look to a date at Wembley later this month.

FA CUP 4th Round: Arsenal To Face Burnley, Man United & Chelsea Get Away Ties

FA Cup Trophy Photo English FA

The draws for the fourth round of the English Fa Cup was done on Monday evening. The draw pits the cup holders Arsenal with championship side Burnley, While Manchester United will face championship high flyers Derby County at Pride Park. Premier League holders Chelsea will play either Nottingham Forest or MK Dons. The matches for the fourth round will be played on the weekend of January 29- February 1

Full FA Cup fourth-round draw

Arsenal v Burnley
Bury/Bradford City v Hull City
Carlisle/Yeovil v Everton
Colchester v Tottenham/Leicester
Crystal Palace v Stoke City
Derby v Manchester United
Eastleigh/Bolton v Leeds United
Exeter City/Liverpool v West Ham
Huddersfield/Reading v Walsall
Ipswich/Portsmouth v Bournemouth
Northampton/MK Dons v Chelsea
Nottingham Forest v Watford
Oxford United v Newport County/Blackburn
Shrewsbury v Sheffield Wednesday
West Bromwich/Bristol City v Peterborough
Wycombe/Aston Villa v Manchester City

FA Cup: Iwobi Starts, as Wenger Makes Five Changes

Alex Iwobi

Arsene Wenger makes five changes to the lineup ahead of the third round FA Cup match against Sunderland at the Emirates, Nigerian midfielder and Jay Jay Okocha's nephew Alex Iwobi makes his first start for the club. Mesut Ozil, Mathieu Flamini and Per Mertesacker did not make the squad as they are rested entirely. Arsenal begin a third defence of the FA Cup as they bid to become the first team to win the cup three times in a row for the first time in almost 120 years.

LINE UP:

Petr Cech, Hector Bellerin, Gabriel, Laurent Koscielny, Kieran Gibbs, Calum Chambers, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Alex Iwobi, Theo Walcott, Joel Campbell, Oliver Giroud

Subs : Matt Macey, Mathieu Debuchy, Nacho Monreal, Aaron Ramsey, Mikel Arteta, Chris Willock, Jeff Reine-Adelaide

FA Cup Round of 16: Manchester City draws Chelsea

The English FA Cup draws have throwed  up some interesting fixtures in the round of 16. Amongst which includes Chelsea's visit to the Etihad Stadium to play Manchester City, and Liverpool's visit to the Emirates to play Arsenal.

Full list of the draws below:

Manchester City v Chelsea
Sheffield United or Fulham v Nottingham Forest or Preston North End
Arsenal v Liverpool
Brighton & Hove Albion v Hull City
Cardiff City v Wigan Athletic
Sheffield Wednesday v Charlton Athletic
Sunderland v Southampton
Everton v Swansea City

The games will be played on the weekend of 15-16 February.