Arsenal and Chelsea Target No FA Cup Shocks
Arsenal travel to Mansfield and Chelsea meet Wrexham in the FA Cup fifth round, as the Premier League sides seek to dodge humiliating defeats by lower league opponents, while Liverpool aim to settle the score after a tough loss against Wolves.
AFP Sport examines three key discussion points before this weekends fifth round matches:
Wrexham Samples Elite Level Action
With owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney from Hollywood bringing plenty of fame already, Wrexham will get a glimpse of their ambitious future when Chelsea arrive at the Racecourse Ground on Saturday.
Wrexham are pushing hard for promotion to the Premier League to complete a remarkable journey since Reynolds and McElhenney took over in 2020.
Sitting sixth in the Championship, Wrexham hope to secure a fourth promotion in a row this season, bringing big names like Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City to their unassuming town in north Wales next year.
Keeping that dream alive, Phil Parkinsons team can test themselves against top competition from the eight time FA Cup champions Chelsea.
Wrexham already overcame Nottingham Forest in the third round this campaign.
Parkinson wants to revive the same determination that saw the club, back in the fourth tier, pull off a memorable FA Cup victory against Arsenal in 1992.
"You must approach every match with confidence, or theres no point showing up," Parkinson remarked.
"We need to enter with faith, yet also embrace the underdogs mindset and hit all the right notes to challenge Chelsea as much as we can."
Mansfield
Mansfield manager Nigel Clough carries a notable legacy as the offspring of one of soccers legendary coaches, yet the FA Cup has remained out of reach for his lineage.
Nigels father Brian steered Derby and Nottingham Forest to a league title apiece and claimed the European Cup twice with Forest, but he never lifted the FA Cup.
His nearest attempt was a 1991 final loss to Tottenham, with young Nigel featuring in Forests forward line.
Brian Clough passed away in 2004, but Nigel continues the quest for FA Cup triumph, and at 59, he has an opportunity to deliver a major surprise when league leading Arsenal come to Field Mill on Saturday.
Clough has taken Mansfield to the FA Cup last 16 for the first time in over five decades, following a win over Burnley in round four.
Lying 16th in League One, eliminating Arsenal would mark an extraordinary feat.
"We faced their youth side in the Youth Cup earlier this season and lost 4-0. A couple of those youngsters would trouble our senior squad, highlighting just how strong they are," Clough noted.
Liverpool Needs to Respond to Wolves
After skipper Virgil van Dijk called their display "sluggish and foreseeable" following a surprising 2-1 Premier League defeat at Wolves on Tuesday, Liverpool head back to Molineux on Friday to make amends.
Arne Slots team delivered one of their poorest showings in a challenging season, allowing the leagues bottom club Wolves to grab just their third victory thanks to Andres late goal.
Even after investing £450 million ($599 million) in fresh talent over the summer, Liverpool are struggling to defend their crown, making the FA Cup and Champions League their remaining shots at trophies.
Stuck in sixth position, the Merseysiders have suffered from injuries, and Slot, facing criticism, explained: "Our setup doesnt involve 25 players ready here.
"It stings more when you deal with three or four serious injuries right now."
Fifth round fixtures (all times GMT)
Friday
Wolves v Liverpool (2000)
Saturday
Mansfield v Arsenal (1215), Wrexham v Chelsea (1745), Newcastle v Manchester City (2000)
Sunday
Fulham v Southampton (1200), Port Vale v Sunderland (1330), Leeds v Norwich (1630)
Monday
West Ham v Brentford (1930)