Just how important is the FA Cup to Arsenal?

Arsenal take on Everton at home in the FA Cup on Saturday with a chance to make it through to the semi-finals of the tournament.

With only Manchester City left of the big boys, there is every chance that the Gunners could well go on to make it to Wembley if they can overcome the Toffees on Saturday.

However, with the dream of winning the Premier League still in sight, does the cup competition prove as a distraction?

There is no doubt that the club need to win silverware and soon. Having not lifted a trophy since 2005, the strain on the club’s fans and the monkey on Arsene Wenger’s back continues.

Not winning for a prolonged period of time can take its toll on the collective confidence, just as in horse racing when a jockey does not record a victory over a number of races. As a result the odds of victory become longer at Betfair and winning can be something of a mental obstacle.

With the teams left in the FA Cup this is a glorious opportunity to end the trophy drought and give the fans something to feel proud of after a number of near misses in recent years.

However, the chance of winning the Premier League is as high this season as it has been in the recent memory, with the title race having no clear favourites.

At the time of writing, any one of the top four realistically can become English champions by putting a run of wins together.

With the strain of the Champions League taking it toll too, Arsenal risk missing out on winning something by spreading themselves too thin.

There is no doubt that on their day the Gunners top starting XI can go toe-to-toe with anyone in England. However, with both Chelsea and Manchester City having more strength in depth than Wenger’s charges and Liverpool only having the league to focus on, Arsenal are at a disadvantage.

It is only natural that the hosts will go out to win the game on Saturday, which they will if Wenger puts out a strong team. However, a repeat of the draw against Everton that happened at the Emirates Stadium in the league last year would be a nightmare scenario – an extra fixture is not needed and a defeat would almost be better.

With the games coming in thick and fast, Wenger must weigh up the importance of the three competitions the club are still in and will inevitably be judged at the end of the season by whether or not the club have won silverware.Сео услугисео оптимизацияСео

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