Bring on the big guns by Sam P
I think that most Arsenal fans, along with Arsene Wenger and the players, were really hoping that Blackburn Rovers could take advantage of Liverpool´s slump in form and a few suspensions to some key players to do the Gunners a big favour in our quest to retain the FA cup this week.
As we know it did not happen and Liverpool narrowly managed to book their place in the Wembley semi-final where they will face Tim Sherwood´s Aston Villa, on the day after we face the Championship side Reading. Wenger and the players must focus fully on getting to the final first rather than who we will face if we get there, but the clear favourites to make that final will be us and Liverpool.
With Villa under real threat of relegation it is clear what their priority will be, while Brendan Rodgers knows that he needs a miracle to somehow manage a top four finish. So assuming things go to form, Arsenal will not have won the title but should have improved on last season´s fourth place and on May 30th will run out to face a Liverpool side desperate for a trophy to rescue a disappointing campaign.
This will definitely be a hard game for the Gunners, as Liverpool will have the likes of Skrtel and Gerrard back and Sturridge could be back to his best by then. But there is a saying that things are better when you have to really struggle to achieve them.
If Arsenal do retain the famous old cup it will make us the most successful side in the competition and Wenger the most successful manager, so it is worth a little extra effort. And although we would rather not face Liverpool in the final, won´t it make it all the sweeter to win it against them?