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FA Cup Round 5
Old Trafford
Saturday, February 16, 2008, 5.15pm
Manchester United
Arsena
By Richard Clarke
Saturday will be an occasion in which Arsenal and Arsène Wenger have to dig deep.
The manager admits he must delve down into his squad just to put out a side against Manchester United in the FA Cup Fifth Round tie. On Friday afternoon, the Frenchman claimed he had only 14 fit outfield players and several struggling members of his squad would have to travel up north in the hope of recovering overnight.
With that in mind, those who emerge from the tunnel at Old Trafford know they will have one almighty battle on their hands.
Apart from the injuries, Arsenal are actually in fine fettle right now and the word "treble" has just started to peek into the odd press conference. Of course the manager dismisses the notion out of hand but it is certainly not stretching a point to suggest that Arsenal's future in all three remaining competitions will be influenced by this game.
Last weekend Wenger's men moved five points clear of Manchester United at the top of the Premier League. Surely a win at Old Trafford with an injury-ravaged side would give them a psychological edge when they return in April for the critical fixture in the title race?
Secondly, Arsenal entertain a resurgent Milan on Wednesday in the Champions League Knockout Round first leg. And, at his pre-match press conference on Friday, Wenger was certainly suggesting that Saturday's game would set the tone for a vital week.
"We will dig deep tomorrow because we want to win the game and we want to qualify," said Wenger.
"Manchester United are a big club and certainly they will want to respond to the two disappointments they had recently, so it promises to be an interesting tie tomorrow.
"We will fight, don't worry. It's always better to win because it makes you stronger. I believe highly in that influence. You want to win and you want to win the big games especially because it makes your whole squad stronger.
"And I certainly feel they are still in the title race anyway. Two games ago we were second. That shows you how quickly it can change from one day to the next. And this year, it changes very quickly."
Wenger could do with his injury situation doing something similar before the 5.15pm kick-off (UK time) on Saturday.
Nine players are out and three will travel with injuries. The definite absentees are: Johan Djourou (groin), Robin van Persie (thigh), Abou Diaby (calf), Manuel Almunia (sick), Denilson (hamstring), Tomas Rosicky (hamstring), Theo Walcott (thigh), Alex Song (muscular) and Bacary Sagna (personal reasons). The travelling players are: Philippe Senderos (knee), Gael Clichy (hamstring) and Emmanuel Adebayor (hamstring).
There was a moment of humour - even though it is no laughing matter - at the press conference when Wenger was asked if a youngster like Henri Lansbury, 17-years-old, might be drafted in.
"Lansbury has glandular fever," replied the manager.
Of course, Manchester United have the same three trophies in their sights. They are not suffering the same injury crisis and it could be argued their upcoming Champions League tie will be a little less testing.
However Wenger believes both sides will go for it on Saturday, especially as replays are not required at this stage of the season.
"I expect them to play a full strength side," said the 58-year-old. "Maybe I’m wrong but I expect them to play with their best possible team.
"Of course you can never predict it but usually the cup games [between these sides ] are very good and both teams go for it.
"Both teams will do that because we don’t want a replay and Manchester United don’t want a replay as well that is why it should be an exciting game."
And a pivotal one too.
