Arsenal and City eye trophy haul, Macclesfield seek another ‘miracle’

Arsenal and Manchester City take a break from their battle at the top of the Premier League to try and remain on course for a quadruple this weekend as Wigan and Salford seek monumental FA Cup shocks.

Aston Villa and Newcastle are aiming to end their seven-decade waits for FA Cup glory when they face off in the tie of the round.

Sixth-tier Macclesfield produced arguably the biggest ever upset in the competition’s history by knocking out holders Crystal Palace in the last round and have another Premier League scalp in their sights against Brentford.

City have already matched the greatest season in English football history three years ago by joining Manchester United’s class of 1998/99 in winning the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup in the same season.

But no side has ever won all three of those titles plus the League Cup.

Arsenal and City will face off for the first silverware of the season next month and the unprecedented quadruple remains on for both clubs.

The Gunners hold a four-point lead over Pep Guardiola’s men at the top of the Premier League, but City have home advantage when the sides meet in April.

City are “exhausted physically and mentally” as they prepare to face Salford but are looking forward to a brief respite from their gruelling fixture pile-up after the fourth-round game, Guardiola said on Friday.

“Our priority is beating Salford and going to the next round. In this competition, over the last years, (we have been) reaching finals, finals and finals,” Guardiola told reporters.

“Unfortunately we could not win the last two finals but being there is always a success. I always think about that.”

The Gunners host Wigan, winners of the FA Cup in 2013, who currently sit in the League One relegation zone.

Fourth-tier Salford, co-owned by United legends David Beckham and Gary Neville, head to the Etihad hoping to avoid a repeat of the 8-0 thrashing they suffered at the hands of City last season.

Karl Robinson is adamant Salford will be a better side when they return to the scene of last season’s crushing defeat.

They will now make the same short journey in England’s northwest in the fourth round on Saturday and the Salford manager is confident of a very different game.

“Last year was really emotional,” said Robinson. “It wasn’t too long ago our owners were leaning on iron bars watching non-league football.

“To then walk out at the Etihad in front of 60,000 with their football club was incredible. That’s the journey of all journeys.

“This year we have other things to worry about. We have a different mindset. We’ve learned from last year. We’ll be way more prepared.”

Villa are the best of the rest behind the Premier League’s top two, but with winning the title now a distant dream, Unai Emery’s men are aiming to end a 30-year wait to win a major trophy.

Villa’s last FA Cup success was back in 1957, two years after Newcastle last lifted the trophy.

The Magpies ended their 70-year drought for domestic silverware by winning the League Cup last season.

Sitting 10th in the Premier League, Eddie Howe’s side may need FA Cup glory to salvage an otherwise disappointing campaign.

However, Newcastle have struggled on the road all season and are likely to be without influential captain Bruno Guimaraes due to a hamstring injury.

The 117 places that separated Nations League North Macclesfield from Palace was the biggest gap ever overcome by the underdog in FA Cup history.

But they could break their own record on Monday when Brentford, who sit seventh in the top flight, visit Moss Rose.

“We went into the Crystal Palace game thinking it would take a miracle, but on the day the lads were outstanding and were fully-deserved winners,” said Macclesfield boss John Rooney, the brother of former England and Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney.

“There will be a lot more eyes on us, expecting an upset, but that’s testament to the club, to the players, to the staff, everyone who made the day possible.”

Agencies