The FA Cup is back and exciting!

The fifth round of the FA Cup isn't over yet, but with the "big names" Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool, and Chelsea all reaching the quarter-finals, this long-standing competition has truly become exciting again.

The fact that the four title contenders Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool, and Chelsea have all qualified for the FA Cup quarter-finals has breathed new life into the competition, foreshadowing incredibly exciting matches in the remaining stages of the world's oldest football tournament in England.

For many years, the FA Cup has always been unpredictable because the big teams rarely set specific goals, especially when they are always stretched thin in the Premier League and European competitions. The "big clubs" often employ a strategy of using reserve squads in the opening rounds, allowing "dark horses" from the Championship or League One to advance further.

The general trend has changed considerably this season, with Premier League teams all playing with great determination to go as far as possible in the FA Cup. Manchester City is a prime example, with Pep Guardiola's side making strong progress in the FA Cup after reaching the League Cup final, while still being considered a strong contender in both the Premier League and the Champions League.

Manchester City maintained their familiar ball-control style, showcasing flexible attacking capabilities and imposing their game despite having to rotate their squad across multiple competitions. Newcastle, in this context, inadvertently became a "practice opponent" for Man City, extending their streak of draws and losses against "The Citizens".

Man City played the most effective and incisive attacking game in the FA Cup Round of 16. (Photo: MANCITY FC)

Liverpool's qualification for the FA Cup quarter-finals shows that the Merseyside team still maintains its composure in cup competitions. Under manager Arne Slot, Liverpool continues to pursue an energetic style of play, with aggressive pressing and quick attacking transitions, knowing how to overcome periods of poor form to continue their journey towards conquering at least one trophy.

Arsenal continues to demonstrate character and valuable experience in a season where they are highly rated but haven't always been able to maintain the necessary consistency. Experts readily agree that the "Gunners" have had moments of underperformance, but importantly, they have consistently earned points, and even won, to secure their position in every competition.

Under manager Mikel Arteta, every Arsenal player has been given the opportunity to showcase their full potential. The Gunners entered their Round of 16 clash against Mansfield Town with a squad largely composed of reserves, yet they all shone. The maturation of young players like Max Dowman and Marli Salmon has helped the North London club maintain its competitiveness across multiple competitions. The FA Cup, in particular, holds special significance as it has been a long time since Arsenal last lifted this prestigious trophy.

In West London, Chelsea is also showing positive signs. The team is gradually stabilizing under the leadership of new manager Liam Rosenior. Their squad, the youngest in English football, is increasingly showing confidence while their playing style is becoming clearer. Their victory in the round of 16 not only secured Chelsea's place in the FA Cup quarter-finals but also gave them added momentum for the remainder of the season, specifically to continue competing in the Premier League and the Champions League.

The FA Cup is likely to feature all eight Premier League representatives, giving teams outside the "big" a chance to play the role of "dark horse". Therefore, surprises are entirely possible, including the possibility of a draw that eliminates the big teams early on – a characteristic of this competition for many decades.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/fa-cup-hap-dan-tro-lai-19626030820320499.htm