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Featured Sport News

Big guns set for semis

Author: Sir David Smith
Date: 18/04/2009

The true football romantics will be disappointed to see this season's FA Cup semi-finals being played out by four of the Premier League's top sides.

Last term the likes of Cardiff City and Barnsley sprang shocks in the latter stages, before Portsmouth emerged victorious with a 1-0 Wembley win over the Bluebirds in the showpiece final.

This season the old order has been restored, with Arsenal and Chelsea going head-to-head at teatime on Saturday, before betting favourites Manchester United face Everton on Sunday.

Both clubs in the first semi will go into the game on the crest of a wave after reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League, although the Gunners have a number of injury worries, especially in defence.

Bacary Sagna is struggling with a virus and Kieran Gibbs has a groin strain, with Gael Clichy (back), William Gallas (knee) and Johan Djourou (knee) already ruled out.

First-choice keeper Manuel Almunia is also absent due to an ankle injury, with Lukasz Fabianski left to deputise.

However, Arsene Wenger's side have found their form in front of goal in recent weeks and will be further boosted by the return of Andrey Arshavin, who was cup-tied in midweek.

Chelsea have few injury concerns and will welcome back influential skipper John Terry after a European suspension - an important factor given that the Blues have conceded seven goals in their last two games.

Arsenal and Chelsea met in four successive seasons in the FA Cup between 2000 and 204, with the Gunners unbeaten in five meetings, including a 2-0 Final victory in May 2002.

United and Everton have only met once in the competition since the Toffees sprang a surprise in the 1995 Final, when Paul Rideout's close-range header was enough to see off Fergie's men.

The only subsequent clash saw the Red Devils win 2-0 at Goodison Park in a fifth round tie in February 2005.

Sir Alex Ferguson's men remain top of the Premier League and are also in the last four of the Champions League, where they will face Arsenal, but, truth be told, their recent form has been less than convincing.

A Ronaldo rocket clinched a 1-0 midweek win away to FC Porto, but again the expected fluency of United's star-studded line-up was largely absent.

That lack of bite could play into the hands of an Everton side that are always up for the fight and blessed with more quality than they are often credited with.

The absence of talented Spanish playmaker Mikel Arteta could prove fatal to David Moyes' side's chances of glory.

Louis Saha needs to recover from illness to feature against his former side, while a former Evertonian, Wayne Rooney, is certain to be given his usual 'warm' welcome from the Merseyside faithful.

However, many of the fans of both teams may just be wondering why the FA have made them travel all the way to London for their big day.

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