Why Arsenal's FA Cup Exit Would Not Spell Disaster for Arteta's Season
Arsenal remain in contention across all competitions, but manager Mikel Arteta faces a daunting schedule crunch if they pursue an improbable quadruple. With the FA Cup fourth round against Wigan Athletic looming, strategic squad rotation is inevitable, sparking debate among supporters about the optimal outcome.
The Quadruple Dream Versus Reality
While the allure of winning four trophies in one season captivates fans, history tempers expectations. Arsenal have secured only four trophies—all FA Cups—over the past two decades, making a quadruple seem far-fetched. The relentless football calendar, packed with domestic and European fixtures, likely necessitates prioritisation, meaning something must give.
No one at Arsenal would deliberately throw a match, but a loss to Wigan would not constitute a catastrophe. Instead, it could alleviate pressure on a squad already stretched thin by commitments. The responsibility for this fixture pile-up lies with football authorities, including the EFL, Premier League, FA, UEFA, and FIFA, whose scheduling decisions have compounded the issue.
Scheduling Blunders and Their Impact
A critical misstep has been placing the FA Cup final on the penultimate weekend of the domestic season, a move that undermines the competition's tradition and creates practical headaches. For instance, if Arsenal advance to the final on May 16, they would face Burnley in the Premier League just a day later, with a potential title-deciding clash at Crystal Palace following shortly after.
This congestion could force Arteta into an unthinkable scenario: resting key players like Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka for an FA Cup final to preserve them for more critical league matches. Rice, already appearing fatigued in recent interviews, has played 42 games for club and country this season, with up to 27 more possible if he features in March internationals. Such a workload is unsustainable and highlights the madness of modern fixture lists.
Player Welfare and Strategic Choices
Arteta can rotate his squad against Wigan and in subsequent rounds, but he must balance this with respect for the competition. Fielding only reserves or youth players would be disrespectful, yet giving fringe players meaningful minutes in a televised match offers valuable experience. Arsenal's primary focus remains the Premier League, a trophy they haven't won in over 20 years, making it the clear priority.
As fan Piers Morgan noted after a recent draw, drive and passion are essential for a title push, but these qualities are hard to muster on a gruelling fixture treadmill. Arteta and the club will undoubtedly strive to win every game, but ending the quadruple dream early might ultimately benefit their league ambitions.
In summary, while victory in all competitions is the ideal, an FA Cup exit would not be the end of the world for Arteta's Arsenal. It could, in fact, provide a strategic advantage in their pursuit of more coveted silverware.
