Why the FA Cup could shape West Ham and Arsenal's destiny
So the FA Cup doesnt mean as much as it used to, apparently. Really Tell that to fans of Wigan, Hull or Sheffield United.
It certainly matters to them. And also, in a whole different way, it means plenty to West Ham and Arsenal fans because it could end up helping decide both teams Premier League destinies.
For Gunners fans, the weekends results took them a huge step closer to ending the (at the time of writing) 3215-day wait since their last trophy. It also means their League game with West Ham needs to be rescheduled, and the new date will be hugely important, as it may impact on their chances of winning the title and West Hams of staying up.
With their first leg loss to Bayern Munich leaving them with a mountain to climb in the Champions League, the FA Cup is now Arsenals strongest chance of silverware, but with Chelsea seven points clear of the third-placed Gunners, having played one game more and the two teams meeting on March 22, a League and Cup double is still a possibility. Lots of hypotheticals, but it could happen.
Were results before and including March 22 to close the gap to one point, Arsenal would then have their game in hand, against Swansea, and could go into the final seven games of the season two points clear of Chelsea.
Looking at both teams run-ins, on paper Arsenal have the more challenging fixtures, including Manchester City, Everton and Newcastle, whereas of Chelseas remaining games, Liverpool are their only current top 10 opponents. In those circumstances, the timing of the West Ham game could prove all-important with April 22 or 23, the Champions League semi-final days, likely candidates should Arsenal be free.
Similarly, at the other end of the most unpredictable Premier League table in ages, any number of ifs, buts and maybes could decide the destinies of a host of clubs including West Ham.
Their position in early March, looking down on half the table from 10th position, seems a lifetime away from Januarys staring down the barrel of relegation, but with just six points between them and the drop zone, easing off is certainly not an option.
The Irons remaining fixtures throw up some daunting challenges and their final four are against Crystal Palace and West Brom two sides with plenty to play for Tottenham, and title-chasing Manchester City. Stick Arsenal into that home straight somewhere and the terrain becomes even more difficult.
Other clubs particularly Norwich have tougher-looking run-ins, but West Hams own recent revival shows how quickly fortunes can change, and a hilltop from which to look down on your rivals can become a slippery slope.
In the battles at both top and bottom, it is always better to have been dealt your cards and played them, rather than waiting, fingers crossed, hoping for a good one to come out of the deck. But that is the situation West Ham and Arsenal could find themselves in thanks to the FA Cup. It still matters.
