Arsenal and Manchester City briefly pause their relentless Premier League title tilt this weekend as both clubs eye an unprecedented quadruple. With the League Cup final looming next month and Champions League progression secured, the English giants remain on course to make history if they can navigate tricky FA Cup ties against Wigan and Salford respectively.
Pep Guardiola’s City, who matched the historic 1999 treble three years ago, now aim for a clean sweep never before seen in the English game. They host fourth-tier Salford City at the Etihad, while Mikel Arteta’s Gunners welcome 2013 winners Wigan Athletic, who currently languish in the League One relegation zone.
Away from the title chasers, Aston Villa and Newcastle United meet in the undisputed tie of the round, with both desperate to end decades of FA Cup hurt. Unai Emery’s Villa are seeking their first major trophy in 30 years, while a struggling Newcastle side must cope without injured captain Bruno Guimaraes as they look to salvage their season.
However, the romantic heart of the competition remains with sixth-tier Macclesfield, who stunned holders Crystal Palace in the previous round. Managed by John Rooney, the Silkmen are hunting another “miracle” against seventh-placed Brentford, hoping to prove that the magic of the cup is still very much alive at Moss Rose.
