Football Apr 04, 2026

FA Cup quarter-final talking points: Spotlight on Max Dowman for injury-hit Arsenal, will Liam Rosenior placate Chelsea doubters?

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
FA Cup quarter-final talking points: Spotlight on Max Dowman for injury-hit Arsenal, will Liam Rosenior placate Chelsea doubters?

Southampton vs Arsenal - Saturday, kick-off 8pm

If Mikel Arteta has spent the international break stewing on Arsenal's Carabao Cup final defeat to Man City, his mood would not have been improved by an increase in injury issues through his squad.

The Gunners are up to double figures when it comes to players sidelined or a doubt with fitness problems ahead of this weekend. While some of those injured players may be able to turn out at Southampton, Arteta will also be wary of how he manages his resources ahead of a Champions League quarter-final first leg at Sporting on Tuesday.

Balancing his squad and selections will be key if Arsenal are to keep a Premier League-Champions League-FA Cup treble bid on track.

Could that all pave the way for 16-year-old Max Dowman to start? St Mary's would be a fitting venue for England's latest teenage prodigy to build on his recent goal for the country's U19s, having been the home ground of Theo Walcott when he made his breakthrough, also aged 16.

Southampton's own selections will also be interesting. They are unbeaten in 14 games and pushing for a Championship play-off place, with a huge game at Wrexham in that battle on Tuesday. How both managers prioritise this tie could be a decisive factor.
Peter Smith

West Ham vs Leeds - Sunday, kick-off 4.30pm

Premier League survival is the priority for West Ham and Leeds, but a morale-boosting victory over a relegation rival for a place in the FA Cup semi-finals cannot be underestimated.

Just four points separate the sides with six games remaining and the pair face each other on the final day in a potential season decider. Sunday's tie provides the opportunity to make a statement before the run-in begins.

West Ham have not reached an FA Cup semi-final since 2006 before they famously lost to Liverpool in one of the competition's great finals. Leeds' wait for a spot in the last four has been even longer. It has been almost 40 years since they made the semi-finals in 1987 and they are already in rare territory making it this far.

Nuno Espirito Santo's Hammers have lost only three times in their last 10 games, to Aston Villa, Liverpool and Chelsea, and will hope winger Crysencio Summerville will return to fitness soon from a calf injury after playing a key part in that run.

Leeds' problems have been at the top end of the pitch recently, failing to score in their last four league matches although they did put three past Norwich City in the previous round.

Following the international break, this tie is about more than just a trip to Wembley with the run-in on the horizon.
David Richardson

Tags:

football news

Share this article

Related Posts

Scottish Premiership title race: Hearts boss Derek McInnes ready for 'most dramatic fixture' in finale with Celtic

Scottish Premiership title race: Hearts boss Derek McInnes ready for 'most dramatic fixture' in finale with Celtic

Derek McInnes is excited about what he believes could be the "most dramatic fixture you can have" when Hearts visit Celtic on the last day of the Scot...

Jamie Carragher says Liverpool boss Arne Slot got his tactics 'massively wrong' as Virgil van Dijk exposed in defeat to PSG

Jamie Carragher says Liverpool boss Arne Slot got his tactics 'massively wrong' as Virgil van Dijk exposed in defeat to PSG

Jamie Carragher said Arne Slot got his tactics "massively wrong" and that Virgil van Dijk will be pleading with him not to use a back five again after...

What is Alessia Russo's best role for Arsenal - is she most effective as a No 10 or striker?

What is Alessia Russo's best role for Arsenal - is she most effective as a No 10 or striker?

Your Site columnist analyses the big talking points from the latest Women's Super League matches, bringing you closer to the key stories at the heart...

Manchester United eyeing Joshua Zirkzee-Ederson swap deal with Atalanta - Paper Talk and football transfer gossip

Manchester United eyeing Joshua Zirkzee-Ederson swap deal with Atalanta - Paper Talk and football transfer gossip

The top stories and transfer rumours from Thursday's newspapers...Manchester United could be involved in a summer deal that would see Joshua Zirkzee m...

Leah Williamson, Beth Mead and Erica Meg Parkinson included in England Women squad for World Cup qualifiers against Spain and Iceland

Leah Williamson, Beth Mead and Erica Meg Parkinson included in England Women squad for World Cup qualifiers against Spain and Iceland

Leah Williamson and Beth Mead have been included in the latest England squad ahead of World Cup Qualifiers against Spain and Iceland, while 17-year-ol...

World Cup 2026 kits: England, Brazil, Spain, Argentina, France, Germany, USA, Japan shirts from Nike, adidas, Puma and more

World Cup 2026 kits: England, Brazil, Spain, Argentina, France, Germany, USA, Japan shirts from Nike, adidas, Puma and more

Fernandes: I feel at home at Man UtdBruno Fernandes has admitted he feels "at home" at Manchester United and is confident the club is c...