After Arsenal's 2-0 win over Middlesbrough in round five, many pundits tipped the Gunners to retain the FA Cup and win it for a record 12th time. Before the draw, Arsenal were the bookies favourite but after the draw their odds slipped dramatically. In the tie of the round Arsenal were drawn away at Old Trafford, to face the only other team who have won the cup as many times as they have, Manchester United. So, after the disappointing draw, are Arsenal still the favourites and if not who are?
According to Sky Bet, Arsenal have 3/1 odds to win the FA a Cup, behind Manchester United at 5/2 and the favourites Liverpool at 2/1. Last season, when Arsenal went on to win the cup, they weren't favourites until the semi final stage. Arsenal have form in the FA Cup; it's been over 700 days since Arsenal last lost an FA Cup match. Arsenal know how to handle cup pressure; last season they were underdogs against Liverpool in round five, but Arsenal managed to grind out a 2-1 win. Also, as Arsenal's top players come back into form, Mesut Özil being just one, it could all be coming together at the right time for Arsenal, as they look to end their terrible run at Old Trafford. The quarter final is just one of three matches Arsenal have to win to retain the cup, but some say that if Arsenal can beat United then they can beat any other team left in the competition.
United's story is like that of Arsenal. If they can beat Arsenal, then they have a huge chance of going on and winning the cup. United though don't really have cup pedigree; no one in their squad has ever won the FA Cup and the last time they won it was in 2004. For a club like United that's too long, but United have to get past Arsenal first.
Liverpool are the favourites, according to the bookies. They drew Blackburn Rovers at home in the draw, which could be a difficult game. Blackburn have beaten Stoke and Swansea City in the cup this season and Arsenal's last FA Cup loss came against Blackburn. If Liverpool make it through, and many people are saying they will, then they could be the team to beat. They may have to beat the winner of the United-Arsenal tie, but this is the FA Cup and anything could happen. After news of Steven Gerrard's departure at the end of the season many pundits have been saying that it's written in the stars for Liverpool to win the cup. The final would be his last ever match for Liverpool and coincide with his 35th birthday. So, the stars could be aligning for Liverpool and their captain.
Of course, there are 5 other teams left in the cup, including League 1 Bradford City. The FA Cup has thrown up shock winners before, so anyone left in it could win it. Aston Villa, West Brom, Reading, Blackburn and Bradford aren't seen as favourites though.
Before the draw, Arsenal were the favourites. Now after the draw, they're not. Arsenal srill have a huge chance of winning the trophy, if they can overcome Manchester United. If they do, they'll probably be favourites again. It's the FA Cup, anything could happen.
