Arsenal will not be playing any first-team football this weekend as the FA Cup takes centre stage.
The Gunners are set for a rare Saturday and Sunday off as they look to prepare for the final part of the 2024/25 season.
In the Premier League, Arsenal are now 13 points behind Liverpool at the top of the table and would need to win all of their remaining games and hope for a collapse from the Reds to stand any chance of claiming the title.
The Champions League represents a good chance for some silverware, but they have ended up on the same side of the draw as Real Madrid and Liverpool.
However, a weekend off could give them a much-needed boost ahead of facing PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League round of 16.
Why are Arsenal not playing this weekend?
It is FA Cup fifth round weekend coming up and Arsenal aren’t playing because they’ve been knocked out.
The Gunners were drawn against Manchester United in the third round at home.
Given the way Man United were performing under Ruben Amorim, it looked like a good chance for Arsenal to progress.
But after a 1-1 draw, the hosts lost 5-3 on penalties.
That left Arsenal in just one of the domestic cups, but they were beaten 4-0 on aggregate by Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
So, there is no more domestic cup action for Mikel Arteta and co.
Instead, there will be a chance for Arsenal to rest and reset.
After a 0-0 draw to Nottingham Forest in midweek, one Arsenal fan phoned talkSPORT’s Sports Bar to say that it is time for Arteta to go.
He said: “Toothless, spineless, the process is officially, officially over. Honestly, I can’t take this anymore and we are in danger.
“We may get out of the top four this year. I don’t know who’s going to score our goals. Pathetic.
“We’ve done nothing. Toothless, spineless. End of the season.
“Please grow a pair and get rid of this manager. Don’t give him another penny to spend on left backs, because that’s all he’s going to do.”
