English football's top flight takes a temporary back seat this weekend, making way for the magic of the FA Cup's third round. The pause comes after a significant, if goalless, Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday night.
Arsenal's Title Credentials Tested in Stalemate
In their final league outing before the cup interlude, Arsenal were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Liverpool. Despite the result, which saw the Gunners fail to register a single shot between the 44th and 90th minutes, Mikel Arteta's side remain in a commanding position. They are now six points clear at the summit with 17 games of the season remaining, placing the onus firmly on their rivals to close the gap.
FA Cup Third Round Promises Upsets and Drama
The focus now shifts entirely to the world's oldest domestic cup competition. The FA Cup third round weekend is always a highlight of the calendar, often providing memorable giant-killings and opportunities for squad players. An early contender for a shock result comes on Friday night, as in-form Wrexham host Premier League side Nottingham Forest.
Elsewhere, Arsenal will aim to launch a potential 'double' bid when they travel to face Portsmouth at Fratton Park on Sunday. The holders, Crystal Palace, have a tricky away tie against non-league Macclesfield in one of Saturday's early kick-offs.
Afcon and Transfer Window Developments
Beyond the domestic scene, the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) reaches the quarter-final stage. The standout fixture on Friday sees hosts Morocco take on Cameroon in the second last-eight clash. Meanwhile, the January transfer window continues to simmer. While Antoine Semenyo has completed his move, speculation is rife about which player will be next to secure a high-profile switch as clubs look to strengthen their squads for the second half of the campaign.
