FA Cup talking points: Mohamed Elneny makes Arsenal debut, Kelechi Iheanacho stakes claim
Sunday 31 January 2016 11:45, UK
It was an FA Cup fourth-round Saturday short on upsets as most of the Premier League big boys kept their names in the hat.
Shrewsbury got the better of Sheffield Wednesday to secure their place in the fifth round, but the likes of Bournemouth, Tottenham and Arsenal all avoided lower-league banana skins.
So what were the big talking points? We take a look at five, including the continued rise of Nacer Chadli and a positive debut for the Gunners new signing...
NEW AND OLD FACES IMPRESS
Arsenal's 2-1 victory over Burnley was just the boost they needed. Alexis Sanchez made his first start since injuring a hamstring in the Gunners' 1-1 Premier League draw at Norwich in November, and he grabbed the all-important winner.
"Overall, I was not too worried about Sanchez on the fitness front because I kept him out," Wenger said in his post-match press conference. "Two weeks ago he was already there physically. He's had a long rest now, you could see physically he was ready."
That was not all, though, with Francis Coquelin back in the heart of the action in Arsenal's midfield and Tomas Rosicky coming off the bench to make his first appearance of the season.
Throw in a solid debut from new signing Mohamed Elneny and Wenger has a number of excellent options at his disposal as we reach the business end of the season.
"I felt Elneny started a bit cautious, played a bit secure," Wenger added. "He became more adventurous, he had some good shots on goal. This was a good welcome today and certainly he has learnt a lot today."
IHEANACHO STAKING A CLAIM?
Kelechi Iheanacho's hat-trick in Manchester City's 4-0 win at Aston Villa means the 19-year-old has now scored a goal every 65 minutes for the club.
This was a superb performance from the youngster, displaying confidence, calmness under pressure and no little ability. It was not only his finishing that caught the eye, but his willingness to work for the team and look to play others in.
Manuel Pellegrini admitted after the game that Iheanacho could even be involved in City's Champions League squad ahead of the registration deadline on Tuesday, and with Wilfried Bony's injury concerns, why not?
"It's a decision we are going to take this week before the last date," said Pellegrini. "Of course he pushes a lot. We need him because of Bony's injury."
Bony insists he is happy at City despite a lack of sustained first-team football since joining from Swansea last January, but Iheanacho's continued good form may have him looking over his shoulder.
CHADLI IMPRESSES AGAIN
The Spurs man told Mauricio Pochettino he could play up front before the game, and Chadli proved his versatility again with another impressive display.
The Tottenham winger has scored or assisted six of Spurs' last eight goals in all competitions, and he has quietly established himself as a key component of Pochettino's strong squad.
It was a case of 'job done' for the Premier League side as Chadli's brace in the 4-1 win over Colchester took his tally to four in three games, and Pochettino was happy to play up his side amid trophy talk after the game.
"I think we were always in control," Pochettino added. "Maybe we conceded some chances, but I feel very pleased because of the result. We have quality enough and a strong squad to try to fight for every competition. Then we'll see."
LIVERPOOL'S FIXTURE CONGESTION
Jurgen Klopp made 10 changes for Liverpool's FA Cup fourth-round match against West Ham, but they'll do it all again after the Reds battled to a 0-0 draw at Anfield.
The Liverpool manager joked that his side will have to play two games on the same day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, to get them all played, and the matches are starting to pile up.
They've already played eight games this year, and another replay means they're likely to play another eight in February. That works out as two games a week for two months straight, but Klopp insists his side is up for the challenge.
"That's the situation but it's nothing to moan about," the Reds boss told the club's website. "It is like it is and we have to decide who we can send into the games.
"The most important thing is that everybody could see our line-up was not disrespectful against the FA Cup, which I was asked before the game. It was really the other way around - we thought this was the best chance for us to go through."
BERAHINO MAKES HIS CASE
Making his first start since October, Saido Berahino made sure he grabbed the headlines at The Hawthorns with deadline day looming.
The Baggies striker, who has been linked with Newcastle and Tottenham, struck twice in a 2-2 draw against League One side Peterborough, and manager Tony Pulis hailed his ability after the game.
"When you put Saido in front of goal, he's a goalscorer," Pulis said. "His sharpness is nowhere near what it was last year and you can see that as much as I can.
"Not playing football certainly knocks your fitness and sharpness but one thing you certainly can't take away from the kid is calmness in front of goal. He has that wonderful, wonderful ability to put the ball in the back of the net."
The wonderful knack for finding the target is why so many Premier League clubs may take a long, hard look at Berahino before Monday. He's a risk, but goalscorers are hard to come by.
