The FA Cup semi-finals are taking place this weekend, and Arsenal’s old rivals Manchester United will be facing Championship side Coventry City.
Man United will be aiming to reach their second FA Cup final in a row, where they could face Manchester City or Chelsea, and are the favourites against Coventry despite their poor form in the Premier League.
Coventry, who lost the Championship playoff final last season, will be heading back to Wembley hoping to cause an upset, and they will have one former Arsenal youngster within their squad in Ben Sheaf.
The 26-year-old left Arsenal permanently in the summer of 2021 to join Coventry, for whom he has made 139 appearances, after coming through alongside the likes of Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson.
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Former Arsenal youngster Ben Sheaf hoping for FA Cup upset
Sheaf has now told FA media that there will be no fear from his side as they take on Man United at Wembley on Sunday.
“There’s no fear, really. We’ve got to look at it like we’ve got nothing to lose. A lot of us are really looking forward to the game,” he stated.
“We know on our day we can be a real good test for anyone. United have got some top players and they’re a good team, but we’re really looking forward to the game.
“I’d like to think playing against Man United and those sorts of Premier League teams can become a regularity for us and hopefully we can get to the Premier League, but I definitely don’t take these moments for granted, we want to go out there and enjoy it.”
Ben Sheaf’s time at Arsenal before Coventry success
Sheaf made two senior appearances under Arsene Wenger in the 2017-18 season, with one coming against Red Star Belgrade in the Europa League, and one coming in an EFL Cup quarter-final against West Ham United.
The Englishman was a versatile option at youth level, having played across the back four, in midfield and even on the right wing.
He now plays as a central defensive midfielder, and has often captained his side this season.
Wenger once praised Sheaf, claiming that he is “always ahead of the game and his anticipation quality is absolutely huge,” and whilst he did not end up finding success at the Emirates, he has the chance to write himself into history with a big result against Man United.
