Saturday’s briefing: Robertson takes plaudits and Arteta has warning for Arsenal

The FA Cup fifth round got under way on Friday night as Liverpool swept past Wolves, inspired by an evergreen Andy Robertson, and attention now turns to Arsenal’s trip to League One Mansfield.

Fellow Premier League title hopefuls Manchester City are also in action against Newcastle, while Chelsea visit Wrexham in Saturday’s other tie.

Meanwhile, Leeds have urged fans to respect a pause in play for Ramadan during Sunday’s FA Cup tie at home to Norwich.

Slot salutes Robertson

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot praised the enduring quality of Robertson after the veteran defender scored one and created another for Mohamed Salah in the 3-1 win at Wolves.

The Scotland captain, who turns 32 next week, made the crucial breakthrough against the hosts’ massed ranks in the 51st minute with a 25-yard drive and less than three minutes later crossed for his team-mate to fire into the roof of the net.

Curtis Jones added the third to render Hwang Hee-chan’s added-time consolation academic.

“If you talk about a goal and an assist, the first player you think about is probably not a full-back,” said Slot of Robertson, who could possibly have left the club in January after a bid from Tottenham.

“He loves the club and he loves to play in front of these fans. Robbo has in the one-and-a-half years I am here given everything for the club and the fans will say he did it in all the years I was not here.”

Arteta warns reputations on the line

Mikel Arteta warned Arsenal’s reputation could be damaged if they were knocked out of the FA Cup by Mansfield.

The Gunners were beaten in the third round by Nottingham Forest, then of the Championship, in 2018 and again in 2022 and have progressed beyond the fourth round only once since 2017.

Victory in the competition in 2020 during Arteta’s first season in charge was the club’s last trophy and the pressure is on to finally end a six-year wait for silverware.

“We’ve been knocked out a few times in a difficult way and it’s a terrible feeling,” said Arteta. “It feels like it damages your reputation. We don’t want to go through that.

“I’ve been long enough in this country to understand that being favourite doesn’t mean anything. When it comes to that competition, at that time of day, in that ground, I know they’re going to have the belief and the conviction that they can beat us.”

City still in title race, says Guardiola

Pep Guardiola admits Manchester City are not a “complete” team but insists their title hopes are still alive and believes next season will be better.

City, who take on Newcastle in the FA Cup this weekend, suffered a damaging blow as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Nottingham Forest in midweek, leaving them seven points behind Arsenal.

Yet, City have readily bounced back from disappointment during Guardiola’s tenure and the manager expects them to do so again.

The Spaniard said: “Normally we react well. We have the ability to forget quick. We are not a complete team to compete, that is the reality, we are in the process of many changes.

“If we can learn quicker, still nothing is lost, we can arrive in the last month with the chances, but I’m pretty sure next season will be better. I don’t have doubts about that.”

Leeds urge fans to show respect

Leeds have called for fans to respect a pause in play during Sunday’s FA Cup tie at home to Norwich to allow players observing Ramadan to break their fast.

A similar halt to play in Leeds’ recent defeat to Manchester City at Elland Road was met by boos from some sections of the ground, leading to widespread condemnation.

Leeds, who face boss Daniel Farke’s former club in a 4.30pm kick-off, said in a statement they were “asking for respect to be shown”.

The club said: “At an appropriate time following sunset in Leeds at 5:56pm, which will be around the 75th minute of our clash with the Canaries, the referee will call a halt to proceedings for a brief period allowing players from both sides to take on fluids and energy supplements in line with agreed protocol.

“A pause also took place during our Premier League fixture with Manchester City last weekend, which led to booing from some supporters which was disappointing and unexpected.”

What’s on today?

Quadruple-chasing Arsenal face a trip to Nigel Clough’s Mansfield in the FA Cup fifth round, while Wrexham host Chelsea and Newcastle host Manchester City.

In the Championship Frank Lampard’s table-topping Coventry travel to Bristol City and third-placed Ipswich are up against struggling Leicester.

Elsewhere, England take on Iceland in a Women’s World Cup qualifier at the City Ground.