Buoyed by their smashing 3-0 midweek victory over Villarreal in the Champions League, an elated but injury-riddled Arsenal side, face the daunting prospect of tackling the Chel$ki Blues at Wembley this Saturday in the FA Cup Semi-Final.

This is an extremely crucial game for Arsenal in many ways. After 4 years without adding to the trophy cabinet, it is realistically one of the Gunners two chances for silverware this season, the CL being the other. Secondly, this game could set the tone for the rest of the season, which wraps up with a schedule from hell, that features ManUre 3 times, Chel$ki twice, and Liverpool once.

This win would put us one up against the winner of the ManUre/Everton match in the Cup Final, bolstering the confidence of an often emotionally-fragile young squad and helping maintain our momentum. A loss (such as last year’s 5-1 FA Cup thrashing at the hands of the Blues) not only reduces our silverware chances to one, but could erode team confidence and morale, and prove devastating at this point of a decidedly uneven season.

Arsenal has extended their unbeaten streak once again, posted a shut-out with a patched up defense, scored 3 goals and and welcome back CL-tied Arshavin into the squad, they face a task made more difficult with young Kieran Gibbs now being listed as doubtful, due to a knock picked up in the last game. With Sagna still recovering from the flu, our threadbare defense becomes even thinner with Gallas and Djourou already unavailable. If neither Gibbs or Sagna are available, Song would be pushed into service at CB alongside Toure, with Eboue and Silvestre on filling out the rear flanks.

The loss of Song at DM, who has shown himself as being the only player at this time to pair with Cesc effectively in CM, would certainly be devastating. Denilson would then be Cesc’s partner, and while a decent player, he just does not provide the passing vision, hard tackling and aerial ability of Song. This could also restrict Cesc as he would have to assume a more defensive posture and therefore reduce our attacking capabilities.

Chel$ki on the other hand, is coming off 2 crazy games in which they have allowed 7 goals, 3 against bottom-feeders Bolton and 4 against Liverpool in the CL. Although conceding 7 goals they came away with a 4-3 win against Bolton in the EPL, maintaining 3rd place, and a 4-4 draw against Pool which sent them into the CL semis against Barca because of superior aggregate (7-5).

The Blues are at full strength however, with the return of Captain John Terry who will probably start alongside Carvalho. With Essien, Ballack and Lampard teaming up in midfield, joined by either Malouda or Mikel, their quartet of players are ideally suited to giving Arsenal fits as they provide speed, craft, hard tackling and superior aerial ability.

With Drogba up front as a solitary striker or paired with ex-Arsenal great, Anelka, on paper Chel$ki must be favorites to win this clash, although they have inexplicably crashed and burned on a number of occasions this season. Most of their flameouts however, occurred under fired manager Scolari, and new coach, Gus Hiddink, seemed to have re-established consistency and a winning attitude.

The FA Cup semis, being played at Wembley for the first time, presents a neutral site, although both clubs should be well represented by their London fans.

While my heart yearns for an Arsenal victory, my brain tells me Chelsea should eke out a narrow victory. However, a victory by my beloved Arsenal, although it would be surprising, would certainly put us one step away from winning the FA Cup, which ironically, is the last trophy we hoisted four years ago.

LET’S GO GUNNERS