Wenger focuses on title after FA Cup romp

Arsenal's Nicklas Bendtner (left) celebrates scoring with teammate Marouane Chamakh during their FA Cup fifth round replay match vs Leyton Orient at the Emirates Stadium, London. Arsenal won 5-0.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger turned his attention back to the English Premier League title race immediately after defeating Leyton Orient to seal a place in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup on Wednesday.
The Gunners were the beneficiaries of Chelsea's win over Manchester United on Tuesday, as their game in hand and meeting with Sir Alex Ferguson's team mean their destiny is in their own hands.
"For us, it keeps us even better in the race," Wenger said.
"I felt anyway, no matter what happened (in United's clash), whether it was a draw, would have been good as well. It just depends on us.
"It's down to our results. I say that for a long time, it depends how consistent we will be with our results. That will decide the championship."
Wenger's side face Sunderland at the weekend and warmed up for that clash by thrashing League One team Orient in the Cup, with Nicklas Bendtner scoring a hat-trick.
It went some way to getting over the disappointment of losing to Birmingham in the League Cup final at Wembley on Sunday.
They now face title rivals United in the next round at Old Trafford.
"We were professional," Bendtner said.
"After the disappointment of Sunday it was important for us.
"We know its going to be difficult against United but we very much look forward to that game when it comes.
"We just need to focus on Sunderland first."
Next week Arsenal also play the second leg of their Champions League clash against Barcelona, taking a 2-1 lead to the Nou Camp.

Arsenal's Nicklas Bendtner (L) scores the third goal during their FA Cup fifth round replay match vs Leyton Orient at the Emirates Stadium in London. Arsenal won 5-0.

Robin van Persie is set to miss that match as he is out for three to four weeks with a knee injury.
Tomas Rosicky suffered mild concussion against Orient but should recover, and there is optimism of Cesc Fabregas overcoming his hamstring complaint.
"I personally hope he will be there next Tuesday," Wenger said.
"He has a chance to play in Barcelona.
"I don't think he will be involved on Saturday - no chance. But we will try with him on Sunday and Monday and have a final test on Monday morning.
"We go from day to day. Two or three days ago thinking to play part of game if all goes well."
Orient manager Russell Slade praised Wenger for getting the best out of his players after suffering disappointment at Wembley - Marouane Chamakh and Gael Clichy were the other scorers.
"It was a hard night, we found a side in good form with a real strong focus and a spot-on attitude," Slade said.
"Mr Wenger got the performance from his players.
"They were ruthless really with the first three goals. Three attacks, three opportunities and three goals. But I was proud of the way we kept the ball and kept passing.
"We need to go away and learn from that and establish some momentum in the league and try to push and see if we can attain a top-six spot. I think we can do that."

Sweet revenge for Magath as Bayern exit Cup

Another piece of silverware slipped from Bayern Munich's grasp on Wednesday as the holders were dumped out of the German Cup after a 1-0 semi-final defeat at home to Schalke 04 coached by former Bayern handler Felix Magath, seen here on the sideline.

Another piece of silverware slipped from Bayern Munich's grasp on Wednesday as the holders were dumped out of the German Cup after a 1-0 semi-final home defeat to Schalke 04, coached by former Bayern boss Felix Magath.
A first-half goal from Schalke's veteran Spaniard Raul means the Royal Blues will face second-division MSV Duisburg in the final at Berlin's Olympic Stadium on May 21.
This is Bayern's second straight home defeat and pressure is mounting on coach Louis van Gaal with signs demanding 'Van Gaal out!' seen around the stadium.
The picture is now much bleaker exactly a week after the joy of Munich's 1-0 win at Inter Milan in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 clash as Bayern are virtually out of the league race and now out of the cup.
Last Saturday's 3-1 defeat also at home to Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund has left Bayern 16 points off the pace with 10 games left and effectively out of the title race.
"Schalke improved their hand with the early 1-0 lead, then they closed up shop in defence," said disappointed Bayern captain Philipp Lahm.
"We just couldn't find a solution."
"When we won't be German champions and cup winners, that is not a good season for Bayern."
This was sweet revenge for Magath who was sacked by Bayern in February 2007, despite leading Munich to the league and cup double in the previous two seasons.
"We knew we had a chance, but we could have done with one more goal," said Magath, whose side has struggled in the Bundesliga this season.
"We deserved this, even if we didn't contribute much in the second-half and had to defend.
"The final in Berlin is something special and I am glad we are heading there."
Raul added to Bayern's woes with his 15th goal of the season with a header in the 15th minute.
Bayern poured on the pressure after the break with Dutch winger Arjen Robben just failing to connect with a Franck Ribery cross, while Schalke's Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer denied Bastian Schweinsteiger with a header.
Robben was booked with 20 minutes remaining for clattering Neuer as Bayern were again frustrated, while Schalke's Japan defender Atsuto Uchida also picked up a yellow for fouling Lahm.
On Tuesday, Duisburg beat fellow second division side Energie Cottbus 2-1 to book their place in the final.
This is the first time since 2004, when second-tier Alemannia Aachen lost 3-2 to first division side Werder Bremen, that a second division team has reached the final.
With an automatic place in the Europa League on offer for the winners of the cup, Duisburg -- currently sixth in the second division -- are just one more giant-killing away from a European place.
They have already beaten Bundesliga teams Cologne, in the round of 16, and Kaiserslautern, in the quarter-finals, on the way to the final.

Man City ease past second-string Villa in FA Cup

Manchester City's Mario Balotelli celebrates scoring during their FA Cup fifth round match vs Aston Villa at The City of Manchester Stadium in Manchester. City stepped up their bid to end their long wait for silverware by cruising into quarter-finals with a 3-0 win.

Roberto Mancini believes Manchester City are still to see the best from Mario Balotelli, despite seeing his striker go some way to answering his calls with an eye-catching performance in the 3-0 victory over Aston Villa on Wednesday in their FA Cup fifth round clash.
The Manchester City manager questioned the Italian striker's work-rate and demanded he do more ahead of the match.
Balotelli, who cost �24million, has been struggling with a knee problem and had threatened to earn more yellow cards than goals since his arrival from Inter Milan.
But after his fine finish took him into double figures for the season, Mancini said: "Mario played well and scored a fantastic goal against Villa.
"He's improving all the time, but it's hard as he has just returned from injury. But I know there's still more to come from him."
Manchester City have been fighting on three fronts with the FA Cup joining the Europa League and the Premier League in their chase for silverware.
It's been 25 years since their last trophy but they took a step closer to achieving that aim as goals from Yaya Toure, Balotelli and David Silva, all summer signings, saw off a weakened Aston Villa side.
Manchester City will now face Reading, the Championship side who pulled off a big upset by beating Everton.
And although it appears that the Premier League title is unlikely, with Mancini writing off his team's chances, the FA Cup quarter-final is the least of his priorities.
Securing a place in next season's Champions League with a top-four finish has shot to the top of the Italian coach's list of priorities.
"Against Villa they (Villa) had the option to change.
"I don't have that option at this moment. We have been playing a lot of games. I have some tired players.

Aston Villa's Richard Dunne (right) and Manchester City's Aleksander Kolarov are seen here during their FA Cup fifth round match at The City of Manchester Stadium in Manchester. City won 3-0.

"Of course I'm pleased to get through.
"But first we need to get fourth position.
"We have been between first and fourth for 28 games. Now is the time for key games before that."
While Manchester City were given a helping hand by Villa fielding a weakened team, manager Gerrard Houllier defended his team selection.
The Frenchman, who will come under fire from his own supporters desperate for success having seen neighbours Birmingham City just win the League Cup, believes securing their Premier League status should remain their priority.
Despite an upturn in fortunes that sees them sit comfortably in mid-table, Houllier refused to dismiss his side's chances of being dragged back into a relegation fight.
"They (his players in the match) are all internationals and they are all doing well. They are proven top-class players who I picked.
"If I had to do it, I'd do it again. We have an important game against Bolton. We can still face a relegation fight, definitely."