FA Cup holders Wigan not ready to hand trophy back yet

SEMI-FINALS Today Wigan vs Arsenal 6:07pm Sunday Hull vs Sheff Utd 5:07pm LONDON - FA Cup holders Wigan Athletic will aim to cause another seismic upset after last season’s triumph over Manchester City when they face Arsenal in the first of two intriguing semi-finals at Wembley on Saturday. Hull City, who have never reached the final and whose only semi-final appearance came 85 years ago, take on once-powerful Sheffield United in the second match on Sunday. United, FA Cup winners four times between 1899 and 1925, are bidding to become the first club from the third tier to reach the final. While their Premier League status means Arsenal, the 10-times FA Cup winners, and Hull start as favourites, neither Wigan or United are likely to be easy fodder. Wigan are challenging for promotion after last season’s unwanted double when they became the first club to win the FA Cup and suffer relegation from the top-flight in the same season, while United’s form has improved after a slow start. The Shefiield club beat Premier League Fulham and Aston Villa and second-tier Nottingham Forest and Charlton Athletic on their way to the semi-final. Both matches will mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster, when 96 fans were killed at the 1989 semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Sheffield Wednesday’s ground. That match was abandoned after six minutes and the weekend games will start at seven minutes past the hour following a minute’s silence before the kickoffs. UNIQUE PROSPECT If Wigan and Sheffield United progress, the FA Cup final would be the first since the introduction of the Football League’s second division 122 years ago not to feature a top tier club. Arsenal’s last trophy was the 2005 FA Cup and manager Arsene Wenger, a four-time winner, will be desperate to end that drought and rebuild the fragile confidence of his side. The Gunners have won only twice in their last nine league matches, dropping to fourth after having led for much of the season, and they are even in danger of missing out on the Champions League next season for the first time under Wenger.