The FA Cup has seen 183 team changes across 14 ties, sparking debate over the competition's significance. Despite widespread squad rotation, BBC chief football writer Phil McNulty maintains the cup retains its traditional magic.
Managers frequently rotate squads due to an increasingly congested fixture calendar, including an expanded Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup. This has led to top clubs often fielding second-string teams, with upsets by lower-league sides becoming more common.
Recent FA Cup changes include the abolition of replays in full rounds and the final being played during the league season. These adjustments, agreed by the FA and Premier League, aim to strengthen the competition and secure exclusive broadcast slots. Additionally, the cup-tied rule has been altered, allowing players to represent two different clubs in the same FA Cup season.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed plans to rotate his squad for their recent fourth-round tie against Wigan Athletic, as the club competes on multiple fronts. Similarly, Liverpool's FA Cup victory over Brighton also raised questions regarding squad rotation and youth integration.
