Michael Owen ignores Arsenal as FA Cup contenders, picks Chelsea

Michael Owen believes that Chelsea and Everton are the main contenders to win the FA Cup this season – and not holders Arsenal.

The north London side have won the competition for the last two seasons and kick off their title defence with a home clash against Sunderland this weekend.

Arsenal have made a positive start to the season and are currently two points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

However, former Liverpool and England striker Owen has picked Chelsea as his tip to win the FA Cup this season following Guus Hiddink’s appointment as interim boss last month – ahead of outsiders Everton.

Owen told Sportlobster: “I’m going to go for two teams. Chelsea as my first team – they’ve got less to focus on than a lot of other teams out there.

“Guus Hiddink last time he was in charge of Chelsea he won the FA Cup and I think that’s a good omen.

“I think they’re coming into a bit of form, their last performance was really good and I think they could have a real strong attempt at winning this year’s competition.

“The other team that I like, which might not be fancied by too many people, are Everton. I’ve been watching Everton quite closely recently – they can score goals, they are conceding a few too many, but they have a got a decent defence.

“I really like the full-backs, I really like John Stones at the back. [Phil] Jagielka’s about to come back into the fray as well.

“I think Everton are a really solid team. Their points total isn’t what it should be, they are playing far, far better than that this season, and I think Everton are going to have a strong end to the season in all competitions, but particularly in the FA Cup.”

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Chelsea have endured a disastrous start to their Premier League title defence, to leave the west London club languishing in 14th place in the Premier League table and 13 points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.

The Blues take on Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16 of the Champions League next month.