Arsenal and Manchester City may have a renewed focus on FA Cup glory after disappointing defeats in Europe this week.

The famous knockout competition could be the two teams’ best chance of silverware this season, with Arsenal eliminated from the Champions League on Tuesday and City needing to overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit against Dynamo Kiev in the Europa League’s last 16.

Both sides trail Manchester United in the Premier League title race — though Arsenal can move level if they win their game in hand — and FA Cup success has suddenly become a major target for Arsenal and City.

Arsenal visit United today in the standout match in the quarter-finals while City host Reading, the only non-Premier League team left in the competition, tomorrow.

Whether the United game comes at a good time for the Gunners is open to question.

It represents the perfect opportunity to bounce back from the 3-1 defeat at Barcelona and strike a blow ahead of the Premier League title run-in. But manager Arsene Wenger also knows his brittle squad needs a breather, having been in action every three or four days since the start of February, apart from the week set aside for international friendlies.

Injuries to key players have hit the team at the worst possible time, with Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny the latest to be ruled out — joining a list of absentees that already includes keepers Lukasz Fabianski and Vito Mannone.

“We have Wojciech out, in my opinion for six weeks. We have Fabianski out for the rest of the season. We need absolutely some cover in goal,” said Wenger, who will hand the gloves to Manuel Almunia.

“We need now an experienced goalkeeper as cover for Almunia because Mannone is out for six weeks so we cannot call on him.”

Wenger, whose side is without a trophy since 2005, is also missing captain Cesc Fabregas (hamstring) and winger Theo Walcott (ankle) but United have their own injury problems.

Portugal winger Nani was ruled out yesterday until April because of a gashed leg, depriving the team of its biggest creative influence this season.

Nemanja Vidic returns from suspension but fellow center back Rio Ferdinand is still out with a calf injury.

Ferguson acknowledged it is a crucial period of the season for United, who play Marseille in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 match on Tuesday, but have lost three of their last five matches in the Premier League.

“We have big opportunities at the club and there are a lot of challenges ahead for the rest of the season,” said Ferguson. “It is terrific to be involved in the middle of March. Every game you play is of importance.”

City — facing similar fixture congestion to Arsenal — have looked tired in their last two matches, when they were lucky to beat Wigan 1-0 in the league and then came up short in Kiev.

Italy striker Mario Balotelli is a doubt after coming off in the second half against Dynamo after having an allergic reaction, reportedly to the type of grass at the Ukrainian side’s stadium.

Captain and topscorer Carlos Tevez and midfielder Nigel de Jong should make the team after starting on the bench in Europe but James Milner is expected to be missing with a hamstring injury.

Reading knocked out Premier League side Everton in the fifth round to make the last eight for the second season running. The team is undefeated in seven matches and currently eighth in England’s second tier.

In tomorrow’s other match, Stoke host West Ham. The other quarter-final sees Bolton travel to Birmingham today.