The Premier League's two best teams and two most prolific strikers go head to head in the FA Cup on Saturday when Manchester United take on Arsenal in a huge fifth-round tie at Old Trafford (1715 GMT).

When the two most successful teams in FA Cup history were paired two weeks ago they were locked together at the top of the table but since then Arsenal have surged five points clear.

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There is a five-goal gap between the strikers too as United's Cristiano Ronaldo [Images] has notched up 27 in all competitions while Arsenal's Emmanuel Adebayor is up to 22. Both have scored 19 in the Premier League.

Though physically there appears to be little similarity between the Portuguese winger and Togo's most famous footballing export, the two 23-year-olds have many of the same attributes.

Both have great pace, with Ronaldo's coming in a flurry of feet while Adebayor eats up the ground with deceptive, long strides. Both have the cold eye of the best forwards, delivering calm, unflappable finishes as well as spectacular efforts.

Both players are superb in the air and adept at bringing others into the game. While Ronaldo has the edge in skill, Adebayor can point to his gangly strength as an advantage.

Adebayor has great admiration for his golden boot rival, saying on www.arsenal.com: "He is an amazing footballer and I show him a lot of respect for what he has done this season."

Adebayor has flourished in the void created by Thierry Henry's [Images] departure and looks a different player to the moody wanderer of his first season after arriving from Monaco two years ago.

His late strike in Monday's 2-0 league win over Blackburn Rovers meant he had scored in nine successive games and manager Arsene Wenger is not entirely sure what has brought about the transformation.

"I don't know what it is down to," he said. "Certainly he has found somewhere where he can express his talent and he realises it is a magnificent chance.

"But it is down to his talent and dedication as well. Did we change him or did he realise he had wasted enough time already? I don't know."

Ronaldo, who scored twice in the 3-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur that earned United an FA Cup game against Premier League opposition for the 10th successive round, will no doubt be pleased to have Wayne Rooney [Images] back to work with after he missed Sunday's 2-1 home defeat by Manchester City through suspension.

Rooney's return could tip Wenger's decision on whether to start with Ivory Coast defenders Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue, who are back from the African Nations Cup.

Only four other Premier League clubs are involved in the remaining seven fixtures and two of them face awkward away games against Championship (second division) opposition on Sunday.

Portsmouth visit Preston North End, who knocked out Derby County in the fourth round, while Middlesbrough travel to Sheffield United, conquerors of Manchester City and Bolton Wanderers already.

Holders Chelsea are at home to League One (third division) Huddersfield on Saturday while Liverpool host Championship side Barnsley.

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