The Arsenal squad appeared in high spirits in training ahead of a testing FA Cup fifth-round clash with Middlesbrough at the Emirates on Sunday.
With a quarter-final spot up for grabs, the Gunners will have their work cut out to progress past the Championship leaders, who are unbeaten in 10 matches.
Arsene Wenger is set to ring in the changes to the Arsenal side that beat Leicester 2-1 on Tuesday.
Talisman Alexis Sanchez is due to be rested after taking a heavy knock to the knee against the Foxes. However January signing Gabriel Paulista is set to start at the back in place of Per Mertesacker or Laurent Koscielny.
In addition, Wojciech Szczesny will start in goal in place of David Ospina, Kieran Gibbs could replace Nacho Monreal at left-back, while Jack Wilshere could make his return to action following a four month injury lay-off.
Wenger insisted in his pre-match press conference that the FA Cup, which he has won five times with the Gunners, remains a crucial target for Arsenal.
Nevertheless, Wenger insists the cup holders are, as always taking the competition seriously.
‘It is important to us and we have always taken it seriously,’ said Wenger.
‘We did not always manage to win it, but we have won it five times during my period here. Nobody has won it more in the last 18 years, so we have always taken it seriously.
‘Sometimes so seriously that we suffered in the Champions League after. Many times a cup game was in front of a Champions League game – for instance this week we play in the cup and then next week in the Champions League.
‘Many times we lost some players. I remember against Manchester United when we played against Chelsea in the Champions League three days later we lost some because we took the game seriously.’
Source:Dailymail.
No comments:
Post a Comment