Wenger wants FA Cup win fillip

Arsene Wenger has challenged his Arsenal team to set themselves up for two crunch league fixtures by knocking Swansea out of the FA Cup.

Last Updated: 05/01/13 at 13:57 Post Comment   

Arsenal: Cup tie at the Liberty

Arsenal: Cup tie at the Liberty

The Gunners will be looking to maintain momentum when they travel to Wales on Sunday from a five-match unbeaten run which has taken them back to within striking distance of the top four - a gap which could have been closer had they not laboured to a frustrating 1-1 draw at Southampton on New Year's Day.

Champions Manchester City come to Emirates Stadium in a week's time, which is followed up by a trip to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea and both games are set to fully test the character of Wenger's side.

"The best way to prepare for our games against Manchester City and Chelsea is to come out on top against Swansea, which will be a difficult tie," Wenger told Arsenal Player.

"The FA Cup is always important, but we are on a good run overall and we want to keep that going."

Wenger added: "It (the Premier League) is tight, every game is massive which is why consistency is so important.

"All the teams are difficult to beat and if you are not completely at your best, it does not work."

Wenger will always retain a special relationship with the FA Cup, having won it four times between 1998 and 2005, as well as defending a record of never losing in a third-round tie.

However, given the Gunners shock Capital One Cup exit at npower League Two Bradford, the world's oldest knockout competition now takes on extra significance in the quest to end their trophy drought.

Wenger, though, will take the same approach to every other match as he looks to deliver a positive result against the team which beat his side 2-0 in the league at Emirates Stadium on December 1.

"People try always to create pressure around every game, but that is part of our job. We want to just win our next game," he said.

"We are on a good run and I hope that Swansea will face a different Arsenal this time."

Wenger has been impressed by Swansea's continuity under new manager Michael Laudrup, with Spanish striker Michu having impressed with a late double at Emirates Stadium.

He said: "Swansea have done excellent work, with good technical players and which suit the way they want to play.

"All of their buys have been intelligent buys."

Wenger is himself on the lookout for some reinforcements during the January transfer window.

After freeing up a striker slot following the loan of Morocco misfit Marouane Chamakh to West Ham, the Gunners could move for some attacking cover, especially given Gervinho is set for the African Nations Cup.

Arsenal are reported to tracking both Atletico Madrid's Adrian Lopez and veteran Barcelona forward David Villa.

Wenger, meanwhile, hinted he could yet resurrect a loan move for former captain Thierry Henry during the Major League Soccer closed-season - although any imminent short-term deal with New York Red Bulls appears unlikely.

"At the moment it is definitely (off), but if we have big injuries and Thierry wants to do it... (however) we have not gone as far (as that) because we look more for permanent people," Wenger said.

"At the moment we have (Olivier) Giroud available, (Theo) Walcott available, we are not too short in this department, so we will see."

Football365 Facebook Fan Page

The Football365 fan page is a great place to meet like minded people, have football related discussions and make new friends.

Related News

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

I

m absolutely disgusted that I've been misquoted in saying that if a chance came up to join Arsenal I would be interested. What I meant to say is if Man United or Chelsea were interested......

gulliver
Agent cools Benteke exit talk

L

FC league positions and points from last 4 seasons - 7 (61), 8 (52), 6 (58), 7 (63). Werner calls it progress, I call it mid table stability.

kolev_lfc
Reds progress delights Werner

I

s there a PR agency covering Begovich, Odemwingie, Steven Fletcher and Grant Holt or something? Why would you offer a quote like that without having been announced by either club. #headsshoulderskneesandtoesgone

Havelange
Begovic hints at Liverpool move

Footer 365

Champions League final: Mats Hummels salutes Bayern Munich after Wembley win

Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels admitted Bayern Munich deserved to be crowned champions of Europe.

Rogers set to join LA Galaxy

Robbie Rogers is set to join MLS side LA Galaxy, despite admitting to being a "little scared" to return to the game after coming out as gay.

Premier League: Everton provoke fan anger with new club crest

Everton have provoked a backlash from fans after revealing a new club crest.

Mail Box

Wayne Rooney Is Just An Average Athlete

That's the difference between him and someone like Cristiano Ronaldo - his body just isn't right. We have mails on him, Sparky, Brendan Rodgers and the Europa Lge...

Saving The Europa League And More...

Nice one UEFA, but not far enough. We have some ideas to make the Europa League better as well as more views on Wayne Rooney, Vermaelen in midfield and...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved