Mark
Apr 11 2003, 09:00 AM
Arsene Wenger has warned his Arsenal side not to allow their double ambitions to be wrecked by over-confidence ahead of Sunday's FA Cup semi-final against Sheffield United.
Wenger is determined to ensure that his side do not have one eye on next Wednesday's Barclaycard Premiership clash with Manchester United when they face the First Division play-off contenders.
He told the club's website: "I have seen Sheffield United a few times and they are a very, very good side."
Although Arsenal have already overcome Sir Alex Ferguson's side and Chelsea in the competition, he does not want them to take anything for granted as they seek to reach the final for the third successive year.
Wenger has therefore talked up his side's opponents, especially as they have knocked Leeds out of both cup competitions, while beating Sunderland in the Worthington Cup and taking Liverpool to the wire in their semi-final.
Wenger added: "Technically they are very sound, they are quick going forward and they've given a tough time to all the Premiership teams they have played.
"We will be favourites but we know it will be a difficult game for us."
Arsenal may be strengthened by the return of David Seaman, who is poised to make his 1,000th professional appearance for club and country.
Seaman, 39, has been stuck on 999 appearances since mid-March, when he suffered a hamstring injury just before his side took on Blackburn.
However, he has been back in full training and Wenger is hopeful that he could pass a fitness test to face both Uniteds in the space of the next week.
Wenger is determined to ensure that his side do not have one eye on next Wednesday's Barclaycard Premiership clash with Manchester United when they face the First Division play-off contenders.
He told the club's website: "I have seen Sheffield United a few times and they are a very, very good side."
Although Arsenal have already overcome Sir Alex Ferguson's side and Chelsea in the competition, he does not want them to take anything for granted as they seek to reach the final for the third successive year.
Wenger has therefore talked up his side's opponents, especially as they have knocked Leeds out of both cup competitions, while beating Sunderland in the Worthington Cup and taking Liverpool to the wire in their semi-final.
Wenger added: "Technically they are very sound, they are quick going forward and they've given a tough time to all the Premiership teams they have played.
"We will be favourites but we know it will be a difficult game for us."
Arsenal may be strengthened by the return of David Seaman, who is poised to make his 1,000th professional appearance for club and country.
Seaman, 39, has been stuck on 999 appearances since mid-March, when he suffered a hamstring injury just before his side took on Blackburn.
However, he has been back in full training and Wenger is hopeful that he could pass a fitness test to face both Uniteds in the space of the next week.