I’d prefer to stay at Arsenal, says under-fire manager Arsene Wenger

“It’s very hard to stop them, but you don’t want to give the players too much information”, he told AFP this week. “I am immensely proud of the players and they probably do not understand what they have achieved”, said Cowley. I don’t know. Everyone is different. We just have to go out there, do what we do and not be overawed by the occasion. But only one of Arsenal‘s last 18 matches have ended level and the visitors are fancied to outclass Sutton.

The National League side became the first non-league team in 103 years to reach the last eight by winning 1-0 away at Premier League side Burnley.

“We either play Sutton for an opportunity to be in the semi-final of the FA Cup”.

But Arsenal will need to match Sutton’s whole-hearted commitment to this competition for the gulf in class to show – and a fixture with a non-league ground, with cramped (chocolate) changing rooms and an artificial pitch is likely to do little to inspire them out of their recent mini-slump.

Most eyes will be on the one quarterfinal between two big-name teams, though.

Arsenal fans will be used to watching a game in luxury, a stand with its own concourse where they can enjoy the game in the safe company of the like-minded. “As well, I’m determined to always fight back”. “For us it’s a win-win”, said Cowley.

So no matter how upset you are after a game, maybe we should spare a thought for how Wenger feels, and even the players.

Jack Jebb also spent time on Arsenal’s books, but he – like Ben Jefford and Craig Dundas – is cup-tied. The dismal showing has once again placed Wenger’s future at Arsenal in the spotlight.

Jose Mourinho will return to Stamford Bridge as Chelsea host his Manchester United side, Middlesbrough will be at home to Huddersfield or Manchester City, and League One outfit Millwall go to Tottenham. Here is the latest team news for both sides, the key viewing details and a closer look at a contest that epitomises all that’s good about the FA Cup.

Sutton’s slender hopes of springing a surprise at Gander Green Lane would have been fuelled as they watched Bayern run amok in the Champions League. There is a responsibility on clubs like us in the community to help 16/17 year-old lads who are feeling absolutely worthless. What is important is the next game.

If Arsene Wenger takes a moment to tear himself away from how to fix a shellshocked Arsenal side following their capitulation to Bayern Munich, the economist in him would find a lot to admire about his next opponents: non-leaguers Sutton United.