Cardiff boss Dave Jones is warning Arsenal they will have to be at their ‘very best’ to beat the Bluebirds in tonight’s FA Cup fourth round replay at the Emirates.
A home tie against Burnley in the fifth round is the reward for the winners, followed by a quarter-final clash with either Sheffield United or Hull.
The in-form Welsh outfit, currently fifth in the Championship, are unbeaten in their last 12 games and they will be cheered on by a travelling contingent of around 7,000 Cardiff fans.
A bullish Jones said: “We will go out to win and I don’t think it is beyond the realms of possibility to do that – if Arsenal are not at their very best, then obviously we have a better chance of turning them over.
“Arsenal are like us, they simply can’t turn up and turn the tap on and off. They will have to be at full pelt to beat us.”
Jones has never been to the Emirates before in his managerial career but he admitted he was impressed with Arsenal having watched Arsene Wenger’s men in their recent goalless draw at neighbours Spurs.
“Even with ten men (after defender Emmanuel Eboue was sent off), they were outstanding. We know what we are up against, but we can only prepare and be organised for a hard battle,” added Jones, whose side held the ten-time FA Cup winners to a 0-0 draw in the first encounter at Ninian Park.
“That’s what we will do but we will be doing it knowing we have a decent chance. I don’t see any point in me or any of my players going to Arsenal in any other frame of mind other than being confident.
“What’s the point of thinking any differently? I want to keep that winning mentality in my players’ minds, even if the opposition is Arsenal.”
Arsenal striker
Eduardo is back in training after a year out with a broken leg, although the Croatian international is unlikely to feature tonight. Eboue is suspended, while former Bluebird Aaron Ramsey is struggling with knee ligament damage but full back Gael Clichy has recovered from the head injury he sustained against Tottenham.
Arsenal boss Wenger said: “We want to keep the run going in every competition, the longer it lasts the stronger we will be.
“If three draws put together doesn’t look good then put in the 11 games together and that looks like we’re on a run. We want to transform that bit of disappointment from a draw into a convincing victory.”
The Gunners have won four and drawn seven of those 11 matches and the last side to beat Wenger’s men was Porto in the Champions League on December 10th.
