SM
Cagliari vs. Juventus: 2 hrs 37 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
SU
FA Cup | Fifth Round
Feb 20, 2017 at 7.55pm UK
 
AL

0-2

 
FT(HT: 0-1)
Perez (27'), Walcott (55')

Arsene Wenger wary of Sutton United's artificial pitch

:Headline: Arsene Wenger wary of Sutton United's artificial pitch: ID:292162: from db_amp
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admits that adapting to Sutton United's artificial pitch is the biggest challenge his side will face during their FA Cup fifth-round clash.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has claimed that the biggest threat his side will face during their FA Cup fifth-round clash with Sutton United will be the hosts' artificial pitch.

The Gunners travel to Gander Green Lane looking to avoid being on the wrong end of one of the biggest cup upsets of all time against a non-league Sutton side who have already eliminated AFC Wimbledon and Leeds United against all the odds this season.

Wenger has had his side training on a 3G pitch in an attempt to get them used to the different surface, but concedes that it could still have an impact on the game.

Asked what the main dangers facing his side on Monday night would be, Wenger told reporters: "First of all the pitch. Secondly their enthusiasm and thirdly that we are not ready for a big fight and subconsciously think that they are a non-league team and it is no matter - but that will not happen.

"Ideally we would like to play on a normal pitch but it has been accepted and the competition is to deal with what you face. We will face an unusual pitch and we will have to deal with it. We will practise inside because it is an artificial pitch. It is not the same because it is a dry pitch and Sutton I have heard have a wet pitch which they water before the game and is quicker.

"The weight on the joints is different and you cannot slide to block every time so it makes football a bit different. The ball comes to you suddenly and accelerates and does not slow down like in a normal game, so we have to get used to the different speed."

The winners of the tie will face Lincoln City - another non-league club - in the quarter-finals of the competition.

amp_article__292162 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2017-02-24 10:05:41:
html db last update - 2021-03-11 01:45:25 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Arsene Wenger

Click here for more stories about Arsenal

Share this article now:
Read more about Arsene Wenger Football
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
2Arsenal32225575264971
3Liverpool32218372314171
4Aston Villa33196868491963
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle321551269521750
7Manchester UnitedMan Utd32155124748-150
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham33139115258-648
9Chelsea31138106152947
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves32127134651-543
12Fulham33126154951-242
13Bournemouth32119124757-1042
14Crystal Palace3289153754-1733
15Brentford3388174758-1132
16Everton3298153248-1627
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3379174258-1626
18Luton TownLuton3367204670-2425
19Burnley3348213368-3520
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3237223084-5416
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .