Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka is hoping that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will opt to rest Mesut Ozil from Sunday's FA Cup fifth-round tie against the Championship side.

The German World Cup winner has been in good form since returning from injury last month, and Karanka is well aware of Ozil's qualities having helped coach him at Real Madrid.

"Mesut is a very good lad, I spent three seasons working with him in Madrid," The Express quotes Karanka as saying. "He's an amazing player and I hope he's not on top form on Sunday.

"Maybe he's coming into form at the wrong time for us, but perhaps he can be rested for them, because Arsenal have got some big games coming up. I've not spoken to him in the build-up to the game because it's been a busy week, but I hope to see him afterwards on Sunday."

Middlesbrough secured their place in the next round with a 2-0 victory over Manchester City.