Thursday, 24th April, 2014
Arsenal defender Nacho Monreal is of the opinion that the FA Cup is more prestigious than the Copa del Rey.
The Gunners reached the final of the domestic cup competition after edging out defending champions Wigan Athletic on penalties earlier in the month.
And Monreal, who also has experience of playing in the Spanish Cup during his stints at Osasuna and Malaga, feels the FA Cup is deemed more important in England than its counterpart in Spain.
The 28-year-old elaborated by saying that in Spain, La Liga is the main priority for most of the teams while in England, every club give their all to lift the FA Cup.
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“Yes, the Spanish Cup is very different to here”, the Spanish international told his club’s official site.
“There are fewer teams, it’s on a two-legged basis, home and away – it’s another competition in another format.
“I don’t think it’s got the same prestige as here as there are fewer teams. It’s not seen as being important over there, teams don’t treat it like here where everyone gives 100 per cent to win it.
“In Spain it’s just another competition, for many the league is the main priority, even staying up, so the Spanish Cup hasn’t got the same ring to it or importance as it has here.”
Arsenal will face Hull City in the final of the FA Cup on 17th May at the Wembley in view of ending their nine-year trophy drought.
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