Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is wary of the threat posed by their FA Cup opponents Middlesbrough when the two teams clash on Sunday.
Wenger’s side defeated Brighton 3-2 to book their passage to the fifth round of the FA Cup, whereas Aitor Karanka’s team dispatched reigning Premier League champions Manchester City 2-0 in their fourth round tie.
The Frenchman is wary of the threat posed by Karanka’s side, who in Wenger’s opinion were very convincing in their dismantling of Manchester City.
“They suffered in the first half [against Manchester City], but they won the second half in a convincing way”, Wenger said at a pre-match press conference, via his club's site.
Middlesbrough are currently sitting atop the Championship as they look return to English football’s top flight for the first time since the 2008/09 season and Wenger has lavished praise for their creativity on the pitch.
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“They are well organised, play good football with good pace and they are very creative.”
Wenger is cautious of the threat posed by Boro as they have gone undefeated in their last eight league matches and have won their last five in succession.
“You look at their recent record in the Championship and it’s absolutely impressive. They’re on a strong run and of course we want to stop that.”
A win for Arsenal on Sunday will seal their passage to the quarter-final of the competition they won last year.
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