Wenger sounds warning for Gunners

ARSENE WENGER has warned his Arsenal side not to allow their double ambitions to be wrecked by over-confidence ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Sheffield United.

Wenger is determined to ensure that his side do not have one eye on next Wednesday’s Barclaycard Premiership clash with Manchester United when they face the First Division play-off contenders.

Although Arsenal have already overcome Sir Alex Ferguson’s side and Chelsea in the competition, he does not want them to take anything for granted as they seek to reach the final for the third successive year.

Wenger has therefore talked up his side’s opponents, especially as they have knocked Leeds out of both cup competitions, while beating Sunderland in the Worthington Cup and taking Liverpool to the wire in their semi-final.

Wenger told the club’s website, www.arsenal.com: “I have seen Sheffield United a few times and they are a very, very good side.

“Technically they are very sound, they are quick going forward and they’ve given a tough time to all the Premiership teams they have played.

“We will be favourites but we know it will be a difficult game for us.”

Arsenal may be strengthened by the return of David Seaman, who is poised to make his 1,000th professional appearance for club and country.

Seaman, 39, has been stuck on 999 appearances since mid-March, when he suffered a hamstring injury before his side took on Blackburn.

However, he has been back in full training and Wenger is hopeful that he could pass a fitness test to face both United’s in the space of the next week.

Martin Keown may, however, miss out on Sunday as he could still be short of fitness after a hamstring injury and Wenger could decide to save him for the game against Manchester United.

With Pascal Cygan suspended this weekend, the Arsenal boss may turn to Oleg Luzhny, who has been out for five weeks with a calf injury but played in the reserves on Monday night, rather than Igors Stepanovs.

Robert Pires is, meanwhile, another major doubt with an ankle injury, while Giovanni van Bronckhorst faces a fitness test on a similar problem.

Ashley Cole is nevertheless set to return at left-back, having been a substitute at Villa Park last weekend following a hernia operation.

“It’s never easy to watch. It isn’t so bad when we are winning, but it’s a little bit harder when we’re losing or drawing,” he said.

“But the boys have done well. We’re still top of the Premiership by goal difference so if we can keep going and keep concentrating, then hopefully we will win the League again.”

As for the FA Cup semi-finals, in which Arsenal have avoided the other remaining Premiership contenders Southampton, Cole added: “It’s the draw we would have liked.

“But they are taking their League form into this game and are probably confident they can get a result.

“So we won’t underestimate them but as a team we are confident because we have the talent at Arsenal to beat them.”