We can improve for Cup showdown, says Wenger

ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger has warned FA Cup semi-final opponents Manchester United that his side can play much better than they did in the 5-1 thrashing of Portsmouth.

The Premiership big guns have been pitted together in the last four in a remake of the 1999 semi-final, while the other match is an all-Nationwide League affair between Sunderland and either Tranmere or Millwall.

Manchester United beat the Gunners five years ago in a replay at Villa Park as Ryan Giggs scored a stunning solo goal, after Roy Keane was sent to the line, to book a place in the final and keep the Red Devils on course for their treble.

Wenger’s side have improved dramatically since and put in an accomplished team performance to see off Portsmouth in the quarter-finals.

However, the Frenchman is a perfectionist and sees room for further improvement as his side chase a record fourth FA Cup final appearance in a row.

“I think we can play much better,” he said.

“You must always strive for that. We missed passes and lost balls. It looks a bit ridiculous when you win 5-1 but if you watch the tape you will see things to improve,” he told the club’s official website www.arsenal.com.

The last time the teams met in the competition came at the fifth-round stage last season. Arsenal won 2-0 at Old Trafford.

An added incentive for the winners of the all-Football League semi-final between Sunderland and either Millwall or Tranmere is that they will also play in next season’s UEFA Cup, assuming neither Arsenal nor United fall from grace spectacularly and miss out on a European place via their Premiership position.

Sunderland were the last team from outside the top flight to reach the FA Cup final when Malcolm Crosby’s side were beaten 2-0 by Liverpool at Wembley in 1992.

This time, Mick McCarthy’s Black Cats will face either Millwall or Tranmere depending on the outcome of next week’s replay.