Wenger plans double-double success

Arsene Wenger sends out Arsenal against Sheffield United tomorrow in search of a fourth FA Cup final appearance in six seasons and urging them to make history by securing a double domestic double.

Wenger is still set to continue his FA Cup policy of resting a handful of key players, especially with a vital Premiership game against Manchester United to come next Wednesday at Highbury.

He therefore may not start with either – or even both of – Thierry Henry or Dennis Bergkamp, with Francis Jeffers having started in each round of the cup so far.

David Seaman and Ashley Cole should nevertheless both start after injury, with the England keeper set to make his 1,000th professional appearance for club and country.

However, Robert Pires is ruled out with an ankle problem, meaning that Ray Parlour or Edu could feature in midfield.

And Wenger must also decide whether to select Martin Keown in defence, with the centre-back due to undergo a fitness test on a hamstring injury.

“I would never take a chance on an injured player. I will assess Martin Keown on Saturday and see if he can play,” he said.

Oleg Luzhny is on standby to replace Keown as Pascal Cygan is suspended for tomorrow’s game.

Wenger is still determined to ensure that his side do not throw away their chance of becoming the first team to win back-to-back Premiership and FA Cup doubles.

“There are four weeks to go in the season and we can make a second double. Who would refuse that?” he said.

“It is difficult to do the double once. To do it again is even more difficult and it is still far from being done.

“We will go for it as much as we can on Sunday. We have put a lot of effort into getting this far in the FA Cup and so we will not go out there now and say it doesn’t matter to us.”

Arsenal certainly have a proud FA Cup record over recent seasons, having lifted the trophy in 1998 and 2002, as well as losing the 2001 final.

That defeat to Liverpool rankled with Wenger and his team, spurring them to last season’s success.

“It was a painful moment in our lives, as we were in a position where we hadn’t won a trophy for three years so it hurt to miss out,” admitted Wenger.

With Watford facing Southampton in the other semi-final, there are two First Division sides in the last four this season.

“I believe the level in the Nationwide League has gone up as you have more good players in there,” observed Wenger.

“There are two reasons for that. Firstly, you have more academies with players who don’t make it in the Premier League.

“Then there are so many foreign players in the Premier League that some good English players now go down to the First Division.

“You can see that at Sheffield United. Several of their players would have been playing in the Premier League five years ago. The same is true with Watford.”

The Arsenal boss therefore dismisses the idea that his side have done the hard work in defeating Manchester United and Chelsea en route to the semi-finals.

“It is normal that we are the favourites but the FA Cup is still the FA Cup,” he said.

“I believe that it will be a game that we will have to put every ounce of energy into as we must be careful.”