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Gunners hoping to rebound from upset

Updated: 2011-03-02 07:49

(China Daily)

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FA Cup replay becomes all the more important to Wenger's side now

LONDON - A routine FA Cup fifth-round replay against League One side Orient on Wednesday has been transformed into a challenging test of Arsenal's character and nerve following its League Cup final defeat at the hands of Birmingham City.

Arsene Wenger's side had been widely tipped to collect its first trophy since 2005 against its Premier League rival but stumbled in agonizing fashion, losing out to a late goal following a horrible defensive slip.

The inquest started immediately at Wembley with the Gunners' mental strength placed under scrutiny as well as the potential impact such a disappointing defeat might have on the rest of the campaign.

Wenger's side remains in contention for three trophies with the Orient clash kick-starting a run of three games that will affect its hopes in the FA Cup, the Premier League and the Champions League.

Yet while the return meeting with the League One club was assumed to be little more than a minor obstacle on the way to a quarterfinal meeting with Manchester United at Old Trafford after the first game, it will now be approached with caution.

"Of course (it will be difficult) but that is part of our job, to pick ourselves up," said Wenger.

"We have massive challenges in front of us and we do not want to miss them because of this final minute of the game.

"This team has produced a fantastic season until now so we need to support them, try and get behind them and pick them up. Until now they have been fantastic and they have to finish the season as well as possible."

The reaction of centerback Laurent Koscielny and keeper Wojciech Szczesny will come under particularly close examination.

It was the lack of communication between the pair that led to Birmingham's winner ; although Wenger may give the duo breathing space if he elects to make wholesale changes as he did for the original tie.

Robin van Persie will definitely miss out after injuring his knee in the final while Theo Walcott and Cesc Fabregas will again be missing.

"Big games are decided by whoever makes the mistakes and unfortunately we made a big one," Czech midfielder Tomas Rosicky said.

"We have to pick ourselves up immediately. We have a game on Wednesday and we have to perform.

"The season doesn't finish now. We are still in a good position in other competitions. We have to forget this and concentrate on other games now.

"Leyton Orient is a very important game and we want to go through to the next round of the FA Cup."

Agence France-Presse

(China Daily 03/02/2011 page22)

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