Arsene Wenger says Arsenal will learn from Manchester City and Liverpool’s mistakes - and will not be surprised by Middlesbrough.
Aitor Karanka’s side knocked Liverpool out of the Capital One Cup on penalties before beating City 2-0 in the FA Cup fourth round at Etihad Stadium in January.
Wenger insists Arsenal will not be caught cold and says his side are aware of how dangerous Sunday’s visitors can be.
"They are well organised, play good football with good pace and they are very creative"
Arsene Wenger
“It’s a big challenge but a big opportunity as well,” the manager said. “If we qualify we are in the quarter-final and that’s of course a big excitement for us to focus. We have the luck of the draw to play at the Emirates, so let’s take this opportunity.
“We won’t be surprised by them. At least we will not have the excuse to be surprised because they beat Manchester City in a convincing way. That is a good warning for us.
“We are at home, we have a possibility to go to the quarter-finals so we cannot be surprised by them, that’s for sure. In the Championship, any team that plays at the top is a danger for any Premier League team.
“They suffered in the first half [against Manchester City] but they won the second half in a convincing way. They are well organised, play good football with good pace and they are very creative.
“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.”
Arsene Wenger
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