Wenger calls for show of heart

Arsene Wenger maintains his Arsenal stars must show no fear when their FA Cup ambitions are put on the line at Ninian Park on Sunday.

Striker Robin van Persie has already warned his team-mates to expect a hot reception at the famous old ground, which is set to be demolished when the Bluebirds move to their new stadium at the start of next season.

But Wenger, who continues to remain hopeful of landing main transfer target Andrei Arshavin, insists whichever XI he fields will be able to handle the pressure, saying; "It should help us to focus and prepare, but not worry us because that would mean we are scared and we are not scared."

He added: "We know in a cup tie away from home against a Championship team you need full commitment.

"We are a Premier League team at the top of the league and that is why we want to show when we go to these kinds of places that we can compete and show everyone why we are where we are."

Wenger continued: "We are confident, but what we want is to keep our run going and a good focus on every game.

"Every game we win makes us stronger and that's why we want to win the next one.

"This will, though, be a tricky cup game against a good Championship side, so you want to be on your toes and focused."

Wenger, meanwhile, remains relaxed about Arsenal's chase for Arshavin. Zenit St Petersburg appear to have softened their stance on the £20million fee demanded for the 27-year-old playmaker, and have indicated a "logical conclusion" to the protracted saga could soon be achieved.

"I am not frustrated because I understand the situation," said Wenger. "You know in football that you need the agreement of three parties to buy a player. You have to accept that everybody has a price and when the buyer has a certain amount of money and not more. If it doesn't work, it doesn't work."