"We can watch Arsenal for their last 10 games. It would just frighten the life out of us. We'll do some rudimentary work on corners. We know roughly how they're going to come in, whatever their personnel. But if top Premier League teams can't deal with them, I don't know how a bottom-half League One side is meant to."
"I don't want the players worrying unduly. There's only one ball coming in at any one time. Deal with it."
Mansfield manager Nigel Clough prepares his League One side for an FA Cup fifth-round match against Premier League leaders Arsenal. Clough expresses realistic concerns about Arsenal's quality, particularly their aerial threat and corner-taking ability, noting that even top Premier League teams struggle against them. He emphasizes keeping players focused without excessive worry, stressing that dealing with one ball at a time is key. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta fields a squad featuring six forwards and gives senior debuts to 16-year-olds Marli Salmon and Max Dowman. Arsenal has already eliminated Portsmouth and Wigan this season, seeking to maintain their quadruple pursuit.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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