Arsenal set their sights on FA Cup success

ARSENE Wenger says the FA Cup remains “a big priority” for Arsenal despite his side already waging two-pronged assaults on the Premier League and Champions League.

The FA Cup has been good to the Gunners in recent years and Wenger’s side travel to Championship side Preston today seeking to lift the trophy for a third time in four years.

Their 2014 triumph ended Arsenal’s nine-year wait for silverware and a repeat success 12 months later suggested Wenger’s side were acquiring a winning mentality.

But their failure last season to really challenge Leicester in the Premier League title race and their current standing in fifth place, eight points adrift of leaders Chelsea, suggest the north London side still have work to do if they are to become league champions for the first time since 2004.

Wenger knows he must once again at a minimum deliver a place in next season’s Champions League, but is adamant that does not mean he will view the FA Cup, and the potential fixture pile-up that comes with it, as a distraction.

“To win the FA Cup is always a target each year,” said Wenger. “We know as well that after a congested Christmas period that the third round is always a tricky game.

“It’s a debate every year about how special the FA Cup is. ... It’s a special occasion, a special trophy and in every single country, everybody dies to win the cup.”

Arsenal go into the tie having recovered after trailing 3-0 to claim a point at Bournemouth, although the relief of avoiding defeat was tempered by the loss of two points in the title race.

Preston manager Simon Grayson has inspired a team to an FA Cup upset before, having been in charge of Leeds, then a third-tier side, when they beat Manchester United at Old Trafford in the third round seven years ago.

Despite having one of the lowest budgets in the Championship, Grayson has guided Preston to 11th place and they defeated Premier League opposition in September by knocking Bournemouth out of the League Cup.

His side have lost just once in six matches.

“I don’t think winning at Old Trafford as a Leeds fan and Leeds manager can be replaced by anything but beating Arsenal would be right up there because they’re one of the best teams in the count Grayson said. — AFP