by Chris Nokes

On Monday, Cardiff City will travel to London and the Emirates Stadium to take on Arsenal, hoping to pull off an upset and progress to the Fifth Round of the F.A. Cup. In his pre-match interview that can be seen in full on Cardiff City World, Dave Jones told the press that his players were chomping at the bit at the prospect of facing their illustrious opponents for a second time.

Of course, this tie is a replay of the fixture played three weeks ago when the Gunners visited Ninian Park in the F.A. Cup Fourth round. That match finished 0-0 and, after one postponement thanks to the typically unpredictable British weather, the replay will be played on Monday to settle the tie. Dave spoke about the first game at Ninian Park and underlined the difference between that game and Monday's.

"We had a really good game against Arsenal at Ninian Park. In the second half, Arsenal really went for it, as was highlighted by the world class players Arsène Wenger brought on" said the Manager. "He wanted to win the game and maybe felt we were slightly getting on top. On Monday though, he's at home and he has the bigger stars, bigger team and bigger football club. This means they'll be under pressure, but Arsenal are under that week in week out, so it'll be no different for them".

Dave then went on to talk about the importance of Cardiff playing their own game their way and not concentrating too much on Arsenal.

"We have to hope Arsenal are not playing at their best or that they make some individual mistakes, but we've got to play our own game and play to our best abilities" he continued. "The difference with playing teams of Arsenal's quality is that if we give them any opportunity, they'll more than likely take it. Of course in cup competitions though, everyone has a chance."

Obviously with the Bluebirds in the Championship and Arsenal near the summit of the Premier League, Cardiff have been given an underdog tag for the game on Monday. The Bluebirds Manager, however, was eager to use the example of Cardiff's successful cup run last year to highlight the magic of the F.A. Cup.

"I would have thought that in any cup game, if you are playing a team above you, people will expect you to lose" said Dave. "But it's the F.A. Cup and as we showed everybody last year, anything can happen."

It has been a frustrating period for Bluebirds fans recently, eager to see their team in action but being denied by the British weather. Adverse conditions have played havoc with recent fixtures and since City's last game against Nottingham Forest at Ninian Park on 31^st January, the Bluebirds have seen their fixtures at Arsenal and Charlton postponed. Dave explained however, that the players were in good spirits and fully focused on the task ahead.

"The lads are fine, they were just disappointed that the games against Derby, Charlton and Arsenal were postponed" Dave explained. "There shouldn't be any rustiness because they've kept busy. Some have been away on International duty and the others played in the friendly with Swindon the other day."

One positive aspect of this break has been a period of prolonged recovery from injuries for the likes of Peter Whittingham and Gabor Gyepes.

"Whitts is back in full training and had thirty minutes of the game at Swindon" Dave revealed. "Gabor is back in training today and tomorrow, then we'll assess whether we risk him or not against Arsenal."

There wasn't such good news for Stephen McPhail or Peter Enckelman though who both have suffered injuries of late. Dave was on hand to give us the news on their possible return dates.

"Stephen took a knock in the stomach and when we took him to hospital, we found out he had bruised his pancreas. He stayed in the hospital for a few days just to be safe and came out yesterday, but he won't be fit for a couple of weeks. Peter will be out for six to seven weeks too unfortunately."

Be sure to watch the whole interview on Cardiff City World and hear Dave's views on team sprit at the club, goalkeepers and the trip to the Emirates Stadium.