FA Cup: Wigan boss, Rolser takes lessons from Everton for Arsenal clash

Wigan manager Uwe Rosler said all the pressure is on Arsenal and will follow Everton’s lead and learn from their triumph over Arsenal, ahead of their FA Cup semi-final meeting at Wembley.
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With Arsenal seemingly out of contention for the Premier League title, the FA Cup is now Arsene Wenger’s only hope of silverware after nine years without a trophy and face the current holders on Saturday.

Rosler lead the Latics to an excellent 2-1 victory over Manchester City in the last round and admitted that he had followed the lead of his predecessor and now current Everton boss Roberto Martinez.

“I watched the game last Sunday and it was another very impressive lesson from Roberto, tactically how Everton approached the game,” said the German.

“Not a lot of people focused on how disciplined and how focused Everton Football Club operated in the first 20-25 minutes without the ball.

“Everybody knows Roberto is focused on ball possession but how well the team worked against the ball at the beginning of game was very impressive.

“There were good pictures for me to learn from and also take one or two things on board, like I did with Manchester City in the last round.”

Despite Arsenal being clear favourites to win the FA Cup, with Sheffield United and Hull contesting the other semi-final, Wigan are hoping to feed off any possible anxiety surrounding the London club.

Rosler admitted that he would have preferred Everton have lost to Arsenal last weekend and that they go into the next game with greater expectation and pressure.

“For us it would have been better if they had a fantastic result last weekend but they didn’t. That creates more pressure on them,” added the 45-year-old.

“I don’t think they will underestimate us at this stage of the competition. I think they will be expecting a team that is very much on the front foot from the beginning and wanting to win the tie early on.

“The longer we can stay in the game, the longer we can create uncertainty around Arsenal supporters, the better it is for us.

“There is a little bit of unrest there, expectation is sky high and the longer we are in the tie the more difficult it will be for Arsenal.”

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The Championship outfit have upstaged top-flight clubs Manchester City, Cardiff City and Crystal Palace en route to the final four and Rosler said the onus is firmly on Arsenal to win following recent disappointments.

“We’re going to Wembley and we’re meeting a top team in the Premier League,” Rosler told reporters.

“We are the massive underdog but we have presented ourselves so far in a very, very good way. We’ve made our supporters proud and we’re going to Wembley; we can’t lose, we only can win.

“Everybody highlighted the fact Arsenal now really have to go for the FA Cup and win the FA Cup. Their own players said that this week and obviously that puts a little bit of extra pressure on Arsenal.”

Arsenal have won three of the past four games between the two teams, including last year’s 4-1 league triumph at Emirates Stadium.

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