Wenger worried about artificial pitch ahead of Arsenal's FA Cup clash
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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is concerned that the artificial pitch could prove worrisome in their fifth round FA Cup clash against Sutton United tonight. Wenger also warned the Arsenal players against complacency when facing the lower-league club and called on them to be ready for a big fight.
Wenger saw challenges for the visitors ahead of their travel to Sutton United for today's clash.
"Firstly, the pitch," he said.
"Secondly, their enthusiasm. Thirdly if we are not ready for a big fight. Subconsciously if we think 'no matter, it's a non-league team, we will pass', that will not happen.
"Ideally we would like to play on a normal pitch. But it has been accepted so... competition is also about dealing with what you face. We face an artificial pitch and we have to deal with it," he said, reported Reuters.
"I've heard that Sutton have a wet pitch, they water it before the game so it'll be much quicker," Wenger added.
"It means the weight on the joints is stronger, you cannot glide, you have to block every time so it makes football a bit different because the ball comes to you and somebody accelerates and doesn't slow down like in a normal game so you have to get used to the difference in speed."
Arsenal also would need to beat low morale as the side take to the field after a 5-1 hiding at the hands of Bayern Munich in their Champions League tie earlier this week.
Although Sutton
The winner tonight will face Lincoln City in the next round.
