Diaby - Why the Old Trafford tie will not lack intensity

FA Cup
Manchester United v Arsenal


With the Champions League around the corner and a Premier League title to fight for, some might expect Saturday's FA Cup tie between Manchester United and Arsenal to lack its usual intensity.

Abou Diaby disagrees. The French midfielder expects both sides to give it everything at Old Trafford and believes that the winner of the Fifth Round tie could have a psychological advantage when the title rivals go head to head at the same venue in April.

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"I think we want to play well in every competition whether it's the FA Cup, the Champions League or the League," Diaby told Arsenal TV Online. "We want to win all of them because we are a big club and we want to win trophies. This Saturday is very important to us.

"Maybe a win will give us a psychological advantage. We just want to give our best and win the game."

Unfortunately, Diaby will not get a chance to make his mark in the FA Cup this weekend. The 21-year-old suffered a calf injury against Manchester City at the start of February.

"I took a kick around the ankle against Manchester City and my calf felt very stiff," explained Diaby. "I won’t make the match against Manchester United, but I hope to be back as soon as I can."

Subscribers can watch our exclusive interview with Abou on Thursday. In it he discusses: the FA Cup tie at Old Trafford, the mood in the Arsenal squad, the mental toughness they need to win the title, watching Manchester United's games, Emmanuel Adebayor's incredible form and the Togo striker's impact in the dressing room.