Ferguson sets sights on Arsenal

Sir Alex Ferguson is relishing the prospect of renewing hostilities with Arsenal ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final clash between the sides.

Both teams enter the match on the back of some poor form, with United losing three of their past five English Premier League matches and Arsenal suffering the heartbreak of a Carling Cup final loss to Birmingham and a Champions League exit at the hands of Barcelona.

Yet the United boss said his men would put recent struggles behind them as they continue their quest for three trophies as the season nears its business end.

“You have to look forward. We have big opportunities at the club and there are a lot of challenges ahead for the rest of the season,” Ferguson said.

“It is terrific to be involved in the middle of March. Every game you play is of importance.”

“That is why you get to March and hope you are going to be involved in all these things. We are.”

Already missing Rio Ferdinand, Park Ji-sung and Portuguese winger Nani through injury, Ferguson insists he will field the strongest field he can in the tie, regardless of the looming Champions League round of 16 second-leg clash with Marseille on Tuesday.

“I think the importance of a quarter-final tie against Arsenal is always an exciting game, an opportunity to get to the semi-finals, so I’ll do my best to play our best team available,” he said.

“For Manchester and Arsenal games, since I’ve come down here, they’ve always been competitive, they’ve always meant something.”

“Arsenal have always been there as one of our main challengers since I have come down here so that in itself takes away all that, all thoughts of what’s going to happen on Tuesday night, it’s well away from my thoughts at this moment in time.”