Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has admitted sacrificing his side’s FA Cup chances in previous seasons to boost their prospects of European glory.
On Monday, the Gunners face Manchester United, where they lost 4-0 in 2008 before a European tie with AC Milan.
“The FA Cup was badly positioned before the Champions League – you always had decisions to make,” said Wenger.
“A player who was a bit on the edge – what do you sacrifice? It was always the FA Cup in the end.”
Wenger added that “Sometimes as well I did not sacrifice the FA Cup years before and we paid the price because we lost one or two important players two or three days before an important game.”
In 2008, Wenger made four changes to his side between Arsenal’s fifth-round FA Cup defeat at United and a 0-0 draw against Milan, which helped them reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
The Gunners are struggling to reach the last eight this time around after losing 3-1 to Monaco in the first leg of their last-16 tie at Emirates Stadium.
They do not play the second leg until 17 March, which may influence Wenger’s team selection as they seek a first win at Old Trafford since September 2006.
Wenger believes the outcome of the FA Cup tie could also have a bearing on the race for a top-four finish in the Premier League, with Arsenal one point and one place above Louis van Gaal’s United, who are fourth, after winning seven of their last eight league games.
“Monday night is a big game, and every big win in a big game has an impact subconsciously in the belief of the team.
“Winning the FA Cup last season gave us energy because we had a few years without winning a trophy and on that front it was vital.
“This team has a good mentality because we had a slow start this season and every time when we lose a big game, you see how much the players are touched.
“I think the mentality is very healthy. They want to do well and we will be focused on Monday night,” Wenger said.
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