Arsenal v Sheffield United
The FA Cup, Fifth Round
19 February 2005, 12.30pm
Highbury



Former Arsenal striker Paul Shaw is hoping his old boss Arsene Wenger resists the temptation to field an under-strength line-up when he returns to Highbury with Sheffield United on Saturday.

Most observers would think that United’s best chance of causing an upset relied on Gunners chief Wenger resting several of his key players. But Shaw argues that facing Wenger’s first-choice XI could give the Blades an added incentive.

He said: "I think it would be great if they put out their best side. As a player, you always want to test yourself against the best players. And if their top players do play, I think that’ll give us an extra buzz."

Wenger decision to use an all-foreign squad against Crystal Palace earlier this week was slammed by some pundits, but Shaw believes the criticism was unwarranted. "They are top quality foreign players and I think they do improve English football," he commented.

Shaw joined Arsenal on schoolboys forms at the age of 14 and spent the next ten years at the club. Although he was limited to 13 appearances for the Gunners - including just two starts - Shaw is grateful for the experience.

"I didn’t have many opportunities, but it’s a great place to play your football and learn your trade," he said. "That was the main thing for me because I was a young player there. I had a good few years training with the first-team and you learn an awful lot from that.

"I had a year with Arsene Wenger and the training he introduced was outstanding. He had such a positive effect on all the players, even the senior players who’d been around for years. It was good to be around for the first year he was there."

After being dubbed ‘the poor man’s Dennis Bergkamp’ by Blades manager Neil Warnock earlier this season, Shaw also credits the Dutchman with having a great influence on his career.

"He’s the same day in, day out - the way he does things on the training field and the way he looks after himself. I’m a million miles away from him in terms of quality, but working with him definitely had a very positive effect on my game."

After winning a recall for last Sunday’s Cup replay against West Ham - which the Blades won in a penalty shoot-out - Shaw is keeping his fingers crossed that he retains his place in the starting line-up.

"I went there with Gillingham a couple of years ago in The FA Cup," said the 31-year-old. "It’ll be even nicer to go back this time, especially as it’s their last year at Highbury.

"We know it’s going to be extremely tough for us, but we’re going to enjoy the day and you never know what sort of result you’re going to get."