The former Arsenal defender is relishing the Gunners' Semi-Final clash with Blackburn, and is excited by the prospect of an even more thrilling Final.

Arsenal will face Blackburn while Manchester United will take on Newcastle United in a weekend double header in Cardiff.

Winterburn admits his old club are in for a difficult task when they face Mark Hughes' side at the Millennium Stadium next month but is hopeful Arsene Wenger's side can make it through to The Final.

He believes it would be a huge clash if they were to meet Manchester United in the last stage - but insists both ties are going to be extremely close encounters.

Winterburn said: "I don't go along with a lot of people who say there's no history left in The FA Cup, there's plenty more to come," Winterburn told Sky Sports News.

"It upsets me when people question the tradition of The FA Cup by saying it hasn't got the same glamour anymore. You ask any player, especially the English players, and it means the world to them.

"Blackburn are still scrapping for their lives,and are going to make it very very difficult for Arsenal because I would think Mark Hughes will send out his team to pressurise them at every occasion.

"But you've got to stick with the two big guns, because also they've got the experience to deal with the occasion.

"Arsenal and Manchester United would not have wanted to play each other in the Semi-Final but we can't just take for granted that it's going to be an Arsenal-Man Utd Final, because we've got two other teams there who are on good form.

"Everybody's got their own ideas on who they want to see in the final, but I still think it's too close to call at this stage."