Middlesbrough will be hoping lightning strikes twice when they travel to FA Cup holders Arsenal for tomorrow's fifth round tie, live on BT Sport.
The Championship leaders stunned Manchester City with a 2-0 victory at the Etihad in the last round and could prove to be a banana skin for Arsene Wenger's side.
The competition has already witnessed a host of big names crashing out and if Arsenal are to avoid joining the likes of City, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton on the sidelines they will need to be on their mettle against a Boro side unbeaten in 10 matches and seeking a sixth win on the spin.
The Gunners have been a model of inconsistency of late — thrashing Aston Villa 5-0 before crashing to north London rivals Tottenham and holding on for a narrow win against Leicester in midweek.
Realistically, the FA Cup represents Arsenal’s best chance of a trophy this season and Wenger is likely to field a strong side tomorrow, with the Frenchman hopeful star man Alexis Sanchez will be fit after being taken off as a precaution in the defeat of Leicester.
Middlesbrough will head to the capital brimming with confidence, after soaring to the top of the Championship thanks to Kike’s late winner at Blackpool on Tuesday night.
After six seasons out of the top-flight, the Teesiders are looking good for a return to the Premier League under the tutelage of Jose Mourinho’s former Real Madrid assistant Aitor Karanka.
The last time these two sides met was five years ago, when Cesc Fabregas got both goals in a 2-0 win for Arsenal. Middlesbrough last tasted victory against the Gunners in December 2007 — Tuncay getting the winner in a 2-1 victory for Gareth Southgate’s side.
