Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill admits the manner of their FA Cup replay win over Middlesbrough wasn't the best preparation for their clash with Arsenal this weekend.

O'Neill's men booked their place in the last 16 with a hard-fought 2-1 replay victory over Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium, but needed extra-time to see off the battling npower Championship side.

Just how much that will have taken out of his players ahead of their first meeting with Arsene Wenger's men, who put seven goals past Blackburn at the weekend, remains to be seen, but the Ulsterman is refusing to look any further ahead.

He said: "Arsenal will be pretty pleased that we have gone into extra-time. We will try to get ourselves ready for that game.

"The cup game will take care of itself the week after."