Sunderland boss Lee Johnson, who took Bristol City to the semi-finals in 2018, speaks to Sky. “It should be fun. The boys have got to enjoy it. Sunderland have been in the Premier League but these boys haven’t, so they’ve got to enjoy the occasion. It’s a short career and a fantastic stadium, the surface is brilliant, and we have to bring our best because Arsenal are a fantastic team. I believe in my players. I think we’ll be a threat for anybody. I trust us in possession to be dangerous. It’s a great test and a bit learning process on the pitch.”

Mikel Arteta talks to Sky. He first reports that Ainsley Maitland-Niles is ill, while Calum Chambers has tested positive for Covid-19. “We are giving some players some minutes who absolutely deserve them. In the case of Folarin Balogun, he has not been around us too much but he deserves a chance with us tonight. He will have more opportunities. He should enjoy the moment. Complacency is a word that does not exist in football, so we have to be at our best.”

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