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Arsene Wenger wants character from Arsenal in FA Cup to start rebound from Bayern rout

Arsene Wenger
Image: Arsene Wenger says the shock of defeat in Munich will take time to wear off

Arsene Wenger hopes Arsenal can start to rebuild from their mauling at Bayern Munich in very different conditions on Monday night.

After going down 5-1 to the German giants on Wednesday in the Champions League, Wenger's men find their next assignment coming in the form of National League side Sutton United in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Wenger has spent much of the time since the Munich defeat dealing with questions about his future at the Emirates but he has had to stay focused on Monday's game, with the cup perhaps now providing his side with their best chance of silverware this season.

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Sutton goalkeeper Wayne Shaw shows us round their ground ahead of their FA Cup match with Arsenal this weekend

He is expected to field a strong team at Sutton's tiny Gander Green Lane ground, where Arsenal will come up against a hugely different opponent on a 3G artificial surface.

Wenger expects a response after the midweek demolition job, but when asked how easy it will be to forget, he said: "It will never be quick.

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Matt Le Tissier and Paul Merson joined Paul Doswell and his Sutton team in training as they prepared for their FA Cup fifth-round tie against Arsenal

"You keep that with you for your whole life but overall, on the other hand, in life if we dwell too much on the past we forget to prepare for the future.

"Part of a successful life is to basically deal with disappointments and focus 100 per cent on what is in front of you and show you can deal with that."

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Alexis Sanchez
Image: Alexis Sanchez and the Gunners suffered through 90 minutes of Bayern domination in their 5-1 defeat

Wenger also feels there is no point in singling out players for criticism and the best way to bounce back is to stick together as a team.

"When you have a heavy defeat like that it's difficult to come out on one individual," he added.

Arsenal's French midfielder Francis Coquelin (L) and Arsenal's French headcoach Arsene Wenger (R) speak together during the UEFA Champions League round of
Image: Wenger was unable to inspire Arsenal after they made it to half-time at 1-1 in Munich

"You look at the way we conceded goals and you can as well criticise some other players. But overall for every single player it's always to try to get up to the next level and he is like everybody else.

"I would say it's more about character and being united because it's important you do not get in a blame culture and focus completely on being united to respond well."

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