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He told the sentinel: "He was a boy with character and was fierce, proud and committed. He had quick feet, good pace, good technique, and he was a hard, hard boy - a typical English hard boy.
"It is what I have said many times - because they don't make it here, it is not that they are not good players"
Arsene also said he expected Stoke to be exactly the same as they are in the championship, a strong team that will play a very physical game.
He said: "I have no fear, but no doubt as well, that Stoke will be physical because that's what you expect in a cup game.
"They will be highly committed and if they weren't, I would be surprised. That's normal, that's part of the excitement of a cup game.
"They are a well organised team who are committed. They have Akinbiyi up front, they go the direct way. They have John Halls, a player I let go, and he is very good. They have Marcus Hall who played at Coventry, Michael Duberry has gone back to Leeds, but they have some good players.