SAM Allardyce is planning to upset Arsenal with honest graft in Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final at the Reebok.

The Wanderers boss admits it would be reckless to take on the Gunners at their own game.

Instead, he will ask his players to repeat the performance that earned them a victory two months ago that dealt a savage blow to Arsene Wenger's hopes of retaining the Premiership title.

"I really don't know whether we can do it in the cup,"Allardyce said, acknowledging that Wanderers are still the underdogs, despite that 1-0 win. "Beating Arsenal twice in one season is something our supporters would dream about and hold in their memories for many a year - like the back to back wins we had at Old Trafford when we first came into the Premiership and the league double we did over Manchester United in the old First Division in 1978-79.

"It's a great task for us but it's going to be a great game that will have everybody on the edge of their seats. There's an atmosphere at the Reebok that sends chills down the players' spines, has the hairs on the back of your neck standing on end and gets the adrenalin pumping.

"Games like these - against teams like Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United - bring the best out of my players, in fact, more than the best."

Jay Jay Okocha faces a fitness test on the hamstring injury he suffered in Monday night's Premiership win at Manchester City.

But Allardyce is resigned to being without his captain, although Nicky Hunt is available after recovering from the dislocated shoulder he suffered in the 2-1 defeat at Newcastle - Wanderers' only defeat in 12 league and cup games since the turn of the year.

Even without the inspirational Thierry Henry, Allardyce fears Arsenal's desire to live up to their proud FA Cup record - they are the second most successful club in the competition's history behind Manchester United - and their determination to bounce back after their midweek misery will make the tie doubly difficult.

"There will be some tired bodies and tired minds but they will push themselves through the pain barrier because they want to save what was going to be so good a season but which has turned against them,"he said.

"Arsenal are passionate about the FA Cup and it is, realistically, their only hope of winning a trophy this season. That will outweigh any mental and physical strain.

"To beat them is going to be a tall order. We know that, but the fact that we've done it before gives us more confidence to do it again."