Mourinho will urge Boro to end Gunners’ reign

Tongue-in-Cheek Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka reckons Jose Mourinho might be sending him a message of “congratulations’’ after today’s FA Cup fifth-round tie at Arsenal.

Karanka was Mourinho’s assistant at Real Madrid and the Chelsea chief wishes him “good luck’’ before every Boro game.

And mentor Mourinho is sure to be even more encouraging this time as his old enemy Arsene Wenger attempts to steer holders Arsenal nearer a defence of their trophy.

Karanka said: “Before the game, it will be: ‘good luck’, and after the game: ‘congratulations’!’’

But Karanka, whose side beat Manchester City 2-0 at the Etihad in the last round, has huge respect for Gunners’ boss Wenger.

He warned: “We are making a big mistake if we think it’s going to be easy against Arsenal. I think we can beat them, but if they beat us 4-0 or 5-0, it’s not going to be a surprise because they are an amazing team.’’

As well as upsetting City, promotion-chasing Boro took Liverpool to a 30-kick penalty shoot-out before losing at Anfield in the Capital One Cup in September.

Karanka admitted: “It was amazing. We couldn’t beat Liverpool, but we took them to penalties. We won at Man City, so it has been no coincidence.

“The players showed in those games that they can play under pressure they showed their personality.’’

Playmaker Lee Tomlin has been key for Boro, and Karanka reckons he is their version of Arsenal’s Santi Cazorla.

The Boro boss said: “Tommo was on the bench at Blackpool on Tuesday. He played 10 minutes and changed the game. His reaction was brilliant.

“He was the Championship Player of the Month, but if he thinks he’s better than he is, he would be making a big mistake. He would be on the bench.

“He has a lot of talent and when he has the ball, anything can happen. He could be our Cazorla.’’

Jonathan Woodgate scored in his first League appearance this season in Boro’s 2-1 win over Blackpool.

Woodgate, 35, has suffered fitness problems, but the former Tottenham defender is ready to face his old North London rivals today.

Karanka joked: “He couldn’t move for two or three days after Tuesday! No, he’s good and he’s feeling very well.

“He was thinking of retiring two or three months ago, but he’s enjoying things now and I always say that he’s a very important player for us.

“He’s played a lot of games in these stadiums, so it’s good for me and everyone here to have Woody ready to play.’’

Meanwhile, Karanka has tipped Arsenal new boy Gabriel Paulista to banish the Gunners’ centre-back worries.

Karanka is well aware of the £11-million Brazilian, 24, having seen him in action at close quarters with Villarreal.

He said: “Gabriel is at Arsenal because he’s a good player. When you are a good player and you go to an environment like that with other good players, you can become a better player. So I think he is going to be a big success.’’