Five Finals, four triumphs and three other near misses - Arsène Wenger has enjoyed something of a love affair with the FA Cup since arriving in England a decade ago.
His latest dalliance with the famous old trophy begins on Saturday with a trip to Anfield and some have suggested that Wenger will flirt rather more openly with the FA Cup this season now Arsenal trail Manchester United by 15 points in the Premiership. The Frenchman denies it is his primary focus but he is determined as ever to lift the trophy.
"We still have the Premiership to focus on, we have the Champions League and don't forget that's not a small cup, but we want to win the FA Cup because traditionally we have always been there," said Wenger at his pre-match press conference.
"Domestically we have the Carling Cup as well but we have decided to go for every game we play until the end of the season with a desire to win it, whatever the competition."
Desire is one of many ingredients Arsenal will need to overcome a Liverpool side which, ironically, has been resurgent ever since they crumbled to a 3-0 defeat at Emirates Stadium in November.
Rafa Benitez's side have been imperious at Anfield, where their unbeaten run now stretches to 20 games in all competitions. Steven Gerrard has found his form after a post-World Cup dip and Liverpool's defence has rediscovered its stubborn streak.
"It would be a bit pretentious to say we will beat them 3-0 again," admitted Wenger, "but we are good at the moment and we do know we can beat them while they will try to take revenge.
"We start with a big draw and sometimes that isn't bad because it gets you to focus straight away. There is no time to warm up [in the competition], you have to be at your best straight away and that's what we want on Saturday.
"Because it is a Cup tie and it is at Liverpool I expect a very exciting game. We will try to play, they will try to play and certainly it will be a game to watch."
Wenger has occasionally used the FA Cup to rest some of his bigger names but, this year, he has the luxury of giving some household names much-needed match time as a raft of players return from injury.
Thierry Henry returned from a five-week absence in style on Tuesday night, scoring one goal and making two more in a 4-0 win against Charlton. Emmanuel Eboue and Julio Baptista are back in the squad for Saturday's trip north and the likes of William Gallas, Theo Walcott, Lauren and Abou Diaby are all close to comebacks of their own. In fact, only Emmanuel Adebayor (thigh) and Freddie Ljungberg (hamstring) are still carrying injuries.
"If you ask me about Saturday it will be a team very, very close to the one which played the last game against Charlton," confirmed Wenger. "We will have a strong side."
So is the Frenchman still in love with the FA Cup after all these years? "I am," he smiles. "And there is another attraction this year because it is the first time back at Wembley." Don't bet against Wenger going all the way once again.
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