SUNDERLAND boss Mick McCarthy has effectively written off his side's chances of winning the FA Cup - because he can't see anyone beating Arsenal.

McCarthy is convinced that the Gunners, who have a quarter-final date with Portsmouth at Fratton Park this evening, are on course for their fourth League and Cup double.

Should Arsenal see off Pompey, the Black Cats could face them in a repeat of their 1973 semi-final if they beat Division One promotion rivals Sheffield United at the Stadium of Light tomorrow afternoon.

In such a scenario, McCarthy has little doubt what the outcome would be, much as he would love to lead Sunderland to Cup glory in the most fitting memorial to Bob Stokoe, who died last month.

There is a parallel, with Stokoe's '73 side beating fellow Division Two outfit Luton at Roker Park in the quarter-finals before memorable triumphs over Arsenal and, ultimately, Leeds.

With First Division Millwall - the only other club McCarthy has managed - and Second Division Tranmere meeting at the New Den tomorrow, hopes of a run to Cardiff's Millennium Stadium have risen on Wearside.

But McCarthy insists his players are under more pressure against Neil Warnock's Blades than they would be if they were tackling Arsenal or Manchester United, who host Fulham today.

McCarthy stressed: "The pressure is on because we're both First Division clubs and both teams will think they can win.

"There's a fear of losing; if we lose to Sheffield United everyone will say we missed a great opportunity.

"We have a slight advantage being at home, and there's also the incentive of maybe drawing another Nationwide League side in the semi-final.

"But I don't doubt all the clubs are thinking the same. If we were playing Arsenal or Man. United away, it might take the pressure off because nobody would give us a chance.

"My money would be on Arsenal for the Cup - absolutely. They are by far the best team at the moment, I don't think there's any doubt about that. They look like they are going to win every time - they're awesome.

"It's not a foregone conclusion that Arsenal or Man. United are going to win the Cup, but they have to be favourites. If you gave me a grand to put on it, I know where it would be going - and it wouldn't be going on Sunderland, Sheffield United Millwall or Tranmere. But we have a chance because we're still in it.''

Sunderland beat Premiership side Birmingham 2-0 after extra-time at St. Andrews in a fifth-round replay after drawing 1-1 on Wearside, where the FA Cup itself was the centre-piece of a tribute to Stokoe.

But McCarthy is reluctant to see any omens. "A lot was made of the Birmingham tie because of the sad loss of Bob Stokoe and '73 is the last time we won anything,'' he said.

"But sentiment doesn't run to anyone else; Hartlepool didn't come here thinking that Sunderland had a great affinity with the FA Cup and Birmingham didn't either.

"It's just about winning the game, and if we win this one, '73 will be tagged on to it. We'll be a step closer, but that's all.''

McCarthy admits that promotion is the be-all and end-all this season. "We want to get through to the semi-finals - it would be a great achievement - but promotion is more important, of course it is,'' he said. "Getting back into the Premiership is vitally important, but we haven't achieved anything yet.''

Blades boss Warnock took his players walking in the Peak District this week as part of their preparation while Sunderland, in the West Midlands for an extra night after their game at Walsall was postponed on Tuesday for 24 hours, went to the cinema.

Half the squad watched The Last Samurai, while the rest saw Along Came Polly. McCarthy explained: "The lads went to the pictures because we had to stay down an extra day.

"But I went to see Sheffield United play Millwall!''

Warnock spoke of the prospect of his side facing Birmingham in the quarter-finals before Sunderland's replay victory, and McCarthy quipped: "He wasn't the only one. Everyone on Sky Sports, all the pundits tipped Birmingham. The assumption was that, having drawn here, they would win the replay. It shows it's wrong to assume. It doesn't bother me at all what Warny said.

"We're two First Division sides, equally matched and placed. You can say winning breeds winning, but if that's the case why did Sheffield United, who reached two Cup semi-finals last season and won so many games, end up losing in the play-off final?''

Sunderland are expecting a crowd of around 35,000, and McCarthy said: "It's nice when you see a big crowd in the stadium - that's what it's all about here.

"It's great to see that kind of support. They're brilliant and our away support is fantastic as well.''

Gary Breen (knee) and Stephen Wright (calf) will train today and are expected to be available after missing Wednesday's 3-1 win at Walsall. Fellow defender Joachim Bjorklund is suspended