Defender says O’s will go with a positive attitude

DEFENDER Charlie Daniels insists Orient can pull off a cup shock at Arsenal tomorrow night – even though they will be without inspirational skipper Stephen Dawson.

The O’s head to The Emirates for an FA Cup fifth round replay and Daniels said: “Why can’t we go there and win?

“Huddersfield nearly did and so did Leeds. So why not us?

“We have already been to a couple of the top Championship sides and have played against Arsenal and have not been beaten, so we have got a chance.

“The important thing is that we stay in the game,” said the 24-year-old.

Orient’s task will be made much harder by the fact they will be missing Dawson, who was the star of the show in the first game against Arsenal that ended in a 1-1 draw.

The former Bury player was stretchered off at Huddersfield Town on Saturday after he landed awkwardly following an aerial challenge.

He was taken to hospital and although x-rays revealed there were no broken bones, he is currently awaiting the results of a scan to see the extent of any ligament damage.

“Of course we will miss him,” admitted Daniels.

“It was a bit of a freak accident. He went up for a header and came down and jolted his knee a bit.

“He will be a big miss and will be disappointed, but we wish him a speedy recovery.”

Daniels, who has been in excellent form this season, believes Orient can improve on their display in the first game at Brisbane Road.

“I think the most disappointing thing from our point of view was the way we played at home,” admitted Daniels.

“Funnily enough, we got a draw, but we can pass the ball a lot better than that, although we know it’s going to be difficult to get the ball off them first and foremost.”

Orient start as massive underdogs but it won’t dampen Daniels’ enthusiasm.

“We’re looking forward to it a lot,” he said. “It will be the biggest stadium I have played in and that goes for a lot of our players too.

“We’re on a good run at the moment and we will be going there with a positive attitude.”

Although the two sides have met before and will now have no secrets, Daniels acknowledged they know pretty much how Arsenal will play anyway.

“You can watch them on the television every week and you know that they will play those neat one-twos and keep the ball for large periods of the game,” he said. “It’s up to us to make the most of the ball when we get possession.”

If O’s can upset the applecart it would be a real feather in the cap for Daniels, who joined the O’s from Arsenal’s north London rivals Tottenham.

“I had a good seven or eight years at Spurs, probably more than that,” he said.

“You got taught that Arsenal are the team you have got to beat. Half my family are Spurs and half are Arsenal.”

With a foot in both camps, at least some of Daniels’ relatives will be happy tomorrow tonight whatever the result!