Gordon Greer reduced Robert Lewandowksi to a goalless whinger.

And Albion's captain won't mind resorting to the darker arts to prevent Arsenal hitman Olivier Giroud wrecking their FA Cup dreams again.

Bayern Munich star Lewandowski accused Greer of a "brutal foul" in Scotland's 2-2 draw against Poland in Warsaw in October.

Greer is more of a ball-playing centre-half than a hard man, but the Glaswegian admits every team needs a tough edge - including Arsenal.

Giroud, two-goal wrecker of the Seagulls in the fourth round tie between the sides at the Amex two years ago, likes to moan and groan, but he can dish out the physical stuff as well.

The Frenchman was sent-off on Boxing Day for head-butting Queens Park Rangers defender Nedum Onuoha.

Greer is prepared for another uncompromising battle with the Arsenal centre-forward and for Albion to use the odd dirty trick or two to accompany the passing reputations of both sides.

He said: "All football teams need that. You can't go out and play football all the time. You need a bit of the darker stuff and we've got that and I'm sure Arsenal have as well.

"I think it will be a good game. Arsenal are obviously a fantastic footballing team and we've got a good reputation here as being a good passing team as well.

"He (Giroud) is a good player. You see that week in week out, but this is something we all look forward to. You don't play football so you can play against people when it's easy, you want to play against the best players.

"There are some great players in that team, so it's great for all of us to get that opportunity."