Chris Hughton has trimmed his hair for Arsenal's visit.

Cutting Arsenal down to size will be a whole different ball game for Albion at the Amex.

Hughton knows from recent close-up experience just how lethal the Gunners can be as he tries to plot an FA Cup shock.

Jack Wilshere scored the Premier League goal of last season against his Norwich team in a 4-1 thrashing at the Emirates 15 months ago, finishing off a spellbinding series of one-twos.

Even though he was on the wrong end of it, Hughton was eventually able to appreciate its beauty.

He said: "That's certainly not what you think at the time but, when you see it again, you try to evaluate could you have done anything to stop it.

"There was probably one time in the move itself where we certainly could have done better, but the last parts we couldn't have done and sometimes you have to hold your hand up."

Hughton is certainly not holding both hands up in surrender before a ball is kicked.

He has, in the three wins out of four he has overseen so far in charge of the Seagulls, struck the right balance between resilience and adventure.

He has also set the right tone ahead of Arsenal's fourth round visit with a mixture of realism and hope.

Last Sunday, Arsene Wenger uncharacteristically set his side up to frustrate Manchester City and left the Etihad with an impressive 2-0 victory.

It will be a different Arsenal at the Amex, but Hughton is buoyed by Albion's own good form, only one defeat in seven matches.

He said: "They are a possession side, apart from last week's game. Generally they will have more possession than the opposition and, on law of averages, they will have more possession than us on Sunday.

"You also need a little bit of fortune, you need a defence to play very well, a goalkeeper to be demanding. These are all the elements that see a team that are not fancied do quite well.

"It's definitely better going into this type of fixture on the back of good form - and a good feel.

"I won't need to motivate the players, that's for sure, but you still have to be able to go in with a game plan which gives you a chance of winning or getting something.

"We all know the magnitude of the job. They are an extremely good side, with quality players, and irrespective of the team they play it's going to be a big task, but it's our responsibility to try and do the best we can, nullify where they can really hurt us and give ourselves a chance."

Albion may not have been in good form at the Amex this season, but the overall record in three-and-a-half seasons at their new home encourages the belief they can make a game of it.

Even with the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool visiting previously, they have never suffered worse than a 3-1 defeat.

For Hughton, optimism off the back of Wednesday's 3-2 win against Ipswich dwarfs the fear of a heavy beating derailing the main aim of climbing the Championship table.

Hughton admitted: "That's part of every manager's thoughts on any game of this magnitude, but by far my bigger thoughts are about positivity.

"Everything about how we have been this week, setting us up for Sunday's game, is positive. I don't want to have any negative thoughts. If we play well enough that gives us a chance, if we don't then we can be beaten by anybody, not just Arsenal."