"The difference with playing teams of Arsenal's quality is that if we give them an opportunity they'll more than likely take it," Jones said ahead of tonight's game.
"Of course in cup competitions though, everyone has a chance.
"We have to hope Arsenal are not playing at their best or that they make some individual mistakes, but we've got to play our own game and play to our best abilities."
Jones insists all the pressure is on the Gunners, but says that is a familiar feeling for Arsene Wenger's side.
"On Monday he (Wenger) is at home and has the bigger stars, bigger team and bigger football club," he continued.
"This means they'll be under pressure but Arsenal are under that pressure week in, week out so it'll be no different for them."
Jones is not concerned that his players have not played a competitive match since January 31, with the cold weather forcing games against Arsenal and Charlton to be re-scheduled.
"The lads are fine," added Jones, whose side would face Burnley should they beat the Gunners. "They were just disappointed the games were postponed.
"There shouldn't be any rustiness because they've kept busy. Some have been away on international duty and the others played in the friendly with Swindon the other day."
Meanwhile the Arsenal boss would love the chance to play at Wembley. Cardiff have played their twice since Arsenal last did and the Gunners boss thisnks Cardiff have had their luck already in this competition by getting Wembley the easy was last year.
"They had a run (last season), and it was a fantastic run," said Wenger.
"It is still magic because anybody would love to play at Wembley.
"But the final part of that run was when all the big teams were already out.
"We have been to Wembley in the FA Cup in 1998, but not since," he continued. (Although Arsenal have won the cup in recent tmes when it was played at the Millennium Stadium).
"At the moment we are too far away to say that we will get there this year, but we will give everything to get there.
"The players are motivated for the Cardiff game and want to win."
Arsenal's first target this season is to finish in the top 4. Then win the Premier League and Champions League with the FA Cup coming next. It's this slight ambivilance towards the competition that might give City a chance to grab a shock victory.
"I still believe that the first trophy you want is qualifying for the Champions League," he said.
"Then win the Premier League and win the Champions League, then other trophies you go after.
"We were very close in 2006 and we have been in the Champions League every year.
"That is what you want to achieve first again but, of course, we want to win trophies."
It's expected for Arsenal to win. Therefore Cardiff go into the game with nothing to lose. All the pressure is on Arsenal. The Emirates and the rest of football expects nothing less than a home win. Wenger has never lost an FA Cup tie at home since he took over.
Who knows, today might just be our day and wouldn't it be nice if we play again at Wembley before Arsenal do.