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It has been a long wait for the Arsenal fans and the players to lay their hands on a piece of silverware. The Carling Cup which was once branded as unimportant by Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger is now the trophy that his team crave for the most to end their trophy duck. It has been six long years since Arsenal have won any trophy (fans of other clubs have reminded them every day of last six years) but let’s not forget Birmingham City equally crave the cup and it has been 48 years since the last trophy for the Blues. On Sunday’s final, we will thus see two sides seeking the first piece of silverware up for grabs in the season with great fervour.
ARSENAL
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The media build-up to the match suggests that there will be only one winner: Arsenal. But in the words of commentator Clive Tyldesley, “Games are not won on the paper, they are won on the green thing out there with goal posts” and Wenger, of all people, will not be taking anything lightly. Despite the absence to inspirational captain Cesc Fabregas and superfast Theo Wallcott due to injuries Arsenal team has enough firepower in the likes of Nasri, Van Persie and Arshavin to win the game, along with Jack Wilshere‘s ability to dictate the game calmly.
The midfield duo who can win the game for Arsenal
A cup triumph over Birmingham could kick-start a trophy laden winning habit for the Gunners. With four wins from six matches which includes 2-1 win over Barcelona in the Champions League and a physically daunting 1-0 win over Stoke City, Arsenal go in to the big Wembley final with odds in their favour. Their creativity and passing has been their greatest strength and it will be very tough for the Birmingham City to play against their midfield, a fact accentuated by Sebastian Larsson’s statement that it will be mighty tough to play Arsenal. With all eyes on them to end the trophy duck, Wenger will be looking to field best possible side and get the job done.
Possible starting line up: Szczesny, Djourou, Koscielny, Sagna, Clichy, Denilson, Wilshere, Nasri, Rosicky, Van Persie, Arshavin
BIRMINGHAM CITY
Alex McLeish’s Birmingham City can be just considered pushovers for Arsenal since the Gunners have done the double over the Blues this season in the Premier League after all. But the thing with Alex McLeish is that he is special at doing one thing: beating the odds, a face that was displayed specifically last season after Birmingham went on an incredible run to finish 9th in the league. This time around, things have been tough but the strong character that McLeish is, he can be never counted out.
Alex McLeish will look to get his tactics right to thwart Arsenal
Birmingham’s hope of winning the trophy lies with 6’8” striker Nikola Zigic who has scored 7 goals since arrival in May and goal-keeper Ben Foster. The towering figure of Zigic will present a very physical test that the Koscielny and Djorou will find hard to contend with. Also, the quartet of Ridgewell, Jiranek, Johnson, Carr will have to play their best football if they want to stop Van Persie and co from tearing them apart. Robin van Persie is now a rejuvenated man and it will be a daunting task for Birmingham defenders to stop him from scoring. Recent form of Birmingham is also pretty good, they have just lost once out of seven games. Being the quintessential cup team this season, their progress to the finals included a dramatic win over West Ham and McLeish’s side be looking to draw inspiration from that.
Former Gunner, Alexander Hleb is doubtful for the match and will have a late fitness test but his experience with Wenger’s team may prove to be important for McLeish to devise his strategy. With David Bentley and Curtis Davies cup-tied Birmingham will play a lone striker up front, pack it in the midfield and cut off Arsenal’s oxygen supply that is their midfield. This being a game that will be won or lost in the midfield, Birmingham’s strategy will be to thwart Arsenal’s source of creativity in the middle and hit them on the counter.
Possible line up: Foster, Ridgewell, Jiranek, Johnson, Carr, Ferguson, Larrson, Gardner, Bowyer, Beausejour, Zigic.
Betting odds:
Arsenal: ½
Birmingham: 6/1
My verdict: Arsenal to win 2-0
