What does the Carling Cup mean to Arsenal?

The 1987 League Cup win over Liverpool marked the beginning of Arsenal's 3rd major spell of success

As Arsenal face Birmingham City on the weekend for this season’s first domestic final, its worth having a look at what it means to Professor Wenger and his pupils. This old and once prestigious domestic cup has long been a training school for potential Arsenal stars. But this could be the year that the class finally graduates, with honors.

So what does a Carling Cup mean to Arsenal? For once thing, it will end the trophy drought. No longer can the media use the phrase “6 trophyless seasons”. At most, they could use “Six seasons without a major trophy”. But there is something far more important to be gained at Wembley on Sunday. If the Gunners beat Birmingham in the final, it will be the first taste of success for many of these young Arsenal talents. The likes of Walcott, Nasri, Wilshere, Song, Bendtner and so on will get their first ever taste of silverware. Established stars like Fabregas, Van persie and Arshavin will, after a long time, know what its like to lift a trophy (however small it may be).

This could potentially open the floodgates for a trophy-rich spell at the Emirates. Those who doubt this, should look at historical precedent. The best example is Arsenal themselves. After the success of the early 70′s, Arsenal had won nothing until 1987. In that years League Cup final, George Graham’s side beat Liverpool (aka the Manchester United of the 1980s). This started a chain reaction of domestic league and cup triumphs under the Graham era.

The importance of that first trophy also highlights the difference between Chelsea and Manchester City. Mourinho needed that Carling Cup in 2006 to convert Roman’s cash to trophies. That first trophy is exactly what Man City lack now and that prevents them from mounting a serious title challenge. For Arsene Wenger and Arsenal, this could be just the beginning of their long awaited Golden Era.