Arsenal face Birmingham in the Carling Cup Final tomorrow and I am just counting down the hours to arguably the most important match for the new generation Gunners. The last generation of the Gunners were undoubtedly very successful with the “Invincible” season to crown their glory days. Now we stand on the threshold of a new era where the Gunners dominate the trophies. It all rests on the result of this match against Birmingham in our first new Wembley final.

Normally I would be very confident about a victory for the Gunners against Birmingham. We have not lost to the Blues in the last six games, winning three and drawing the rest. We have done the double over Alex McLeish’s side, with the last match going to 3-0 victory for us at the Emirates.

However, this is a Cup Final and many of the players out there have never been to one. I believe other than Cesc, Clichy, Van Persie and Arshavin none of the Arsenal players have even participated in such an environment. That is why I am a little worried for the boys and how they will hold up this Sunday.

The injuries to Cesc and Walcott certainly did not help our cause. Of course we have Nasri to take over from Cesc but we do have a hole to fill on the right side of midfield. He may be frustrating at times but Walcott does give us penetration and wide to the attack. I am pretty sure Bendtner will take his place on the right so let’s see if the Dane can make good his promise of giving his best to the Arsenal cause.

I don’t even want to think about the consequences should we fail to win this match. It is going to be such a big blow that I don’t think we can recover from it. All I am doing now is think positive and hope it carries over to the boys on the field come Sunday afternoon.

Submitted by The Arsenal Kid

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