Arsenal vs. Chelsea: The Carling Cup Final Preview 24 February, 2007

Well tomorrow is the big day and a cup final in Cardiff always messes with your nerves the previous day. Gunnerblog has some good advice on what to do today to try and forget about tomorrow.

We’ve usually dropped out early in the league cup due to Wenger’s youth policy. However this year our bunch of youngsters have been so good we’ve managed to make it all the way to the final. Some may argue that we’ve included one or two big names along the way such as Toure etc but that’s literally one or two.

It all started up at West Brom in round three which was followed by an exiting tie against Everton. In the draw for the quarter final we got Liverpool; the match was abandoned due to heavy fog an hour before kick off but in the rescheduled match an inspired reserves side won 6-3. In the Semis we were drawn with Tottenham in a mouth watering, two-legged affair. We came from two down to draw 2-2 at the shithole and when they came to ours the game went to extra time but in the end we won 3-1. And now here we are at the final facing the favourites Chelsea.

The 29,000 ticket allocation sold out and it should be a fantastic atmosphere. A trip to Cardiff is always special, you don’t just remember the game, it’s all the events building up to it and the long pilgrimage to Wales you remember. This final is different to any other we’ve had there though. The FA Cup is undoubtedly the most important and the Community Shield is really just a pre-season friendly. Both of those cups are quite fiercely contested though.

For Arsenal anyway, the Carling Cup is a bit of a nothing tournament which we use to test our youngsters at a higher level. We never really expect to go anywhere but the likes of Diaby, Denilson, Almunia and Aliadiere have been excellent and earnt 1st team places along the way. If it wasn’t for this cup we would’ve have seen Denilson, what a wonderful player he is. I used to be so exited about Cesc’s future but now it’s all about this kid.

I’m not really sure what team will start tomorrow. Gallas wants to start but I’m sure I read somewhere that he’s part of a group of 1st teamers who definitely won’t play. I imagine it’ll be the same sort of line up we’ve seen in early rounds but with a very strong bench including Rosicky, Adebayor and Gilberto. Clichy and Hoyte are having fitness tests and if they are fit I expect they will play. I thought the tests were yesterday but I’ve heard nothing yet. Cesc might start in the centre; it’s weird to think he’s still officially one of our younger players isn’t it?

The only real question is who’ll play at left midfield, it could be Hleb or Rosicky but if Wenger is going to use his reserves it’s hard to predict who’ll be there. I was very impressed with Denilson when he played there at Anfield but both Diaby and Baptista have been put there before and looked lost. There’s also the option of going 4-5-1 with Baptista up front and Aliadiere on the wing but I prefer him as a striker. So if it was up to me this is what I’d do, I’ve kept in mind injuries and also thought about what Wenger would do:

Rosicky played against Spurs in the last round so it’s not as if his inclusion in the side would be a surprise. He’d do a great Job on the left wing for us; it’s just whether or not Wenger feels there is a youngster that can take his place. If it wasn’t the final we might’ve seen someone like Randall there but I think Hleb or Rosicky will be out on the left come tomorrow afternoon. There is also the option of playing Clichy or Traore there with one of them behind in defence, I also think that would work quite well.

Well we’ll find out tomorrow what the team will be and I’ll be interested to see what Arsene will go for. John Terry is now fit which is a bit shit but I have heard Lampard’s got the flu but I don’t expect him to miss the game becasue of it.

I’m leaving London at 7.30am tomorrow morning and hope to be in Cardiff for lunch. I’d prefer to be there earlier with a 3.00pm kick off but Cardiff is fucking ages away + there’s two sets of fans coming up the M4 to Wales. Whatever the result, I hope to just have a good day out. I’m going to Edinburgh early Monday morning for the week and there’ll be no updates on the site. So I’m going to try and do a quick match report how ever late I get back Sunday night. Make sure you follow the boys tomorrow but most importantly, just have a laugh. See you later.