Good morning Gooners!! It’s here, it’s finally here. I don’t know if it’s just me, but it feels like we’ve been waiting a long time for this game. If I’m not mistaken, the League Cup Final has historically been played in the last weekend of February for the most part, so maybe that’s it. It’s also been over 6 weeks since we booked our place in the final, so we really have been waiting ages for this game. Now it’s here, I’m really not sure how I feel about the whole thing. Nauseous? Think that is definitely something I’m feeling whenever my mind drifts off to the game!!
Listen, it’s a Cup Final, so it’s obviously a huge game. Huge, huge game. The chance to win a piece of silverware ahead of the run in for the rest of the season is a massive opportunity, regardless of who we’re playing and what perceived mental age that would give us over Manchester City. I might end up writing about it daily during the international break if we actually get this done, it would be so exciting and a massive watershed moment for this team, so I’m really excited. Still think nervousness is the overwhelming feeling though. This Manchester City team is capable of dismantling any team on its day and despite a few mixed results of late, they’ve actually looked quite good going forward, so there’s plenty for us to be concerned about heading into this one.
I’m very fortunate to be heading off to Wembley very soon so I’ll hopefully have some new pictures for the blog (if the game goes in Arsenal’s favour!!) and the last time I was at Wembley was for that Community Shield penalty shoot-out win against Manchester City so fingers crossed, I can be a good omen this time around as well. Let’s see how this one goes…
Areas of encouragement
I think the last two games have probably been our best two games in succession of the season, in terms of performance, so that form couldn’t have come at a better time. The Everton and Leverkusen games were very different in terms of how we got it over the line, but the overall attacking play was massively improved from even earlier this month, so hopefully that continues at Wembley this afternoon. If it does, I really think we can cause Manchester City plenty of problems.
Areas of concern
I could just starting naming players here. There’s so many of their individuals that concern me. Match winners, players capable of producing something out of nothing. With those sort of players up against you, there is no degree of comfort in any of the game for me. I’m also worried about the Manchester City backlash from a couple of difficult results from them. I’m feeling nervous just typing this blog, so I could list so many concerns right now!!
What I’d love to see
Again, so many things I can put here. The early goal is always going to be up there and even more so in a Cup Final, but in the spirit of putting something different, I’m going to say I’d love to see a Gabriel/William Saliba masterclass. They’re generally performance levels are so high anyway, but every now and then, they give you something really special. If they can both deliver those sort of performances this afternoon, we could be in business!
What I’d hate to see
One of the things I’ve really loved about this Arsenal team this season (aside from the results!) is their ability to play the game and not the occasion. They don’t seem ruffled by derby matches or top of the table clashes or big Champions League nights. They just seem to play each game the same every time which is so professional and the mark of a truly top team in my opinion. They need to take that one step further now and do the same in a Cup Final and just play the game in front of them and not worry about the stakes etc. I’d really hate to see Arsenal drawn into the narrative and spectacle, which is hopefully something that won’t happen.
Lineup and Team News
When Cup Final day rolls around, there is always going to be players that aren’t happy and I think Mikel Arteta will be making quite a few unhappy this afternoon!
Let’s start right at the back – in goal. For me, I’d go David Raya all day long. I’d feel bad for Kepa, but I’d still go Raya. Self-explanatory for me. He’s our best keeper, arguably one of the very best in the world, it’s Cup Final day, he plays. That’s what I’d do. I think Arteta will do the opposite and keep faith in Kepa. I really hope this one doesn’t come back to bite us!
At right back, Jurrien Timber has been called up for the Netherlands so that’s a massive sign that he is fit for this one and if he’s fit, there’s no debate about it, he starts. Jeremy Doku is a real threat for City, so we need the best version of Jurrien Timber so shackle him. Let’s hope that week long rest has left Timber in optimum shape to do just that.
The centre halves pick themselves, with Gabriel and William Saliba two of the first names on the team sheet, so it’s over to left back for the next quandary. Piero Hincapie or Riccardo Calafiori. Defensive stability or attacking option and potential difference maker. That’s how I see the choice. With Jurrien Timber at right back, you could see why Arteta would want someone more natural in attack on the opposite side and therefore plump for Calafiori. I just don’t see him doing it, I really don’t. Piero Hincapie’s defensive instincts will see him edge out the Italian, for the first 60 mins at least. Hincapie’s attacking has improved of late, so it’s not like he offers nothing going the other way either. Let’s face it, they’re both great options, so I can see reasons to be happy with whoever starts.
Into midfield and another dynamic duo who are almost certain to start are Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice. This feels like a huge game for both of them to really go and cement their places in the biggest games, so hopefully we say them both give us their very best and help us get over the line. Ahead of Rice and Zubimendi, Eberechi Eze has played himself into the team of late so I can’t see Kai Havertz stepping back into midfield to take his spot for this one and Martin Odegaard is going to be in no fit state to start a game of this magnitude, given the football he has missed. The last time Eze played against City at Wembley, it went very well for him, so let’s hope for something similar this afternoon!
Bukayo Saka hasn’t been in great form of late, especially from an output perspective, but it would a really big drop in form to see him miss a game like this, so he’ll definitely take up his place on the right hand side. On the left – three options – Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard and Noni Madueke. None of them have really set the world alight of late. (In Madueke’s case he has been good, but almost exclusively from the other side of the pitch). The wide open space of Wembley would make you lean towards Martinelli’s pace on the transition however, Leandro Trossard is much more likely to get a shot away or produce a moment of magic and for that reason, I think the Belgian will get the nod ahead of Martinelli.
Final decision (for the starting lineup at least!!) – who starts up front? With respect to Gabriel Jesus, this is a straight 50/50 decision between Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres. I’ve been impressed with Gyokeres lately. Aside from his goals, his all round play is much improved and he seems so hungry right now so I think it would be harsh to leave him out of the lineup for the Final. That said, Arteta loves Havertz and the big German makes everyone around him so much better and gives us an out ball when playing out from the back isn’t an option. That’s massive as it helps to alleviate pressure and in a Cup Final, that could be huge so with that in mind, I think Arteta sticks with his man and plays Kai Havertz up top.
Attention then turns to the bench, as if rumours are to be believed, Martin Odegaard should be fit enough for the bench, leaving Mikel Merino as our only absentee, which therefore means a few players are going to be left out of the squad entirely, many of which probably played key role in getting us this far, so there’s plenty of unfairness going round today, which is a shame. A lot depends on how fit Martin Odegaard is. If he’s not really in any sort of state to contribute, he shouldn’t be on the bench. Our subs have had an absolutely enormous impact on games for us this season and we need as many viable options from the bench as possible. Myles Lewis-Skelly will almost certainly miss out, as we have a back-up left back already on the bench. Likewise, Christian Norgaard will miss out again, even if we don’t really have any options like him on the bench. This is just what Arteta has done for the most part this season, when the squad has been full, so I see him doing this again. For me, I think we have too many defenders on the bench. Ruthless as it sounds, I’d leave Ben White off as Cristhian Mosquera can come on and cover centre back and right back, which would open up another space for an attacker. Again, I don’t think Arteta will do this and they’ll both take their places on the bench. If Martin Odegaard is fit, he takes his place on the bench which leaves the final slot between Gabriel Jesus and Max Dowman. This would be a hammer blow to Jesus, but based on previous substitute appearances and who Arteta has turned to in recent games, Dowman will get the nod.
Predicted lineup:
Kepa
Timber
Saliba
Gabriel
Hincapie
Zubimendi
Rice
Eze
Saka
Havertz
Trossard
Substitutes:
Raya
White
Calafiori
Mosquera
Odegaard
Martinelli
Madueke
Dowman
Gyokeres
PREDICTION
I generally don’t like predicting Arsenal matches so when I get to this stage of my blog, I always regret adding this section to the preview posts and this is going to be especially difficult for a Cup Final. I have to back the boys though so I’m going to say a nail-biting 1-0 win will get us over the line and bring us home some silverware. COME ON YOU GUNNERS!!!!