The Carling Cup Final......Finally...

The Carling Cup final… finally.

So here we are, a Cup final and Arsenal are in it. I remember how upset I was in 2006 and 2007 when we went to the Champions League final and the Carling Cup final and that has spurred me on and I always knew another final would come. Memories of Overmars and Anelka and Freddie and Parlour go through my mind; Pires’s winner in 2003 and Vieira’s penalty in 2005 were classic moments. Being only 23 (I actually wrote 22 and when doing my final check remembered!), my first Wembley/Cup final memory (that I actually saw at the time and not on Video or DVD years later) was the FA Cup final in 1998. Marc Overmars and Nicko Anelka got the goals and that’s when I saw how much winning a Wembley final means.

Cardiff was a special place because of Arsenal’s success but Wembley has the memories for most.

Wembleyyyyy Wembleyyyyyyy……we’re the famous Arsenal and we’re going to Wembleyyyyyy!

The Boss says we have the belief and the ability to win things this season and there is no better chance to prove that on Sunday.

‘Do it for Eduardo’ is something that’s being said on the terraces, and of course, if we win, he will be happy. But doing it for ourselves is most important and if we do it for ourselves, Eduardo can be a part of that because of what happened to him.

Over the last few weeks, we have seen a really passionate Cesc Fabregas - one who looks more committed then ever. We have seen Robin Van Persie return and score for fun, we have seen Arshavin come back to form and have seen the return of Nasri. We have seen Song develop, and what about young Jack Wilshere? What can I say about the lad that hasn’t been said already?! He played against two of the best players in their position of their generation in Xavi and Iniesta, and did not look out of place. Defensively we have improved a lot too.

Our squad seems to have come of age and we are ‘fighting on four fronts’ (a line I have used many times this season…because I love it!). A win on Sunday would really set us up nicely. We may not have Theo or Cesc BUT we have a squad. Arshavin is more then capable and so is Diaby, Rosicky etc. Rosicky has played some good football when he’s playing in the first team, and even when the second string side sometimes looks a bit unbalanced, he has still looked more than capable.

I am loving the fact we’re making the latter stages in all competitions because it shows we are a big club who are going for everything.

The Carling Cup has always been important; it has been used in different ways though. I had a few people say to me the other week ‘oh the Carling Cup is important now is it?’, suggesting that it’s only important because we are in the final. I do not disagree that we want it more this season but it HAS been important every year. The Carling Cup has given some players some valuable experience and has helped them grow as players. Fabregas, Clichy, Song etc all started in the Carling Cup. Even Thierry Henry got some valuable game time and developed in the Carling Cup (remember his goal against ‘Boro?)

So yes, it may have been used differently in the past, but it was important. Without the Carling Cup, you can never be sure if some of these players would have broken through or not. Some played well in the Carling Cup and were given their chance in the league.

I cannot wait for Sunday and every supporter I have spoken to feels the same! Win this and suddenly it will feel like we can win the League and some may go as far as saying we will beat Barcelona!

Barcelona however, can wait - this is a Wembley final and we want it bad!

Come on boys... Let’s win the first trophy available on Sunday and enjoy our day!

COME ON YOU ARSENAL!!!!!!!!!!!

Not Quite The Perfect Weekend

Not quite the perfect weekend but with all the recent highs, maybe a low was expected.

I did have my theory about first legs or ties where there is a replay and it may have stuck again! Winning against Stoke will put us back on track then we have our day at Wembley to look forward too.

Still fighting on all four fronts (my favorite saying!) and this time next week, may have the first silverware of the season.

Come on you Arsenal! Enjoy the week!

First Leg Is Over And We Have A Lead

Ideally I would have loved a two goal lead but we were playing Barcelona, the best team I have certainly seen so just to have any lead is so positive.

As I said yesterday (when I was slightly over excited) that all I wanted was to be in the tie; lets be honest, Barcelona are quite special. The way they pass that ball around is special, there were spells in the game where we just couldn’t get it back and when we did, they pressed us so hard that we lost it again.

Then again, that spell near the end was equally special. I thought Mr Wenger made the right subs, Song was booked and taken off with the boss maybe seeing that we can afford to have all our attacking players on the pitch at once and it worked.

That second goal showed what Arsenal are all about! I think it was Koscielny that won it, who gave it to Bendtner, who gave it to Wilshere who first time gave it to Fabregas who then released Nasri who ran, cut back and laid on a perfect ball to Arshavin who finished it nicely! Five passes and we got from our box to their box and scored. That was just great to watch. I was happy for Arshavin too because it clearly hasn't been easy for him over the last few months and in recent games, he has given it his all so fair play to him.

The phrase ‘come off age’ was used last night and Jack Wilshere certainly came off age. We as Arsenal supporters always knew what his capable off, but others doubted. I heard a few people question his ability last week when talking about him playing for England but I think yesterday may have even convinced them. He was playing against the best and did not look out of place at all.

Laurent Koscielny too I thought was superb. He was solid when called; he may have given it away sometimes but nearly every player did that once or twice however generally he was outstanding. He is getting better and better every game and I now believe he will be another great Mr Arsene Wenger signing.

A word for Manu Eboue too, I think people were nervous as Sagna was out, but Eboue stood up and gave it his all. He also gave it away here and there but in general, we would take the performance he gave. He did us proud. Well done Manu!

The Emirates was rocking and the boss and players came out to say how much of a difference it made. It was an epic night! I felt like I had played 90 minutes after the game, it really was special. I did take a few blows when the second goal went in but I will happily take them, I am sure I’m not alone! Jumping a few rows forward after the second goal wasn’t too clever either but who cares! We won!

The second leg will be very tough, we all remember what happened last season and Barcelona at home are completely different prospect BUT we have a lead and saw yesterday we can compete.

The season is hotting up! STILL FIGHTING ON FOUR FRONTS!!

Come on you ARSENAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I stupidly was too excited and forgot to take any videos but have got a good one from my mate James Howard. You can follow him on twitter on http://twitter.com/jamezjamez

Thanks James!



Enjoy and Roll on Sunday!

STILL FIGHTING ON ALL FOUR FRONTS!