Arsenal will be aiming to collect their first silverware for six years when they take on Birmingham in the Carling Cup final on Sunday.
The last trophy Arsenal won was the 2005 FA Cup – secured at the expense of Manchester United in a penalty shootout following a scrappy 0-0 draw at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium.
Arsenal have since left their long-term home at Highbury for the new Emirates Stadium.
They reached the final of the Champions League in 2006, the Carling Cup in 2007 and have been in the running for the English Premier League title, but all without success.
The club’s owners and fans have kept faith with manager Arsene Wenger, who has preached a policy of youth development and transfer market restraint.
The Carling Cup is undeniably less prestigious than the league title and European trophies that the Emirates faithful crave.
Nevertheless, with major question marks remaining over the mental strength of an Arsenal squad that has consistently stumbled in the latter stages of competitions, winning any trophy – regardless of stature – is now a key priority for the north London outfit.
If they are to break their hoodoo, they must do so without talismanic captain Cesc Fabregas, who has been ruled out of the Wembley final with a hamstring strain.
Wide attacker Theo Walcott is also missing, but Robin van Persie, Laurent Koscielny and Abou Diaby will return after sitting out Arsenal’s 1-0 league win over Stoke City on Wednesday.
Birmingham, meanwhile, have endured a far longer wait than Arsenal to expand their trophy collection.
The team have won the second division title four times in their history and the third division once, but their only major piece of silverware remains the 1963 League Cup – when the competition was only three years old and contested by a reduced field.
Fifteenth in the Premier League table and primarily concerned with avoiding relegation, Birmingham have exceeded expectations to reach the final of the competition.
Former Arsenal man Sebastian Larsson will relish the chance of lining up against the club where he began his career.
Another ex-Gunner Alexander Hleb was on the bench for Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat at the hands of Chelsea in the 2007 final, but may be forced to sit out the match against his former club as he struggles to overcome a knee problem.
First-choice defender Scott Dann and Liam Ridgewell will play no part due hamstring and calf injuries respectively.
Fri 25 February, 2011
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