It's the big one, ladies and gentlemen. Arsene Wenger's nearly-boys against Birmingham City, who deserve to win trophies like I deserve to start for Brazil. After years of denigrating the Carling Cup as some sort of meaningless piece of metal, Arsenal now find themselves in the unfortunate(?) position of going to Wembley and actually playing for the thing. They can't really afford to lose this game, either - not if they want to shed their reputation as chronic underachievers in the trophy department.
Arsenal Vs. Birmingham City, Carling Cup Final: Lineups
The Gunners have to make do without captain Cesc Fabregas and speed merchant Theo Walcott, replaced by Tomas Rosicky and Andrei Arshavin respectively, while Birmingham City have to make do without talent. But they've come this far already - why let that stop them now?
Arsenal (4-3-3): Szczesny; Sagna, Djourou, Koscielny, Clichy; Rosicky, Song, Wilshere; Nasri, van Persie, Arshavin.
Subs: Almunia, Denilson, Squillaci, Eboue, Gibbs, Chamakh, Bendtner.
Birmingham (4-5-1): Foster; Carr, Johnson, Jiranek, Ridgewell; Fahey, Gardner, Ferguson, Bowyer, Larsson; Zigic.
Subs: Taylor, Murphy, Phillips, Jerome, Martins, Parnaby, Beausejour.
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