The first piece of silverware of the season goes up for grabs as Arsenal face Birmingham at Wembley in the Carling Cup final.
Gunners without Fabregas and Walcott; Hleb a doubt for Blues
The first piece of silverware of the season is up for grabs on Sunday at Wembley as Arsenal take on Birmingham in the Carling Cup final.
It's been a run full of hard-fought matches and dramatic moments for both sides, but they have shown the character and resolve to make it this far, and will be desperate to give their fans a trophy to celebrate.
Arsenal have now gone almost six years without winning anything, with Patrick Vieira lifting the FA Cup in May 2005 after beating Manchester United on penalties their last triumph.
It is also the Gunners' first appearance at the new Wembley in a final, having played in their last - a 2-1 defeat - in the same competition against Chelsea four years ago, which was also the the last in the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
Only two players remain from the team that featured in Arsenal's last trophy win in Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie, who was a substitute, but they will be without their Spanish captain due to a hamstring strain.
"He is disappointed," said manager Arsene Wenger.
"We all feel sorry and sad for him. The only way we help him now is to win the Carling Cup as he contributed a lot in this competition."
Another player who made a significant impact the last time they reached the Carling Cup final is Theo Walcott, who scored his first-ever goal for Arsenal four years ago against Chelsea.
However, the England winger is definitely out after coming off in the second half against Stoke on Wednesday, and Birmingham may just be starting to look at the positives rather than looking at Arsenal as a team to fear.
While Arsenal played in the last final in Cardiff, Birmingham featured in the first, and suffered a heart-breaking defeat in a penalty shoot-out loss to Liverpool in the 2001 League Cup.
They so nearly won the game in extra time that day, with Martin O'Connor having a clear shout for a penalty under Stephane Henchoz's challenge denied, before Andy Johnson missed the decisive spot-kick to hand the Reds the cup.
They also have a Carling Cup winner on their side in Ben Foster, whose penalty saves ensured United beat Spurs in the 2009 final.
Rivalry
Arsenal and Birmingham have never been the best of friends, with a rivalry really heating up between the two teams in an infamous match at St Andrews in 2008.
It was memorable for all the wrong reasons, with Martin Taylor's tackle breaking former Gunners striker Eduardo's leg, and captain William Gallas staging a petulant sit-down protest following the Blues' late equaliser to make the game 2-2.
Form suggests that Arsenal should have more than enough to beat Birmingham, but Blues boss Alex McLeish has caused surprises before, and built a side capable of beating more talented sides since their promotion to the Premier League two seasons ago.
Team news
Arsenal will definitely be without Fabregas and Walcott for the game, so the ever-improving Jack Wilshere is likely to be given the Spaniard's role in midfield.
Van Persie looks in line to return to the side having recovered from a hamstring problem, while Laurent Koscielny, who was outstanding against Barcelona, is also set to come back.
Abou Diaby was suspended for the match against Stoke, but he is in line to start for the Gunners should Wenger decide to change his midfield.
Long-term absentees Thomas Vermaelen (Achilles) and Lukasz Fabianski (shoulder) remain sidelined.
Birmingham's major doubt comes in the form of former Arsenal winger Alexandr Hleb, who was stretchered off during their FA Cup win over Sheffield Wednesday last weekend.
The Belarus international has a knee problem, with scans reportedly showing severe bruising, but he will be closely monitored by fitness staff to see if he can take part in the match.
Martin Jiranek is back after missing the win over Wednesday with a thigh injury, whilst striker Cameron Jerome should be ready to compete with Nikola Zigic and Obafemi Martins for a place up front after recovering from an ankle knock.
Scott Dann is out for the season, while David Bentley and Curtis Davies are both cup-tied for the match.
Possible starting XIs:
Arsenal: Szcezsny, Sagna, Koscielny, Djourou, Clichy, Song, Nasri, Wilshere, Rosicky, Arshavin, Van Persie.
Birmingham: Foster, Carr, Johnson, Jiranek, Ridgewell, Larsson, Ferguson, Gardner, Bowyer, Zigic, Martins.
