Five reasons Arsenal will bottle FA Cup chance
Arsenal could finally end their nine-year trophy drought this weekend when they face Hull in the FA Cup final.
But while Gunners players are talking up their chances with blossoming confidence, fans are taking a more cautious approach, discussing reasons Arsene Wengers men may make a mess of things tomorrow, with the Twitter hashtag #ReasonsArsenalMightBottleIt.
Here are Metros top five reasons Arsenal may miss their chance at Wembley.
Memories of Birmingham 2011
Arsenal were clear favourites to lift the League Cup in 2011 against Premier League strugglers Birmingham, who were eventually relegated that same season. But they couldnt make their superior status count and lost 2-1 to a last minute Obafemi Martins goal. Even now, its unlikely Arsene Wenger is over the fact he was outwitted by Alex McLeish.
Weight of expectation
Theres no doubt Arsenal go into tomorrows game as the clear favourites. But as Manchester City found out last season, it can be a hindrance. Arsenal players know this is their chance to end the nine-year trophy drought and become heroes not to mention the Gunners havent won silverware at Wembley since 1998. That alone is a fair amount of pressure, without throwing in the hallowed turf, 90,000 fans and history of the competition. And for Arsene Wenger, this could be his final chance to win silverware for the Gunners.
Hull might just fancy it too
Not only is it the Tigers first ever FA Cup final, but boss Steve Bruce has a bit of a point to prove against the Gunners too. In the 20 games hes been in the opposite dugout to Arsene Wenger, Bruce has emerged victorious just twice thats a pretty shambolic record by anyones standards. Nows the time for Bruce to put things right. And for the Hull players, they go into the game with no worries, no expectations and can just enjoy the occasion, knowing theyve already secured European football next season. As Wigan proved last season against Manchester City, a lack of pressure can work wonders.
More Arsenal players are thinking about the World Cup
With one eye on next months tournament in Brazil, there are a fair few Arsenal players who may think twice about 50-50 challenges tomorrow. Up to 10 World Cup players could be involved for the Gunners tomorrow, while Hull have just Nikica Jelavic and Maynor Figueroa going to Brazil.
Arsenal struggle in big games
In Arsenals six games against the other top four clubs this season, the Gunners only won once against Liverpool back in November. Although, they did also beat the Reds again in the Fifth Round of the Cup, but lost heavily to Brendan Rodgers side, Chelsea and Manchester City throughout the course of the campaign. Thats without the struggle they had to get past Championship side Wigan in the FA Cup semi-final last month.
