Skysports.com pick out the key individual battles that could determine Sunday's Carling Cup final.
skysports.com pick out the key individual battles that could determine Sunday's final
While injuries to Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott have not quite swung the pendulum in Birmingham's favour for Sunday's Carling Cup final, it's certainly given the bookies something to think about. Arsenal will miss the influential duo but regardless of who's selected, managers Arsene Wenger and Alex McLeish will be imploring their respective charges to win individual battles all over the field. Here,
skysports.com pick out three such duels which could go a long way to deciding the game's outcome.
LAURENT KOSCIELNY V OBAFEMI MARTINS
A red card on his Barclays Premier League debut represented an inauspicious start to Koscielny's life as a Gunner. Since then his fortunes have improved and while his form has not been without the odd hiccup, he has established himself as Arsene Wenger's most regular central defensive appearance maker. Martins' Birmingham career is also in its infancy since his January loan arrival from Russia's Rubin Kazan. While it will take the striker time to settle, he brings much-needed dynamism to a side often lacking cutting edge.
ANDREY ARSHAVIN V BARRY FERGUSON
Resurgent Arshavin finds himself as one of Sunday's key players following recent injuries to Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott which rule them out at Wembley. Just weeks ago the Russian ace was below par, but he has bagged crucial goals off the bench against Everton and Barcelona. Arshavin loves making forward runs and has a keen eye for goal. In Ferguson, Arshavin comes up against a kindred spirit of sorts. A passer within a workmanlike team, the Scot looks to keep the ball on the floor rather than allow his side to resort to cruder methods.
ROBIN VAN PERSIE V ROGER JOHNSON
A substitute in the 2005 FA Cup final win and 2006 Champions League defeat by Barcelona, Van Persie also missed the 2007 Carling Cup final loss against Chelsea. Both he and his team will hope the graceful and incisive forward can now finally star in a major final for his club. While the Dutchman is revered for his guile and technique, his opponent at Wembley, Roger Johnson, is known for his typically British grit and wholehearted commitment. Strong in the air and adept at last-gasp blocking, the Londoner will need to be quick of mind too if he is to harness the Dutchman.
