I’m really looking forward to the 25th February. Normally any Arsenal game, let alone a cup final, sees you go through a host of emotions,. For the Carling Cup final however, stress should, in theory, be absent - we can all just enjoy a nice day out.

Wenger’s record in cup competitions is truly remarkable. In ten full seasons, we have now reached EIGHT cup finals (most football fans dream of going to one...). In 1998 the FA Cup final, in 2000 the UEFA Cup final, in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2005 more FA Cup finals, and of course last year, a trip to Paris for the Champions League Final. In 1999, it took a (painful) defeat in a semi final replay in extra time, to the eventual treble winners, to prevent another Cup final appearance, (and perhaps another double). And in 2004, another semi defeat to Man Utd - sweetened somewhat by an unbeaten league season.

Two points should be considered in the build-up to this latest trip to Cardiff. Firstly, we are incredibly lucky to have had such a sustained period of opportunity and success. Secondly, and almost in spite of this, eight finals in ten years is hardly a relaxing pastime - the stress can be crazy! In fact, the trauma of the 2005 final, with the extra time and then the penalties nearly finished me off, and I’m only 23! So why am I looking forward to this final? For once the pressure is off.

Firstly, it is the Carling Cup Final. Despite it enjoying a slight renaissance over the last couple of years, it is still the Carling Cup - only slightly higher in prestige than the Intertoto. All these cup finals over the last ten years have seemed to attract maximum stress in the build-up and on the day, mainly because of the status of the Cup in question. The Carling is unquestionably the lowest in the list of priorities, so there is certainly less stress attached to it.

Secondly, the team in this competition has been, and will be, made up of reserves and kids. Chelsea will no doubt play there strongest team, so the pressure on Arsenal is most definitely off. Regardless of how well they have played so far in previous rounds, and they have done extremely well, no one should expect them to win - even us. If Wenger played his strongest team, Chelsea would still be favourites. Therefore the kids can play without fear - like they have done in every other round - and just see where their best takes them. I don’t believe they will freeze. If they can go to the Hawthorns, Goodison, Anfield and WHL, the Millennium shouldn’t pose any additional problems. There will be more Arsenal fans there than in all the previous rounds. As well as this, the pressure on Chelsea will be intense, something which they have only really faced this season. If Chelsea do not win convincingly, they will get hammered. In fact, I would be worried as a Chelsea fan, because this Arsenal team could seriously show them up - and if they do win, well, we just played our kids...

So the 25th Feb really is a win-win situation for us Gooners. Win and it will be a superb achievement from the young guns and humiliation for Chelsea. Lose the final, and it will still be a superb achievement by the young guns just to have got there. So as fans, enjoy the last trip to Cardiff, and relax. As my mate will say, the main thing is we have “a nice day out.”