WEMBLEY HERE WE COME! Carabao Cup final preview & Arsenal predicted XI

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Hello everyone, Charles, what's it? Welcome back to Insign Arsenal.

It is Sunday.

It is cup final day.

I hope you have a good one wherever you're watching or listening to this around the world as always.

Thank you very much for joining me today.

It is finally arrived at this cup final day, Arsenal versus Manchester City.

Kicking off at Wembley in just a few hours time.

I'm going to be heading up there very, very soon.

Can't wait, nervous.

Excited.

All of the emotions wrapped up into one.

I bet you are feeling the same wherever it is.

You are in this world at the moment when you are watching or listening to this.

If you head into the game today, be loud, everyone.

Be loud.

Back the boys.

This could be really special.

This could be the start of something very, very special.

They are going to need our help today.

Be loud.

Be proud.

Come on the Arsenal.

Yes, can't wait.

Can't wait.

Anyway, we are going to talk about a few things in today's preview show.

Loads of you sending in your views, your comments on the start and the 11s.

Loads of you sending in your superstitions as well.

Thank you very much for that.

I asked for that.

I've enjoyed going through them.

See what some of you do before games to make yourself feel better.

I will show you some of those as well.

They did make me smile when I was going through them.

I have already been there.

My lucky answer is my cup of tea.

Every single match day, hopefully it works.

I am not stupid enough to think that my superstitions play any part in what happens on the pitch later on.

It makes me feel a little bit better.

I am sure plenty of you around the world think exactly the same.

Anyway, let's chat about the game.

Shall we?

Interest in this from Arsenal.

These were the pitches that were put out from training yesterday.

And as you can see, you might know the guards there in the background.

If you watch on YouTube, as you can see.

If you listen by podcast, anyway, you can't.

But there is pitches that are asked to put out the ring getty from the official from

Stuart McFarlane.

The official club for talk for obviously and you got might know the guard there.

Walking out to training and you got during timber there on the training pitch.

I found this really interesting.

This is so unlike.

Michele.

To allow these pitches to go out before a big big game.

Which kind of makes me think are we in double bluff territory here?

I'm not probably over thinking it a little bit, but you know,

Michele would not normally let these pitches out.

Absolutely not.

If there's any players who are doubts, especially before a big game.

You'd not they just wouldn't go out.

You know, the talk of a Stuart would be told do not picture these guys in the in the pictures you'll take.

And yet we see might know the guard walking out and timber walking out.

I find it quite interesting as well in the pictures.

We haven't seen Ode to guard training with the ball and the tip pitches of timber are him standing still as well.

So again, my sort of.

Michele are tetter radar is up here.

We'll have to wait and see.

I mean, it's great that they're there.

It's great that they're out the training ground, but I'm still a little bit suspicious.

That it's not some big our tetter double bluff.

Before before before a cup final, but anyway, they are there that.

But in plain sight for everyone to see that they were out with the squad doing some sort of training yesterday.

So that's good news.

I mean, obviously, if you take it on face value and they're involved and they're in the squads, fantastic news.

Fantastic.

You know, especially, you know, I think during timber all certainly going to start 11 if he's fit.

I would have gone not he'll be on the bench if he's fit, but just to have them available and.

I'm involved to be fantastic.

So that's good news on the on the injury front.

Obviously, looks like I mean, if they are fit pretty much everyone, the whole squad is fit.

Aside from account marino.

So yeah, you're probably, if they're in the squad, you're leaving out of our tent is going to have to leave out like three.

Big players from the squad today.

We really, really tough decision for him.

Marsler's Skelly, perhaps.

Christian nor God.

Capitol J. Zeus.

Maybe if you want to smack down in the squad, I don't know.

It's going to be interesting to see who the decisions he does make.

They're not going to be easy.

Whatever it is.

But yeah, good news.

Anyway, from those pictures.

If we do take them on face value that the pair of them could well be involved today.

Michele has been speaking.

He's written some program notes that have gone out in the Caramel Cup program.

You'll be able to pick them up.

Pick that up at Wembley.

If you so wish a little bit later on.

Bit of a rally and cry from Michele.

This is what you have to say.

Since we're all really looking forward to this final.

It's going to be a big day.

And of course, the important thing is making sure we get the outcome that we want.

Having our supporters together sharing the moment makes it more special.

We deserve to be in this position and to be able to win a trophy.

And it's always what you want to be able to share these moments with your people.

So let's make the most of the opportunity and do it together as a club.

There have been some great memories of playing at Wembley, including the 2020 final.

But that is a very different team to the one.

The one now.

So it's time for us to make new memories.

Being in a Cup Final is one of the best moments you can have in a season.

Every time you step out at Wembley, it's very, very special.

The atmosphere is great in a Cup Final.

It's a unique, something different at the season.

Of course, I want to continue a good run.

We've got a Wembley in my time at a club.

Let's keep that momentum.

Feed off the energy.

Do our best to win the trophy.

Eight games, Michele was.

Had it Wembley as a player and as a manager for Arsenal.

And he's won a 100% record.

Not bad.

Not bad.

Fingers crossed.

We can make that nine out of nine today.

I don't want Michele had to say a head of the game.

A K predicted 11 wise.

This is what I've gone for for today's game.

This is what I think he's going to do.

Now, I've gone with timber at right back.

That's just based purely on the fact that.

You know, if he's fit, it'll be if if he's not fit.

I think he'll play white.

I've gotten that's in my mind.

I'm thinking he's going to play Ben White.

If Timber's not fit, but if Timber's fit, I think he starts.

So that's what I've gone with.

So I've gone keptering goal.

I think that's what he'll do.

I'll be surprised now if it if he goes right.

The the the the noises suggest it's going to be.

Kepa in gold today.

And obviously for Manchester City, he can have James Traffin in gold.

So both teams come with a number two goalkeeper for the final.

So keptering goal.

I've gone timber at right back.

So leave a Gabrielle.

And then I think he capya at left back rather than California.

Obviously midfield pairing of Decker Rice and Martin Supermendi.

I've then gone sacchar on the right.

Ezra is the 10 obviously.

And I'm going tross.

On the left.

I think that's what he'll do.

So I did enough and look sharp enough.

On his return in midweek to keep that spot on the left hand side of the attack.

And then I think he'll go.

I have it up front.

Yoko res played well.

I thought in midweek.

And maybe get made the decision harder from a kill than it might have been.

But I think.

I think he'll go.

I have it up front.

I'll be surprised if he if he doesn't.

So Kepa Timber.

Saliba Gabrielle in capya.

Zumendi and Rice Sacker.

Is there tross.

And have it.

So in terms of the team that I would like to see.

I think it's pretty much what I would do.

Apart from I'd go David.

I was seeing goal.

As I said this week.

But aside from that.

I think that is probably.

The team that I would do.

If Ben White.

No, no, no.

Yeah, I would go timber it right back.

I would.

I'd go Saliba Gabrielle.

Maybe I'd play California.

If I'm playing timber as a right back.

Just to give a little bit more attacking emphasis.

But I don't know.

I think he can capya.

Playing playing so well that it'd be tough to leave him out at the moment.

And I think I would go.

I would go with tross.

On the left hand side.

My only issue with that.

Is I'm not too keen on the only.

There's sort of attacking subs being.

Madaway Kay.

Martin Ellie.

And your careers.

Just because they're very sort of low touch substitutes.

And if I asked him what sort of chasing a game at that point.

And Manchester City of drop back.

And of, you know, if you've got a lead, for example,

20 minutes to go and.

They've dropped back into a bit of a sort of low block mid block.

And they're just trying to see the game out.

I'm not sure the.

The subs of.

Madaway Kay.

Martin Ellie and your careers.

When there's no space to run into.

Are going to be able to do much.

So that's my only fear with this starting 11 is that I think the subs

would not be great if we're in a losing position.

If we're in a winning position, I think they could be fantastic obviously

because.

Then there will be space to run into because City will be having to go for it.

And that leaves space behind that the lights of.

Madaway Kay.

Martin Ellie and.

And.

Especially your careers might be able to.

Really, really feed off.

So.

So I think the decisions for our tether to make no doubt about it right.

Let's share what some of you guys have been saying ahead of the game in terms of what's

starting 11's you would do.

Do you want your soccer analysis more direct than an arse or set piece?

Join me max russian and the guardians expert soccer journalist for the latest action.

And news from the Premier League to the Champions League.

And all the way to the World Cup will have chat more out of the box than the Dominic

sobbers lie pre kick more panelists than Chelsea of players and unlike the AR.

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A warrior top five says nerves have started to kick in and come on you gunners. Have

us has to start up top superstitions. My dad and I have to sit in specific positions in the lounge.

I always wear my viking armoring and thoughts. Okay, Nick says you have to start with Martin

Ellie. The game could be really long. We'd need to have a lazy outlet for 60 minutes.

Your crazy Martin Ellie balls into the channel, run them hard, sub them both 70 minutes for

tross hard and have us. And you need to decide when Sakura is replaced by Matt Awake or do you play

nonny first. Lord inquisitor says I understand that Kepper is a cup keeper but we can see the two

goals against Chelsea that Raya would have presented. I'd go full strength. As Steven says, we're a

team of 25 players. Each one perfectly capable of doing a phenomenal job and that's why we are

where we that's why we are where we are this season. Andrew says Charles, I think the right thing

to do with a goalkeeper decision is to use Kepper. This will send goalkeeping competition amongst our

keeper and drive performance. Thank you to all of you guys. Now we've got a couple here from the

discord. Warwick says hi, Charles. I think our test will go with Kepper, Timber, Saliva, Gabriela,

Hinkapiae, Zubimendi Rice says a Saka, Havers and Trosside. It's an agreement with me there.

Say also my pre-match superstition routine is to rewatch the last three match highlights between

the two teams watching the highlights from that one one drawing September just reminds me how deflated

I was in the stands until that Martin Ellie equalizer. And then the utter duvelation afterwards,

hugging random people next to me and enjoying that amazing moment. I hope all the Arsenal fans

at Wembley today get the experience to get to experience the latter. Come on, you gunners,

finally, Nico says Pepp always has played his number two keeper in the NFL Cup Finals. So did

Klopp, Marinho to my knowledge, always started check. It will probably mean nothing and it looks

more like Kepper will start. Also Kepper has lost two league Cup Finals, the famous Sarri penalty one

and then in 2022 he was brought on for the pens, saved, none and missed his. It's either a big

Kepper mistake or written in the stars for him to win it for us. Hopefully, hopefully, Nick,

Nico Robb, it is a it is a latter. Hopefully he does win it for us. So thank you very much for all

you guys for getting involved in that. Now Gabrielle has been doing some pretty much media interviews ahead

of the final. I think this is going to be such a massive battle. Of course, it is. It's always

box office Gabrielle versus Erlin Harland. They could literally just have the camera on these two

for 90 minutes and it'll be entertaining to watch. And there's a real sort of respect amongst the

two of them. There's a real, real competition to get one over the other. Both have enjoyed big

moments against the other over the years. You know, Harland scored his goals against Arsenal,

scored a brilliant one at the Emirates this season when Gabrielle sort of went, I think it was Gabrielle.

Was it Saliba coming, which one it was? I think it was Gabrielle sort of charged in a little bit,

got caught out possession and Harland ran in behind him and scored it brilliantly. Like only

Harland really can. But then Gabrielle's had the better of him at times as well. So it's just a

fantastic battle between two players, absolutely the peak of their powers in their positions,

going up head to head against each other. And it's always fantastic to watch. And Gabrielle was

speaking about that sort of battle in part as part of his interviews. And he said, I enjoy every game,

every striker. It's my job. I like to battle. He's a top player in Harland. I think he likes to

play against me as well. It's fun. We enjoy it. And there is, you know, it's always interesting to

watch because they do wind each other up. They do get at each other, but there's always a bit of,

you can tell there's proper mutual respect there between between the two. They know that it just

doesn't take much for the other to get the better of them. And they really, really want to get one

over each other. So it's always fun to watch. And that's obviously going to be crucial today.

You know, keep Harland quiet. And you do go a long way to keep him Manchester City quiet in

the final third. So that would be really, really important today. In terms of sort of his season and

his defensive powers, all that sort of stuff. Gabrielle's talked about sort of players. He's looked

up to instead of past and the joy he gets from defending the way he does. He says, I've watched a lot

of defenders before. Maldini, kind of Varro Lucio. And of course, he got Tiago Silver and Marquinhos.

I've learned a lot when I want to players like that. Beautiful football is not only a beautiful

pass, but it's also when you defend and the way you defend. I try to bring energy to everyone

and help my teammates when I was younger. I was very aggressive when I played in my friends. They

would say calm down. You're a professional, but it's just like I do it every day. It's just in my

mind, I try to defend my house. We have a good feeling. We can't wait. It's going to be a big

battle and I'm ready to do this. We've learned a lot in the past the last three years. We didn't get

it done. But this year we started well. We're in a good moment. Just keep doing what we're doing

and let's see how it ends. Well, hopefully Gabby ends today. We you holding big shiny trophy in

those hands of yours because you deserve it. All the players deserve it. Fingers crossed. You can

get it done. I just feel I'm going to go on a bit of a speech now in terms of this squad. I just feel

that this isn't the beer and endal today. It's not. That's a really nice feeling to have on a

cup final day. Obviously you want to win this competition. Absolutely. You want to win this competition.

You're in the final. I think it's really nice in a way that this isn't the beer and endal.

There's so many times for Arsenal in recent years anyway when we've got to a cup final. It's

basically cup final or nothing. There's been nothing else to look forward to. You sort of get season

and brilliant. You win it and we want it with the FA Cup in recent years but it's like that's

kind of a one off. There've been nowhere in the league but this year you know this is a star.

This is the first of potential four trophies we can still win in such a good position and it's

just a really nice feeling to go into the cup final thinking that but it is all about you know once

you're in the final it is all about winning. You don't want to be that losing team. You don't want

to be the team standing there. You know at the end of the game sort of just looking out on the pitch

watching the other team celebrate watching our end sort of gradually empty while the other ends

in listening to their songs waving their scars waving their flags celebrating. It's a horrible

feeling leaving Wembley like that and I've done it many a times before especially in cup in

league cup finals. Never in an FA Cup and never seen us losing FA Cup Final or Wembley but seeing

us lose plenty of league cups and I just feel for this team you know they've been so special

this team over the recent years so special we've all built this connection with them. You know we all

want them to succeed you know for us as well of course for us but for them you know what's

how I feel anyway it's like I just want them because I think they absolutely deserve it. I think

we cannot test it deserves it. I think the coaching staff deserve it. I think the club deserve it.

I think we deserve it. I think the players deserve it and I also think if the players win it today

adjusting it can be so important for what's to come this season it will the joy they'll have

it will give them the confidence it will give them the belief it will give them you know just

could be so so important for the rest of the season so I just really really hope today we can

get the job done they can get the job done and they can get the celebration and that feeling

that they deserve because it's often that the hardest trophy to win and we've found this out

over the last few years the hardest trophy to win is that first trophy if you can get it done

and you know what it feels like to win as a group together it just strengthens that bond

it strengthens that belief and it can go on to do and you can go on to do special special things

afterwards so I just really hope the guys get it done today right I'm going to go through some of

your superstitions now thank you as always and I just send these in because I thought it'd give

me a smile when I was reading through them they absolutely did so thank you very much for that

some funny ones in here so let's go through a few of them saki first of all says I'll be watching

TV I'll be watching on TV and the rule in the house is never pick up the remote with your left hand

on match day that's bad like that is hard one to remember throughout a whole of match day and if

you've got an eight o'clock kickoff but you're sitting at you've been sitting at oval day waiting for

a game and you cannot lift it where you're left hand that is very hard to remember so that takes

a lot of willpower to get that through so that one made me laugh as did this one from podge 64886

he says I never reach for getting pollinates the day before or the day of a game never listen to

Arsenal play on talks for and recently been wearing the third kit not lost while wearing it won't

wash it until we lose in case it washes away any good luck fair play where that third kit today podge

what what is the spaghetti pollinates thing about what what is that done to become the superstition

let me know and that really made me laugh oh in from Montreal I said my superstition is around

wearing particular Arsenal jersey I bought the white away kit because it's beautiful but at the

start the season every time I wore it we got a bad result so then I started only wearing an away

champions league jersey from 25 sorry 2015 2016 and then for home games I was wearing last season's

home journey until we had two bad jersey into we had two bad results now that's been shown

because of superstition I can't tell you my current jersey but if we win the league I will share it

see what I was thinking for you I've managed to get myself out of my superstition of what I wear

I had it for a long time in terms of what I was wearing but I've managed to get myself out of that

I've made a big attempt this season not to worry myself about what I'm wearing for games

but so I understand what you guys are talking about because for so long that was a really really

key superstition in my head ahead of a game of Sanjay he says talking to superstitions this is

the first season in about five where I haven't bought an Arsenal shirt or merchandise so I will

continue to refrain from opening my wallet do that Sanjay do that a Babel says my superstitions

is I don't wear my Arsenal jersey when watching on telly I will wear it when watching Arsenal

games live my starting line up today will be Keppel White Gabby Saliba Calafiri Zubmendi Rai says

as Sakha Havatsumartinelli prediction two on to the Arsenal score as Ezra and Martinelli

Arsenalistic says this is going to sound odd I know but this is my superstition I've noticed an

uncomfortable amount of time over recent years whenever I wear my Arsenal shirt during games when

watching on TV we always lose so when the game kicks off I'll pop a normal t-shirt on until full

time whistle goes when we get the win then straight back on go see Arsenal shirt Michael says my

superstition thing on a match day I never wear anything that is near the colors of the other team

so nothing blue for me I tell you what one day you know that the in the first title season that

we had under our teta the first title charge and then we went to the Etihad and we lost four one

you know at the end of the season that basically done it for us I remember turning up in the

Etihad and I was wearing a blue jumper and I just hadn't clocked it I hadn't thought about it

at all and then I got to the game I walked in the stadium and I remember I did a sort of pre-match

video from the press box and everyone was saying you're wearing blue jumper and it was just like

a man city blue as well and I said how have I done that I always think that was such a stupid thing

to do Devon says another superstition of mine I need my partner to wish Arsenal luck I watched the

first leg versus Lava Cousin in the gym on my phone Pond leaving the gym I remember she hadn't

wish me luck and sent me a message despite being beside me we equalized five minutes later this

actually began with a previous partner with a late luck message being the reason for the three two

bottom of turn around what makes me laugh there is that you've got your new partner to do the

thing that your ex did did you actually say to her look my ex used to do this can you do it as well

and I'm surprised that went down well if you did and she agreed to do it but fair play and I hope

she wishes a hope she wishes us luck wishes you luck today so thank you very much to all you

guys sending those in that did make me smile on a day where I do and feel very very nervous and

on edge anyway so that did that did make me laugh thank you very much everyone look that's it

it's cut final day now focus on the cut final everyone if you're going as I said at the start be

loud back the boys make it a brilliant atmosphere at our end of the stadium fingers crossed we get the

ending that we all want take it easy everyone I'll be back in the morning probably without a

voice again unfortunately you might have to bear with me on that one and hopefully reviewing reacting

to a brilliant Arsenal win take it easy come on the Arsenal speak to you soon bye bye

looking for soccer analysis more knowing than a Carlo Ancelotti eyebrow raise with the

world cup around the corner join me max russian and the guardians expert soccer journalists on

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