Cup final history is on our side, roars Arsene

ARSENE WENGER says his critics should remember his cup record before doubting Arsenal in tomorrow’s Carabao Cup final. The Gunners head for Wembley as underdogs against Manchester City but Wenger is convinced his men have history on their side. The Frenchman is yet to win the League Cup in his 22 years in English football but he has a record seven FA Cups to his name, including a Wembley win nine months ago. ‘Cups are very difficult to win,’ he said. ‘The simple fact is nobody has won more than us. For example, Liverpool is a big club. How many times have they won the FA Cup in their history? Seven. ‘It shows that through history it is not easy to win trophies. ‘Maybe we are the underdogs but we have to believe in our quality. The history, the fact we have done it before, shows… why not do it again? What (that history) means is that you have enough belief to think you can do it, that on the day you managed to turn up with the right spirit, the right mentality, the right belief.’ Wenger also defended Jack Wilshere (left) yesterday after Roy Keane called the midfielder the ‘most overrated player on the planet’. ITV pundit and former Manchester United player Keane ripped into Wilshere’s display in the 2-1 defeat by Ostersunds in the Europa League. ‘I rate Jack very highly, said Wenger. ‘Jack was in a team that didn’t perform well. ‘Was it one of his best performances? Certainly not. Roy Keane knows that can happen to everybody.’ Arsenal welcome back Mesut Ozil from illness tomorrow, while a call will be made today on Aaron Ramsey’s fitness after his troubles with a groin injury.