The Carling Cup is being held this Sunday at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff

This Sunday’s Carling Cup is the first major trophy of the season and the first time two London teams have met in the final. Chelsea, travel without injured skipper John Terry - but are still seen as favourites as experience and quality should see them get the better of a young Arsenal side.

Arsenal’s kids have proved their credentials in the run up to the final, beating Liverpool, Everton and Spurs. Chelsea had an easier route beating Aston Villa, Newcastle and Wycombe but have suffered with injuries which will see an unfamiliar defence take the field on Sunday.

The game could see the return of injured Ashley Cole to face his former team mates, after having played in the reserves this week. Ashley has been cruelly dubbed “Cashley” and even “Greedy” (when with wife Tweedy) by Arsenal fans following his move across London, which still creates controversy on both sides of the terraces so we can expect high and hard tackles if he plays. Arsene Wenger will be sticking with the youngsters that have bought him to the final as a reward for their hard work and results, but who will win the battle of the kids versus the kings?

Our Verdict on the Match

The young lions from north London could well pull a shock result out of the bag, as they have the confidence of their manager and everything to gain from a roaring victory. But Chelsea have the superstar players to tame and shame the youngsters: in form Shevchecko will relish the chance to prove his worth on the biggest stage of the season so far, and a self-confident Chelsea could well see Arsenal’s young lions scampering back to North London, and Chelsea installed as the king of the concrete jungle.

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