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‘It’s important to stay cool in a final’

Having claimed three domestic cups over the course of his career, Kim Kallstrom knows exactly what is needed to win a final.

The 31-year-old lifted the Swedish Cup in his first season at Djurgardens IF, before adding the Coupe de France with Lyon in both 2008 and 2012.

Arsenal face Hull City in the FA Cup final on Saturday and Kallstrom had some good advice ahead of the Wembley showpiece.

"You need to trust in your abilities and in the qualities of the team and stay cool no matter what happens, especially at the beginning of the game"

Kim Kallstrom

“I think a cool head [is vital], not to feel too much pressure,” he told Arsenal Player. “You need to trust in your abilities and in the qualities of the team and stay cool no matter what happens, especially at the beginning of the game.

“We’re favourites so we just have to be patient, like we were against Wigan. Even though we were struggling we were patient and continued with our way of playing - in the end it paid off.”

Kallstrom could make his final appearance for the club at Wembley, and he says he will enjoy every last minute of it if he gets the chance to play.

“It’s really nice [to appear in a final],” he said. “When you play almost all the time in the league, there’s always another game. But when you play a final it’s all about getting the trophy.

“You and all your team-mates can go up into the stands and lift the trophy - that is an amazing feeling and one of the reasons why we all play football. It’s because we love to win trophies.”