Our recent record at Wembley is one to be proud of: nine games played, nine won, three Emirates FA Cups won, three Community Shields lifted.
It is quite a stat to take into an away north London derby, but this one will be different to what has come before as it’s taking place at the national stadium.
But what difference will it make? This is what Arsene Wenger had to say:
on winning nine in a row at Wembley…
They were always very important games for us, vital games, so that is why the focus was there. Is that especially linked with the players? No, it is just linked with the fact that at Wembley you play special games where you are under pressure to perform and we responded well to it every time.
on preferring to play at Wembley to White Hart Lane…
Yes, because we have a positive history there and of course Wembley is a pitch that is quality, a stadium with a big crowd and it is always a special day in your mind so overall yes.
on whether Arsenal’s record at Wembley will be a decisive factor on Saturday…
Decisive, no. It has a little weight in it because we have a good level of performance there, so we will not feel too much ‘away’ in that situation. Anyway, it will be down to the performance on the day.
on whether the Wembley element will make much of a difference…
I don’t know. I don’t think so. I just think that, for us, it will be more about sorting out the tactical problems. To be at the level of performance we want to be, we have to play our fluent football. What Wembley gives you is a good quality of pitch to allow you to play the kind of game we want to play.
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