Koscielny ignores favourites tag ahead of Final

Laurent Koscielny believes there are no favourites in an FA Cup Final.

Last season Wigan Athletic defied the critics by defeating Manchester City at Wembley and a Hull win on Saturday would, once again, prove bookmakers wrong.

However Arsenal’s French defender denies that the East Riding outfit are underdogs for the showpiece final.

“In a final you can play against a big team or a small team but it’s still only one game,” explained Koscielny.

“We are not favourites and they are not outsiders. It’s two teams who will fight for their club in an effort to win the trophy.”

Much is often made of Arsenal’s nine-year wait for a trophy and Koscielny admits the players are determined to get that particular monkey off their backs.

And he believes if they can defeat Hull on Saturday it could be the catalyst the club needs.

“We want to win this trophy. The fans and all the people who love this club have waited a long time. When you play a final the most important thing is to win.”

“I hope if we win the cup there will be less pressure and hopefully we can continue to play with our philosophy to help us win more trophies.”

Arsenal celebrate their Semi-Final win against Wigan

The defender also believes that ending the season with an FA Cup in the trophy cabinet has become even more important after the Gunners endured a difficult six weeks in the Premier League in which the north London outfit win just one of six matches.

Wenger’s men recovered to win their remaining five fixtures and secured fourth place but Koscielny believes that is the minimum they expected from their season.

“When you stay first for 128 days it’s good but we wanted first place at the end of the season” said the centre-half.

“We finished fourth which is the minimum for Arsenal. If we win the FA Cup it will be a good season but not a perfect season because a perfect season because a perfect season would be winning the Premier League title.”