It is a very important period in the season for Arsenal after they successfully achieved their objective of reaching the Carling Cup Final after a good performance against Ipswich, on Tuesday.

Talking to his personal website after the game, midfielder Andrey Arshavin confessed the players took the game very seriously as they tried to impose themselves from the first minute of the game. Having failed to find an early goal, the 29-year old explained how manager Arsene Wenger asked his players to be patient and keep playing in the same way as the Ipswich back four would eventually get tired.

The Russian was full of praise for Nicklas Bendtner and Jack Wilshere who created the opening goal for the Gunners as he honestly explained how his game was not one of the best despite producing the two assists for the Arsenal second and third.

Asked about the Final at Wembley and Arsenal’s golden opportunity to end their five-year trophyless crisis, Arshavin concluded by saying how the Gunners should be considered favourites regardless who they get to play – Birmingham City after the second semi-final – and how it all depends on how they perform on February 27.

After the game, he said:

We took a very seriously approach to this game, tried to “crush” our opponents from the very first minute of the match. We expected to score a quick first goal. But after the first 45 minutes, the score was still 0:0.

During the break Arsene told us to play in the same high-tempo and try to speed up. He said that there would come a moment when the Ipswich players would get tired and then it would get more and more difficult for them to hold back our attacks.

The coach asked us to keep our cool, not to make hasty, ill-considered passes, take care of the ball. He was sure that there would come a moment when we’d press them out. Actually, we played that way and that led to the Nicklas’ goal. I would say that the goal came at the right time. Here it’s worth pointing out not only his skills in finishing this chance off, but also Wilshere’s great assist.

It wasn’t a super match for me. But I’m satisfied with the result. I’m glad that I was useful to the squad. [For the final], considering the names, our club is the favorite. But, this is the final. Everything will depend only on us, on our game in this match.