History beckons for Arsenal as they look to secure a record 12th FA Cup trophy. The Gunners will go into the final on Saturday, May 30 as substantial -235 favorites over Aston Villa. But can the Villans play spoilers to Arsenal’s bid to rewrite the record books?
Let’s see what the various experts think about the final, and how they see things going down in Wembley. Meanwhile, don’t forget to check out our comprehensive preview of the match here.
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Experts Predictions for Arsenal vs. Aston Villa 2015 FA Cup Final
International Business Times
Expert
Prediction
Jason Le Miere
Arsenal, 2-1
[sc:Soccer240banner ]Jason Le Miere of the IBTimes is going with the Gunners to defend their FA Cup crown. He expressed a little apprehension with Arsenal’s ability to perform in the big game based on past history. Remember, the Gunners were two goals down within the first eight minutes in last year’s final against Hull. They were also picked apart in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal clash against big-time underdog Monaco.
Le Miere also brings up the looming threat of Villa’s Christian Benteke, who will come into the final having scored 12 goals in his last 12 games. But in the end, Le Miere fancies Arsenal’s superior ability to overcome a Villa side that has not shown the same defensive solidity under manager Tim Sherwood.
We Are Hooligans
Expert
Prediction
Robert Molnar
Arsenal, 3-1
Robert Molnar, from Fansided’s soccer-centric site We Are Hooligans, also predicts an Arsenal win by a much more convincing margin. Similar to Le Miere, Molnar stresses the importance of Benteke for Villa’s chances. He goes so far as to say the team’s chances of lifting the Cup lie “squarely on his shoulders.”
But he also notes that if Arsenal can score first, the tie would be pretty much won. That early lead would force Villa to come forward, and allow the Gunners to pick them apart with counterattacks. The form of Olivier Giroud will be key for Arsenal. The first-choice center forward has been in a seven-week goal drought.
Top Bet
Expert
Prediction
Top Bet
Arsenal, 2-0
Top Bet is right there with the other two experts in believing Arsenal are bound for their record 12th FA Cup title. The Gunners just have too many weapons to throw at Villa, weapons that have already inflicted 3-0 and 5-0 wins over the Villans in the two league meetings this season.
Theo Walcott is one such weapon manager Arsene Wenger can call upon. Walcott will be in fine form after firing a hat-trick in their final league game of the season.
But Villa also have more up their sleeve than simply Benteke. 19-year old Jack Grealish was instrumental in defeating Liverpool in the semis, and could do the same to the Gunners. Meanwhile, captain Fabian Delph will battle hard in the middle of the park against Arsenal’s army of attacking midfielders.
Ginny the Penguin
Expert
Prediction
Ginny
Aston Villa
It’s pretty clear that Arsenal are the consensus pick in this final, but they’re not the unanimous pick. Oh no. One “expert” has stuck out her head (er, beak?) in support of Villa. That expert is none other than Ginny the psychic penguin.
Ginny didn’t exactly offer any sort of tactical analysis in justification of her bold pick, although National Sea Life Centre staff member Naomi Bird declared that there “was no hesitation in Ginny’s decision.” If Ginny’s strong conviction is enough to sway you toward taking Villa at +530, then godspeed.
