Everton winger Theo Walcott feels his former club Arsenal have the needed FA Cup experience to beat Chelsea in Saturday’s final at Wembley.
Arsenal’s 2-1 win against the same opposition in 2017 took their tally of FA Cup wins to a record 13, overtaking Manchester United on 12.
Both Mikel Arteta and Frank Lampard will have the chance to claim their first piece of silverware as managers when the two sides go to battle this weekend.
Walcott – who won two FA Cups during his time at the Emirates – believes the Gunners will have the edge given their recent record of final victories at Wembley.
‘You’re going to be judged on winning things and they’re both massive clubs that need to be winning things,’ Walcott told talkSPORT.
‘I just feel that with the history that Arsenal have in this competition, the experience, they’ve been there done it.
‘Mikel obviously winning it and lifting it, for me, there’s only one winner there.
‘I’m backing Arsenal, I’ll be cheering them all the way.’
Walcott says that the notion that the magic of the FA Cup has died out is nonsense and winning it has put him in an enviable position.
‘People always say the love of the FA Cup is not there anymore and for me that’s complete rubbish,’ the ex-Gunner added.
‘It’s a cup that every player looks back on and always wants to win. I’m one of the lucky ones that’s managed to win it.
‘Some of the guys in the Everton dressing room would bite off my hand to be in that same situation.’
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