Seaman urges Gunners to take double chance

Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman has urged his team-mates not to allow their chances of winning the Double to slip through their fingers in today’s FA Cup final against Chelsea.

Arsenal look likely to clinch the Barclaycard Premiership title next week, needing a point at Manchester United to make sure, but their first chance of silverware comes in Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium.

It would be the club’s first trophy since last securing the Double in 1998, having finished runners-up three times in the league as well as in the 2000 UEFA Cup and last season’s FA Cup in the meantime.

Seaman declared: ‘‘It would be a huge shame if we came this far and did not win anything. We’ve been second too often and it’s about time we won something again.’’

The England international, who looks likely to make his first start in the competition this season at the expense of Richard Wright, found his warning echoed by team-mate Dennis Bergkamp.

The Dutchman added: ‘‘We have to realise that we have to be successful in the next few years as you might never have a team like this in the club again, with so much talent and so many players at the right age.

‘‘The medals are what you do it for. You can be a great footballer but if you don’t win anything, people will soon forget you and I can’t imagine you get that much satisfaction out of that.’’

Bergkamp will finally get the chance to start an FA Cup final to end four years of frustration after being injured for the finale to the 1997-98 season, missing a penalty in the semi-final replay the next year and only being a substitute 12 months ago.

While he will partner Thierry Henry, Arsene Wenger’s main selection dilemma apart from deciding between Seaman and Wright revolves around his central defenders.

Sol Campbell returned after injury as a substitute at Bolton last Monday night, but is now said to be fully fit and is desperate for a recall, with Martin Keown’s place most at risk.

‘‘Any footballer likes playing in finals and I’m no different,’’ said Campbell, whose only other such experience was the 1999 Worthington Cup final with Tottenham.

‘‘It’s been an exciting season and it’s not over yet, so I’m looking forward to it.

‘‘Chelsea have great strikers and you have to watch them carefully but it doesn’t matter who is playing, we’ll be ready.’’

Keown, meanwhile, added: ‘‘We’ve all played our part but the most important thing is that we win a trophy this season and it has the makings of a fantastic game.’’

Wenger’s other selection decision revolves around whether to pick Sylvain Wiltord or Ray Parlour on the right flank, while Parlour and Edu will contest the central midfield spot alongside Patrick Vieira.

The Frenchman will come up against his former Highbury midfield partner, Emmanuel Petit, but there will be no room for sentiment in Cardiff.

Vieira said: ‘‘Manu is a great professional and a great friend. No matter what happens, our friendship will be as strong as ever because we have been through so much together.

‘‘But in the FA Cup final, there is only one team I want to win and Manu is in the opposition. When I go out on to the pitch at Cardiff, I want to win for Arsenal and he understands that.’’