Former Spurs midfielder Tom Huddlestone says he is being inundated with messages from his Tottenham pals begging him to extend Arsenal’s run of no trophies in nine years by helping Hull City to beat Arsenal in the FA Cup final at Wembley next weekend.
If Hull should emerge victorious it will be the first major trophy they have won in over a century with Huddlestone saying that he was sorry that he could not play in Ledley King’s testimonial at White Hart Lane this week due to his club commitments but said he had received messages telling the Sunday People: “I’ve had a few texts. When I said I wasn’t able to play a few people told me as long as we beat Arsenal all would be forgiven.
“It will add a bit to the occasion if we do win it but primarily it’s about Hull winning the Cup and me having a trophy on the CV.”
Huddlestone went on to say that there was no other club in England playing such attractive football as Arsenal and was surprised that it had been nine years since they last won any silverware.
“The style of football they play is constantly the best in the league. They’ve got their policy of buying younger players and bringing them through which is commendable.
“Players like Özil can make a massive impact if you are prepared to spend the money.
“Another one or two players like that and they’d have been right up there for the whole season, challenging for the league title.
“But as long as we can keep them quiet, it will be a great season for us.”
Huddlestone also believes that despite being underdogs they can win the cup pointing to Manchester City’s defeat to Wigan saying: “There is no point getting to a final if you just intend to enjoy the day and nothing else,” Huddlestone went on.
“Wembley is probably the worst place in the world to lose, and I have lost there twice.
“I lost in a semi-final to Portsmouth, who were massive underdogs, and then to Manchester United on penalties in the Carling Cup.
“It’s a horrible feeling and one everyone in our dressing room was experiencing at half-time in our semi-final against Sheffield United the other week.
“We had come so far and we were about to throw it away after 45 minutes.
“But if we can start the final like we finished the semi I think we’ve got a good shout.
“Arsenal are massive favourites but hopefully the underdog tag can do us a favour.
“All the pressure’s on them. We have just to go out there, stifle their strengths and find their weaknesses.
“We know we will get a couple of chances and it is just about being clinical and having a bit of luck on the day.
“The manager will come up with a game plan and if we can implement it we will have a decent chance of a result.”
