PAUL Tait reckons Birmingham City couldn’t have any tougher opponents than Arsenal in the final.

And the key to Blues’ chances of lifting their first piece of major silverware since 1963 rests in the midfield areas, he feels.

“I know Arsenal don’t particularly like playing against Blues, but if there’s one team I wouldn’t like to face it would be Arsenal, to be honest with you,” he admitted.

“Why? The way they play. They stretch everything, the pace of Theo Walcott, the passing, the big open spaces at Wembley.

“When they came down to St Andrew’s in January and beat us 3-0 we gave them far too much respect. We didn’t get into them.

“I think that was something to do with what’s happened before between the teams.

“I don’t think the Blues players were scared to tackle, but for us to get anywhere near Arsenal, we have got to be competitive, be so well organised and restrict them to outside the box. As soon as they get in behind you, they hurt you.