Bacary Sagna: Arsenal are now playing without fear

Bacary Sagna insists Arsenal no longer play with fear or the burden of expectation and maintains the club are now ready to win their first trophy in six years.

Arsenal last tasted success in 2005 after winning the FA Cup but since then, Arsene Wenger’s side have failed to add build on that.

Despite the expectancy, Sagna feels Arsenal are ready to triumph over Birmingham City after having learned from their previous mistakes.

"We were scared, but we are not any more," Sagna told the club’s official website.

"We have been close to winning something but we got scared, we stopped playing and were waiting for the result to happen.

"During the past we have been a bit unlucky as well with injuries and had problems to deal with that.

"But we have learned from our mistakes and all the problems we had, now we are ready to win everything.

"We have not won anything for six years so it will be massive for the players, the fans and the club as well.

Despite their sustained Premier League title challenge every season, Sagna has admitted the lack of a tangible reward has been difficult to accept as an Arsenal player.

"Every year we have been really disappointed and it is hard to start the season knowing you could have won something in the past,” said the 28-year-old.

"But we have grown up as a team, we are wiser and now in the final. It has taken time, but we are on a good way to being successful.

"This is not the good way, you have to look forwards and to act. I hope Sunday will be a good way to show people we can win and go on to even more, to show we are very hungry."

Sagna has admitted he is now targeting trophies but has expressed his caution ahead of the tie against Alex McLeish’s side.

"This progression has come naturally because as a professional you always want to win something and be successful.

"Also, at the end of your career you want to be able to look back on your achievements. At the moment, there is not that much."

"Unfortunately, we have been so close to winning something but we didn't.

"Now we have the opportunity to win on Sunday, but it will not be easy because Birmingham want it as much as we do.

"Wembley is one of the most amazing stadiums in Europe and now we have the opportunity to show what we can do, that we can win trophies."