FOOTBALL: ANDY GRAY CUP FINAL VERDICT: It's hoo-Ray for Arsenal but

ARSENAL are about to match Manchester United's historic hat-trick of Doubles thanks to a moment of magic from an unsung Englishman.

Everyone had been talking beforehand about the Frenchmen Thierry Henry and Sylvain Wiltord, the Dutchmen Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Dennis Bergkamp or even the Icelandic striker Eidur Gujohnsen being the stars who would decide the showdown in Cardiff.

But it was the home-grown Ray Parlour from Romford who turned the Final Arsenal's way with one magnificent swing of his right boot.

And it was an equally brilliant finish from Swedish striker Freddie Ljungberg that ensured the Cup returned to Highbury for the first time since 1998.

The goals were of a quality fit to win any Final, but I have to say that I was delighted for both scorers because they represent what is best about the Gunners' success story this season.

Parlour doesn't grab the headlines in the way that some of his more famous colleagues do but, for me, he perfectly epitomises the work ethic that runs throughout the Arsenal team.

And if any one player has fired Arsenal to the brink of the Double it just has to be Ljungberg.

Whenever Arsenal have threatened to wobble the Swedish star has delivered the goods.

Once again at the Millennium Stadium yesterday the man with the outrageous haircut did the business with another masterclass in finishing.

The Gunners may have shaded a poor first half but they were rescued by Parlour's stunning strike at a time when Chelsea were threatening to boss the match.

Twelve months ago Arsenal were much more impressive at the Millennium Stadium against Liverpool but then paid the price for not capitalising on Ljungberg's opener.

The misery of losing to those two late strikes from Michael Owen was burned into their memories and I was always convinced that they wouldn't repeat the mistakes of the previous year.

This time Arsene Wenger got his tactics spot-on, even if Arsenal started a lot more cautiously than they did against Liverpool.

The first half was tense, tight and frankly none too memorable.

Hasselbaink wasn't anywhere near match-fit and it was a gamble that backfired on Claudio Ranieri.

I have to say that Marcel Desailly was absolutely magnificent in the Chelsea defence and he did most to keep Arsenal's big-name attackers quiet in the first half. But once Parlour struck the game was over as a contest even though Arsenal, still haunted by the memory of what happened 12 months earlier, couldn't relax until Ljungberg's clincher.

Now Arsenal must go to Old Trafford for a match that is being billed as another Cup Final. Most observers seem to think that the second leg of the Double is now a mere formality with Arsenal five points ahead of Manchester United in the Premiership title race.

Arsenal will head north on Wednesday with their confidence sky- high after yesterday's triumph.

But they must play better than they did in Cardiff if they are to win the title in the defending champions' backyard.

They will find a wounded Manchester United side a more daunting prospect than Chelsea were yesterday.

The reality is that Arsenal can lose at Old Trafford and still lift the title by beating Everton at Highbury in their final game.

And my prediction is that their title celebrations will have to be put on ice.

Manchester United's Champions League defeat at Bayer Leverkusen will have fired Sir Alex Ferguson's players up and I think the Gunners might struggle to get anything out of this game.

United know that a victory will increase the pressure on Arsenal and leave them sweating on the final game against Everton.

But, even if Arsenal lose, I still believe the title will definitely be theirs on Saturday.

They made heavy weather of their last two home games, scoring in the last 15 minutes on both occasions, so I don't think you can call the Everton match a formality.

But the last time Arsenal clinched the title they beat Everton 4- 0 and they will be hoping that is an omen.

Apart from holding up Arsenal's title party, United will be desperate to get the three points to clinch second place and an automatic Champions League group place.

It's important for United to finish well and make sure they don't end up behind Liverpool and then have to play two qualifying ties for the Champions League.

I think this season's experiences will help Arsenal mature in next season's Champions League.

They were unlucky in Europe this season. The last-minute goal they conceded in Leverkusen was a real tragedy.

I feel they will be better prepared next season. Don't forget it took Sir Alex Ferguson several seasons to get things right at Champions League level.

Arsenal have had to cope with a lot of injuries this season and with a couple of close-season signings I think they will go further in Europe next season.

They have that first domestic trophy of the season in the Highbury cabinet - and the Premiership title that is bound to follow will bring added confidence.

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