This week Ray Parlour hosted The Citroen Pitch Event at the Emirates and before handing out the prizes, he got a chance to speak about our upcoming FA Cup final against Aston Villa.

The Arsenal legend was enthusiastic about our impending match at Wembley and, as Aaron Ramsey also said this week, believes a win in the cup final not only ensures more silverware, it gives us a great platform for a title challenge next season.

Speaking during the event, Parlour highlighted the importance of us scoring early and putting Aston Villa on the back foot from the get-go. He then went on to describe how a win can help us next season saying, “I know it’s the cup final but we want to be going in [to next season] winning games more than losing games so hopefully they can win the game.”

He continued, “[There’ll be] a great parade on Sunday and another trophy because that’s what they’re all about.”

On our title hopes for next season, the ex-midfielder added, “If we can go on next season and buy three or four new players then maybe we’ll be closer to the likes of Man City [and] Man United next year for the title.”

Later on, I got the chance to ask him the question that’s plaguing Gooners all over the world at the moment, who does he think will start on Saturday: Olivier Giroud or Theo Walcott?

“I think Giroud will start,” he answered.

However, when I pressed him for who he thinks should start, he stated: “Theo.”