 Nine days before the final , the two clubs faced each other in a league match at Highbury . With Arsenal unable to retain the title , having lost to Leeds United , manager Arsène Wenger rested several players , as did Southampton manager Gordon Strachan , whose team started without six of their first @-@ choice eleven . Winger Jermaine Pennant on his league debut scored a hat @-@ trick , as did Pirès , in a 6 – 1 win . Strachan believed the result had little bearing on their chances of winning the cup , noting : " There is little pressure on Southampton to lift the trophy . We were not expected to reach the final and have already clinched a place in the UEFA Cup . " Wenger accepted his team were " favourites " but expected " ... Southampton to be at their best against us because it will be a different team than the one we faced in the championship recently . " 
