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Curtis Davies has seen first-hand what it takes to “panic” Arsenal at Wembley, and now aims to be part of another shock.

The Hull captain, who faces the Gunners in Saturday's FA Cup Final, was at Birmingham in February 2011 when Alex McLeish’s men lifted the Carling Cup at the Gunners’ expense.

Blues won 2-1 with a last-gasp Obafemi Martins goal from a defensive mix-up to leave Arsenal still searching for their first silverware since 2005.

Davies was ineligible, having only joined Blues that January in a £3million switch from arch-rivals Aston Villa. But despite being cup-tied, he still got a club suit and was part of the celebrations that memorable day.

Now, he cannot wait to lead out the Tigers after being named player of the season for Steve Bruce’s promoted side - who secured Premier League safety and are guaranteed Europa League football next season as Arsenal qualified for Champions League football via the league.

He hopes the underdogs will again be able to exploit the pressure and expectancy on Arsene Wenger’s outfit.

(Image: Getty)

The 29-year-old defender told MirrorSport: “It will be another massive game and occasion. That Birmingham game was strange because I was a spectator. But it was a good experience and I was especially excited as if we won we would be in Europe next season.

“It is a coincidence to come up against Arsenal again and we know the shock Birmingham put on that day. The pressure is all on Arsenal again.

“Our goal at the beginning of the season was to stay in the Premier League. We are quite satisfied with how our season has gone but going into a cup final against Arsenal we are in it to win it.

“Arsenal fans will see this as a trophy they must win though. It would be different for them if they are going into a final against Man City or Chelsea. But they will see it as a must-win against us and it will be interesting how their players handle that.

“It has been that long without a trophy it might produce some nerves.”

Hull have lost to Arsenal twice this season without scoring - 2-0 at the Emirates in December and 3-0 at home last month.

But Davies added: “A Cup final is a bit different. We weren’t too bad against them recently, but Arsenal were clinical. We need to be more solid as a team.

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“We need to match their work-rate and effort and hopefully that will give us a foothold in the game. Hopefully it will go on long enough to cause them a bit of panic - like against Birmingham that year.”

Davies’ form has been a key factor in Hull booking another season in the top-flight.

But Bruce also credited his captain with turning around their semifinal against League One Sheffied United with an impromptu, inspirational half-time rollicking.

The Tigers trailed 2-1 at the break at Wembley after Stefan Scougall scored in the 44th minute just 120 seconds after Yannick Sagbo equalised.

Davies then let rip at the interval before Hull went on to win 5-3 with a rousing second half come-back.

He explained: “Hopefully I won’t have to do that again but I will if necessary. It wasn’t pre-meditated.

“I always try to jog in first to get my half-time drinks, so when the manager does his talk I am ready. I went in and spoke to a couple of the lads and because I had gone to get my drink I was standing up and just started letting it all go in front of everyone.

“I simply thought we hadn’t performed or even turned up basically. They were first to every first ball and every second ball too. They were winning everything, they were doing the dirty things better.

(Image: Michael Regan - The FA)

“But the more embarrassing thing was they were playing better football, too. That is what I said - but with a few more expletives in there!

“I said it is not good enough being out-played and out-fought by a League One team. I said we looked no-where near it. I am just glad there were no shrinking violets and it got the reaction I wanted.

“I have the bottle to say things when they need to be said. But even in our camp I am not sure people expected that from me. And I think that is why it got the reaction it did.

“I am normally calm and pick out individual players to gee them up. But because I let loose I think that is why it was more poignant.

“The lads were a bit taken back but as much as I expected a lot of banter for it afterwards, the lads haven’t said much about it.

“Hopefully it justifies the gaffer making me captain. When the effort and application isn’t right I will do it.”

But Davies isn’t expecting his team-mates to need any extra motivation on Saturday. This, after all, is the FA Cup Final.