Birmingham winger Sebastian Larsson admits he had the "best football education I could have had" as a youngster with Sunday's Carling Cup final opponents Arsenal.
Larsson left the Gunners five years ago to join Blues in pursuit of regular first team football and has no regrets over that decision.
The Sweden international retains a lot of affection for his former club but that will be put to one side as City look to spring an upset.
Larsson said: "Arsenal is a club that means a lot to me, definitely. I had five great years there. It was the best football education I could have had so I will always be grateful for that.
"I always want Arsenal to win and do well - apart from when they play us, including Sunday, of course. I have played against them a few times now and it's not like I played 100 games for their first team.
"But, like I said, it is a club that means a lot of me."
