Cameron Jerome is gunning for Wembley

Sharpshooter Cameron Jerome today declared himself ready to gun down Arsenal.

The hitman has shrugged off an ankle problem, and the arrival of Obafemi Martins, to set his sights on glory in Sunday's Carling Cup final.

Jerome is facing a battle to start with Martins and Nikola Zigic after being benched for the last two Premier League games.

But he insists there are no hard feelings towards boss Alex McLeish and he has rediscovered his sharpness in time for Blues' first major Wembley final for 55 years.

"The gaffer pulled me to one side and said I looked as if I had lost a bit of my sharpness," said the former Cardiff star, who has scored four goals this term.

"I'm well aware there is competition for places in the team. I took it with a pinch of salt really.

"It did me well to sit on the sidelines for a couple of games, get myself right and then come back into it and come on in the latter stages and make an impact, which I've done the last couple of games.

"It is healthy for the squad if there is more competition and Obafemi is a good player. It's only going to help."

Martins arrived on loan from Rubin Kazan last month and netted his first goal in the FACup victory over Sheffield Wednesday — leaving him in pole position to start on Sunday.

But with Blues 14th in the Premier League, just three points off the drop zone, Jerome admits they needed the extra injection of quality.

"With the relegation battle we are in at the moment, the gaffer has strengthened in the right areas," he said, after McLeish also brought in Curtis Davies from Villa.

"He has got a striker, a central defender which we needed, and David Bentley on loan. All in all, the lads can't be too beat up about people coming in and taking their places.

"It's up to them to make sure they train and, when they perform, it's up to them to keep the shirt."

The 24-year-old admitted, though, the team are sweating on McLeish's line-up ahead of Sunday.

He said: "Obviously, that's going to be a long wait. Everyone is going to be anxious about whether they are going to be picked.

"As players, you've just got to train to the best of your ability."

Jerome accepts the Gunners will be favourites to triumph but he is hoping Arsenal's recent lack of honours, plus their demanding programme in searching for silverware on four fronts, will take its toll.

Jerome added: "Will the lack of trophies put pressure on them? I think it is going to.

"They are overwhelming favourites and everyone is writing us off outside of our camp. That is going to add the pressure on them.

"They are in a lot of competitions so hopefully we can catch them slipping.

"Are there too many balls for Arsenal to juggle? Possibly. I think Arsene Wenger would prefer to get a trophy.

"He is definitely going to go for it, it's a major cup final."