Bradford City v Arsenal: Uncertainty over Arsenal line-up means Duke will rely on instincts

That way, the Sheffield-born 35-year-old could have ensured he is fully up to speed in case 120 minutes of football fails to separate Bradford City and the Gunners in tonight’s Capital One Cup quarter-final.

The reality, however, has been rather different with the uncertainty surrounding the Premier League side’s line-up having made his usual preparations impossible. Instead, Duke has had to be content with making sure his own penalty-taking skills are in order – just in case he is called into action.

“We just don’t know what the Arsenal team will be like,” explains Duke, the hero of the last round as Premier League Wigan Athletic were beaten on penalties, one of eight straight shoot-out triumphs for City in a phenomenal run that stretches back to 2009.

“That makes it difficult. On a normal Saturday, I’d probably be able to study a DVD or know what the lad is going to do because it would be a league game and I’d be used to playing against them.

“But we just don’t know what team they will put out. It could be their strongest one because Arsenal want to win some silverware. Having said that, I am also sure they will make some changes – meaning it is pretty much a lottery what the team will be.

“That would mean studying about 15 different players. So, it is going to be one of those where a ’keeper just goes with how he feels on the night. Unless (Mikel) Arteta takes one, as I know (from last Saturday when Arteta scored twice from the spot) that he goes down the middle.

“Just go with your instincts. That’s all you can do. I have been involved in a few shoot-outs with other clubs over the years, and my record is a bit hit and miss.

“But in terms of ’keepers, they are a win-win situation. You save one, like I did at Wigan, and you become a hero, while all the pressure is on the strikers.”

Asked if he would be ready to step up and take a spot-kick if required, Duke replied: “Funnily enough, I did take a couple this afternoon in training. But I once took one for Burton in the league. And I’ll leave that there.”

If City do take Arsenal to penalties, it will be a huge achievement. Nevertheless, when a team boasts a spot-kick record as impressive as Bradford’s, it is also something that cannot be ignored.

Duke added: “If a game does go to penalties, we probably would be favourites. But I couldn’t tell you why, other than we’ve been in a few penalty shoot-outs as a team and done well.

“I’ve done some, and Jonny (McLaughlin, City goalkeeper) has done a few, and it has just come down to what happens on the night. I always fancy saving one out of five as a ’keeper, I’d be disappointed if I didn’t, to be fair.

“So, it is then down to the lads taking them. To be fair, the quality of the penalties has been fantastic.”

Tonight’s tie is, without doubt, City’s most glamorous assignment since the club’s two-year stay in the Premier League either side of the new Millennium dawning.

As a result, the national media descended on the club’s training ground yesterday along with the Capital One Cup, which Will Atkinson and Carl McHugh later took to Bradford Royal Infirmary to show off to patients.

Duke, who made 21 Premier League appearances for Hull but was on the bench for all five league and cup meetings with Arsenal, said: “Everyone is looking forward to it now we have got the more important league games out the way.

“It should be a nice night for everyone to enjoy. We have done fantastically well to get this far, while Arsenal are a great side. They could put a reserve team out and still be an amazing team.

“Personally, it will be nice to give something back to the fans. They have been down in the dumps for a few years, especially with the club having fallen from the Premier League to League Two. That is not the story you want.

“But for the Arsenal game, we will have a full ground and, hopefully, we will have a great night and do ourselves justice.”

Arsene Wenger’s squad will make the trip north in confident mood after netting 13 goals in their two Capital One Cup ties of the season.

First, League One Coventry City were thrashed 6-1 at the Emirates before the tie of the competition so far saw Arsenal hit back from 4-0 down to triumph 7-5 at fellow top-flight outfit Reading.

Considering both games saw Wenger field very much second string XIs, Bradford will clearly have all on tonight to keep the rampant Londoners at bay.

Asked about the scoring exploits of Arsenal, Duke said: “We just have to hope it doesn’t continue. There is no doubting their quality, not when they have scored six and seven in their last two (League Cup) games. Maybe, we should say we’ll take five.

“Seriously, though, this is a night that takes us away from the league and it will be a pleasure to be on the same pitch as Arsenal.

“Throughout their squad, they have got quality and internationals. It says a lot when they go to a Premier League team (Reading) and score seven.

“That tells you all you need to know about the task we have got ahead of us.

“It was an unbelievable comeback in the last round. Not many teams come from 4-0 down and to score seven against any opposition is a great effort.”

Before joining Bradford in 2011, Duke spent seven years with Hull and was on the bench as understudy to Boaz Myhill when Phil Brown’s side stunned Arsenal with a 2-1 triumph at the Emirates thanks to goals from Daniel Cousin and Geovanni.

Duke added: “It can be done but we’re just going to turn up, do our best and hopefully do ourselves proud.

“And then we can use the experience to drive us on in the league, which is the priority this season.”