Every single Arsenal fan in the world was immensely proud of the way OUR team completely dominated the FA Cup Final against Aston Villa from kick off to the final whistle, but can you imagine how it must felt to be Arsene Wenger, seeing HIS team retain the trophy with such an elegant display?
It was a record breaking performance that saw Arsenal win for the twelfth time, and Wenger himself was manager for half of those victories. “I’m very proud of that because if it has not been done, it shows that it is not easy.” Le Prof said. “All of us want to achieve things that are difficult. It’s great for the club as well because we’ve won it 12 times, more than any other club. Personally, I’ve played in seven finals and won six, so I am very proud of that.”
And did he think that this was the best performance out of the six? “I don’t really know but it was a convincing one because we were at it from the first until the last minute. I never felt that the focus dropped or that the quality dropped. Overall it became comfortable in the end, but we missed some chances in the first half. On top of that we had two important moments. We scored just before half-time and just after half-time, and of course that was too much for Villa with the quality we had today.”
“I am very happy, very proud and absolutely thrilled because we won the FA Cup but the performance was there as well,” Wenger continued. “The quality of the performance was outstanding today and it was a good advert for the FA Cup because we played in a very convincing way. I cannot fault one player – everyone was absolutely outstanding.
“We started strong, stayed strong and finished strong. That is what you ideally want but you do not always get it, but today we got it.
“I think it shows as well that this team has moved forward since the beginning of last season. We are now a much more mature team, who knows its way and plays as well fantastic football.”
So does he believe that Arsenal now have the right team to go on and win the League next season? “Of course we can push on. Why not?” he gushed. “We have won the league in the past when we’ve had the potential to do it and that’s what we want to do again.
“We want to show that we can match anybody next season but we don’t know how good the other teams will be. It is about consistency at the top level and we have shown signs of consistency. In the past when we have won leagues, we have been consistent. We didn’t lose for 49 games. Nobody else has done it. When we have a good confidence level and the quality, we can be consistent.”
Wenger is now close to instilling that Invincibles feeling on the players, and they are definitely getting closer to being nigh on unplayable. The club as a whole has finished the season on a fantastic high and can return full of confidence to start winning right from the word ‘GO’ in the next campaign.
Onwards and Upwards!
One piece of the orchestra we missed yesterday. Mozart Rosicky. I really felt for this loyal servant not being involved even as a sub and don’t know why? He had never let us down whenever he played, saw him in one of the pics yesterday and he was looking a bit down.
Competition is only going to get tougher if we get 2-3 of the players we are linked with. No llace is guaranteed.
We have improved indeed but there is still room for improvement starting with summer acquisitions.
Competition or strength in depth = No sentimentality or fan faves getting guest appearances. Apparently Ox was getting fidgety with a couple of minutes to go and was encouraged by Arteta to strip off to come on without Wenger calling for him! Thats class. Imagine the in-fighting and frustration on here if we add another 2 or 3 top class signings – there will be quite a few loyal squad members and young guns getting little more than LC action. We’re probably not used to it – hasn’t happened for a while now.
Every player after yesterday’s game pretty much said the same thing. They all deem pretty focused and determined to push on for the title next season.
I think injuries really did destroy our season you look at the quality we had in the team yesterday the bench was really strong and there were still players like Arteta, Rosicky, Debuchy, Welbeck, Chambers, Gnabry & Martinez not even on the bench. Injuries (fingers crossed) should improve next season shad Forsyth said it would take up to a year to improve things and they really do seem to have improved in the second half of the season less injuries and players returning quicker once injured. You can’t completely stop injuries it’s the nature of the game. Time will tell if it’s just a coincidence or if things are really improving. I think we still need a couple of players in key areas to make sure we have enough quality at all times even if players are out injured or lacking form.
I also think it’s time for all fans just to get behind the team stop writing players off if they have a bad game. Get behind the manager he’s showing he’s still very capable. I honestly believe he’s still got premier league titles in him and capable of pushing for the champions league. He’s building a very special team. He made some big decisions in the FA cup Welbeck gains Man U Walcott in the final and they paid off so well done to Wenger.
**OT
Big ups to Kell Brook and Anthony Joshua on their wins. Well done sons…
Yes but had to laugh at Johnson being touted as Joshua’s “toughest” opponent to date. Bookies had AJ at 1/100 to win!!
Everything is moving in the right direction. Already signing 2 more french talents from Lens, add to the young talent we have, of which Bellerin Gibbs and Wilshire have come through.
Wenger has added another honours and the crys for his sacking from pigeons go back into there hole.
Money is available and top talent is on the agenda. If you are one of the best players around,wanting to be apart of a project with creativity, harmony and style, than come to Arsenal.
Couldn’t agree more any top players on the move this summer really do have to consider Arsenal. We might not be quite as big as clubs like Madrid and Barca but we’re not far behind were on the up all our players get treat with respect unlike Madrid and if you come in and preform well you’ll be adored by the fans. If you come in and be part of the new arsenal and help us win big silverware you’ll be given god like status you wouldn’t get at other clubs.
Time to show London what a proper Trophy parade is.
I think wat we really need now is striker that can shoot frm were Sanchez did it yesterday ….coyg we can do it champagne is ma target
You have to ask why we “really need” a striker that can shoot like Sanchez when we have a striker who can shoot like Sanchez – Sanchez.
@AlanFrank
Any players on the move would also be aware as to how tough it’s going to be to break into the starting 11 of either Barca, Real or Bayern. And unless they’re just looking for a big payday, then AFC is the team to come to in England…
Yes I agree I do also agree were the team to come to in England Man U in some areas they seem to have too many options and in other not enough the balance of there team doesn’t seem to quite work. Chelsea for all the players that will say mourinho is the best coach ever there are as many who would disagree and a lot of top players he just doesn’t seem to know how to use I.e. Mata, de Brurne, schurrle Gudrado Sarah that would make me think twice about Chelsea. I think we’ve got good balance now obvious areas that still could be improved and maybe a couple of players who could move on I.e. Rosicky and Flamini with Rosicky I love him but I can’t see him getting much game time and I think Wenger will always go for players who are the future over him unfortunately not denying he’s quality but maybe time to move on.
@AlanFrank
Exactly. I was thinking the same thing about Chelsea. Even though they’re the EPL Champs, one would have to think twice about how they value their players.
I would also slot in Soton and Swansea as the teams beside us, who are striving to build on balance and stability instead of going after the”quick money fix”
Woke up this morning with a smile on my face still…. Feels good to win the FA Cup back to back. Now we can hope for more trophies (EPL, FA and even Champions league). Step by step, we will achieve it. Guys, remember when we had players like RVP, Adebayor, Nasri, Fabregas, Clichy, Aluminia and the likes. Relatively good players but didn’t win anything with them. Ozil left Madrid for Arsenal, Sanchez left Barcelona for Arsenal. They believe in wenger (whether we like It or not). They came to Arsenal when the media were saying Arsenal were going down and why will players leave Barca/RealM for us. Well, we got 2trophies or 3trophies (if you add Community Shield) in 2Years.. That gives mi joy. We can only believe and hope for better days….We don’t just play good football’, But we make history and make neutrals love our style. Thank You Arsenal, Thank You Arsenal Fans…#Keeping the Faith
Is Prince Williams a spud or a chelsea fan?
He looked really annoyed whenever arsenal scored.
Aston Villa fan, you got to feel for them but they were totally nullified in all areas.
@No10
The look on his face yesterday said a lot…He should have listened to his GrandMa…
time for wenger to move on!!
we need a better manager to lead us to glory…
How about after 7 FA cups wins?
New day same comment. Like who? Who do you really want? Would they be available? What would they bring?
I suggest you find the manager you like then go support the team there managing at the moment.
ADMIN get rid of this jerk for next season.
@AlanFrank
Check and Mate…
Podolski sounds like he’s on the way out, heard rumours it’s for 9million and it’s to galatasaray! Wouldn’t be a bad bit of business if true!
@arsenal369
9 mil towards his replacement…
Sometimes I wonder if HafiZ is an Arsenal Fan. Dude never seems to be happy even when we are celebrating a trophy. I respect your opinion but please take some chill pill and be happy with the team. If you sack Wenger now, tell mi who you want to replace Him? Am waiting……When Wenger leaves or retires, the new manager will benefit a lot from what Wenger has done. He is building a great core.. Tired of Wenger out out out. Some fans are really fickle.
Fantastic Result & Achievement by all the guys.
We now have the most FA Cups and the only back to back successes. Making history again!
Let’s push on by getting the players we need, releasing the players we don’t, sorting the injury situation and really challenging for the title.
COYG!
Unplayable? I’m not so sure. We encountered inferior teams towards the end of the season who knew *exactly* how to play against us at the Emirates. We let Swansea and Sunderland have points off us in exactly the same manner (when we were chasing 2nd place) and I think in order to kick on and win the title, Wenger clearly needs more pressure on him at board level to adapt to playing against teams who park the bus and play on the counter. If that means sitting back and drawing them out of their 18 yard line at the Emirates, then so be it!
He has shown that he can and will change things up when the pressure comes raining down on him from all angles, like the defensive masterclass away at Man City which surprised and pleased us all in equal measures. But to win titles you need to act quicker than that, and he showed good decisiveness to bring in Walcott and pit up up against the slower Ron Vlaar, who may well have taken better care of Giroud. To win titles, we need decision making from Wenger like this for the majority of the season and he needs to be under pressure to be as decisive as this all year round. Of course he’ll make the odd misjudgement, but letting excuses and stubbornness reign supreme caused the type of mishap that plagued the first half of our season.
Wenger is the right manager to manage this group of players in this era, but MORE SO with a sufficient amount of pressure on him to flex and adapt and treat each match as an absolutely individual encounter, which he can do if he wants to. He has shown he *can* be as good a shrewd tactician as anyone without losing any of that fluency that makes us so good to watch and sets us apart from the other top sides.
If Arsene works to his own potential, expect titles or very near misses at worst.
Anyway, don’t want to spoil our pleasure at yesterday’s thumping of the Villa!
For what’s it worth Arsenal won the match at half-time and looks on the faces of Villa showed how much Hull city wanted it versus the Villans. Arsene Wenger may not strengthen at all this summer considering the situation regarding players whom he may expect to put up a better start next season which is somewhat yet unjustified. Arsenal have to sign Vidal,martinez and Cech to see the BPL coming to the Emirates as the likes of Wilshere,Walcott,Giroud have not lasted to prove anything the league due to injury,clear-cut chances or even performance.
Lets hope that Arsene Wenger does not plan next on the merits of F.A CUP FINAL but the whole Season of 2014-15
Next season we need to win the treble, so we can laugh at everyone… and then just win the league and FA cup 5 more times in a row.