When the dust finally settles on the career of Arsene Wenger as the manager of Arsenal, whenever that may be, the Frenchman and we Arsenal fans will have many things to look back on, both good and bad, but surely the oldest cup competition in football will have a special place in those thoughts.
Even if the Gunners do not go on to follow up today’s FA cup semi-final win over Man City by beating Chelsea in the final, Wenger will still be tied as the manager with the most wins, but if he and the lads can actually lift the trophy then he will be the top with seven. That would also put Arsenal one better than Manchester United with 13 in total.
Just the fact that Arsenal are in it and our season still has hope of silverware could be huge for the boss and it is not the first time the FA cup has come to his rescue. The same is true of the team, though, with the current players perhaps winning nothing without it.
Remember how much the football media banged on about the trophy drought? Remember how it seemed to be a mental block for us until a few years ago when Ramsey completed the comeback against Hull City?
So once again the competition has been kind to Arsenal and I wonder if it could have even more to give us, because that dogged performance against Man City today may have revived more than Wenger’s career. Gunners like Ramsey, Gabriel and especially Oxlade-Chamberlain should be feeling great tonight after their future at Arsenal was being questioned.
Everyone connected with Arsenal owes a big thank-you to the FA cup, that’s for sure, but can it save us once again?
Bob.