It would have been an absolute disaster if Arsenal hadn’t beaten Sutton yesterday and also if weren’t to beat Lincoln in the next round. Assuming that the Gunners win against another non-league side, Arsenal would then find themselves in the semi-finals, with a trip to Wembley a date in the diary. A semi final, and a chance to go all the way in the competition, would bring light to what has suddenly turned into yet another disappointing season in the space of a few weeks. Yet even though another FA Cup win would be something to celebrate, it will be disappointing to notice that we still haven’t made a lot of progress after looking to build upon the side’s 2014 win.
It could also be made worse if the Gunners league form continues to drop, something that pundit Graeme Souness believes is quite possible. Souness said: “Their top-four spot is under real threat and this is where it could get ugly. The fans will turn on the players and manager unless there is an immediate revival. Another FA Cup win, which is quite possible, would feel like a hollow joke if they failed to qualify for the Champions League. That’d be the wrong way for Wenger’s Arsenal career to end.”
If the Gunners were to win the FA Cup once again, it would be a good way for Wenger to end his association with Arsenal. Regardless of whether you continue to support Wenger or not at this current moment, we will all surely like the Frenchman to leave the club on a high, rather than be full of disappointment. However if the Gunners were to miss out on the top four this season, regardless of our FA Cup results, it would be a very sorry end to Arsene Wenger at Arsenal and one that is likely to take precedent over much of the work he has achieved with the Gunners.
Although being beaten by a non-league side isn’t anticipated, Arsenal being Arsenal never fails to surprise us. As for Souness suggesting the Gunners could miss out on a top-four spot, of course there’s every chance it’s possible, and I agree it would be a very sorry finish to Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal career. However of course there’s still a number of games to go in the league and a lot will change in the table between now and the end of May.
By AH