Arsene Wenger may have been all calmness and composure on the outside as he prepared Arsenal to face West Brom in the last Premier League game of the season, but I bet the boss was secretly concerned about our recent results. After three home games without scoring a goal it looked like the Gunners had lost our ammunition at a crucial time of the season, so Wenger will be delighted today.
The Frenchman did say that he was confident that the goals would come but he also admitted in an Arsenal.com report how important it was for us to head to Wembley in good form, and producing the sort of football that has seen Arsenal as the in-form team since the turn of the year. He spoke about the fluency and effectiveness as a somewhat elusive thing that cannot be turned on and off like a tap, so you knew that he was really desperate for us to get back to winning ways.
Wenger said before the game, “Every season we have had to focus until the last minute. So sometimes you would like to play a game where there is no pressure. But finally when you have one, you get bored, so at least we have to keep the concentration and it’s better.
“When you switch off it’s always difficult to switch on again. You always think ‘OK we’ll switch on’, but it’s not like that. When you switch off it is always difficult to switch on again, it’s not like when you switch on a light.”
The fact that we scored four very good goals then will be a real boost ahead of the FA cup final, and with West Brom under Tony Pulis being renowned for their defending should erase any doubts that the players may have had about our scoring power.
Was that game the perfect way for the Gunners to prepare for Wembley?
FA cup is as big as premiere league. Don’t belittle Arsenal’s achievement over the season. They have been brilliant. 2 FA cups 1 Charity Shield in 2 years is very good streak. Club is back to glory road. Those who say FA cup is small competition, don’t know football at all. Oldest competition in the world is precious. Man United, Chelsea Fans can FK themselves for calling it a small competition. Tell them to win it if its a competition. Don’t ‘sore grape’ lyk deluded MOFOs..
For Chelsea even the Carling cup is huge. Fa cup is a major trophy, I feel we are still not totally switched on yet, it will be a close encounter. If we win this it would be a damn good couple of seasons. And don’t forget the community shield match with Chelsea..can’t wait for the final
Aston Villa injury list: (1) Shay Given (Groin). (2) Jores Okore, CB (unfit). (3) Kieran Richardsonm (Calf) (4) Matt Lowton (knock)
Team News: (1) Okore will be unfit on FA Cup final. (2) Charles Nzogbia covering LB (3) Jed Steer cup tied for final (pheww!)
Main Threats: (1) Benteke 15 goals this season (2) Fabian Delph and Tom Cleverly on midfield (3) Gabby Agbonhalor pace on the wings
They finished 17th this season, they will be hungry to win a trophy to cover the 3.5 million they lost for finishing 17th. Sanchez and Ozil needs to make the most of this final!
On the other side, we’ve some key players who are fully fresh. I think Wilshere and Theo should make the most for us. When entire teammates looking to over burn, those two guys are full of gasoline and ready to explode. WBA game as an example. The rest of the team, should kept their concentration once last time. COYG!!!