Kevin Whitcher
Well where on earth did that come from? The defensive resilience, the commitment, the determination. Where has this been for 90% of the season? So the players do have it in them. The next question is why the hell didn’t we see any of this against the likes of West Brom and Crystal Palace? Do we put it down to the new formation? The manager telling the players he is here for another two years so if you want to remain in my well-rewarded squad, you’d better start performing or it’s a case of #NoNewContract for you, sonny? Who knows?
The margins between success and failure can be narrow and let’s not pretend the Gunners have not enjoyed fortune in the cup in recent years, especially in the draw, and at Wembley yesterday, Lady Luck was wearing a red and white shirt. City hit the woodwork twice, had a good goal disallowed due to a linesman’s error, lost David Silva to injury in the first half and really should have equalized in the break that led to Fabian Delph’s shot being deflected by Hector Bellerin.
Still, it’s goals that count, and Arsenal’s came from the two players that combined on the left hand side of the team’s 3-4-3 formation, Monreal and Sanchez. There were some excellent performances from all of the back three, especially Holding and Gabriel, and both wing backs. Aaron Ramsey, though guilty for the loss of possession that led to City’s goal, was otherwise far better than we have seen him for an long time. The goal did raise question marks about the decision making of Petr Cech, and there seems a good case for the club to invest in a new keeper this summer, as he has not enjoyed his best of seasons.
Anyway, after a goalless first half in which Arsenal seemed content to give City possession, the game sprang into life after the interval. Wenger’s team pressed higher up the pitch and City were on the backfoot, their goal a breakaway. After that, for once the team did not buckle and worked their way back into the game thanks to a fantastic cross from the Ox that was met brilliantly by Monreal doing exactly what a wing back needs to. It was encouraging to see him play so well after much speculation that his best was a distant memory.
Olivier Giroud was one player who did not have a good match, and Arsenal looked much better when he was removed for Danny Welbeck. The team had more speed and movement and City’s defence struggled to cope with it. At the other end, they hit the woodwork twice and you got the feeling Arsenal’s name might be on the cup.
Extra time saw Sanchez net the winner after Koscielny headed a corner back across goal, Welbeck could not connect properly and the Chilean stabbed it home. Cue ecstasy in the red and white half of Wembley. They held on, although there could have been more goals at either end.
So a good afternoon, and something to look forward to at the end of the season. It shouldn’t change the bigger picture. If Arsene Wenger does win a record breaking seventh FA Cup, he should use it as the opportunity to step down on a high. In truth, it was a close game that Arsenal won purely because at the key moments, their finishing came good.
I am certain we will see the new formation used for the remaining seven Premier League matches, where Arsenal can afford to drop very few points if they are to have any hope of getting into the Champions League next season. But, the game is about trophies. Give me an FA Cup and a Europa League next season over a fourth place and a last 16 exit next March. The top four does not matter until Arsenal have a manager who can take on the best over two legs. I’ve seen too many false dawns under Arsene to be kidded by this one.
Let’s hope that the team play with equal determination in the final and end a season that has seen so many bad moments on a high.
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