Having won the FA Cup more than any other modern manager, it’s clear that Arsene Wenger is fond of the famous old competition.
It broke the trophy drought in 2014 with a 3-2 win over Hull, and the Gunners retained the cup the following year beating Aston Villa 4-0 making little Timmy Sherwood look like the young lad who walked in to see his first girlfriend getting off with his brother.
Those wins came on top of triumphs in 1998, 2002, 2003 and 2005 to make the Frenchman joint record holder with Aston Villa’s George Ramsay who won the same number between 1887 and 1920.
And as Arsenal get ready to face Preston at Deepdale on Saturday, Wenger’s motivation is high again.
“It is a big priority for us,” he said. “We have shown historically that we care about it, and it is a massive competition for everybody.
“To win the FA Cup is always a target each year. We know as well that after a congested Christmas period that the third round is always a tricky game.
“That is why I believe it is a mental challenge for the Premier League teams to prepare well and not have a bad surprise – especially when you go to a Championship team, as it is always difficult.”
And on the cup still maintaining some of its stature as a major achievement, he continued, “It’s a special occasion, a special trophy and in every single country, everybody dies to win the cup.
“I believe it’s still the same in England. Maybe in the past it was even more important because the European Cup wasn’t as important, but it’s a special occasion for me.”
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is it just me or, whenever I read Arsene’s comments, I read them in his accent…
Everyone does.
Win it then, again and again please……
Its the only trophy he has a chance then he will be given a 3 year contract worth millions he will tell us next summer we have a top class squad and the mentality to win the league wouldn’t get away with this with any other team
And thats not the managers fault. The board sets him targets for the season, he keeps achieving them. He is good at his job. You as the fan set a target of winning every game 5-0 and conquering all before you, but the board sets a different set of targets… top 4 finish to ensure the champs league $$$ continue to roll in, and runs in the champs league and FA cup. He achieves that every year. People should be directing their anger towards the board. Supporting Arsenal is not about winning, you will be a dissappointed fan if thats… Read more »
So we and wenger and board should be happy with top 4 god dam it he has players of the caliber of cheq bellerin kos mustafi monreal santi xaki ozil Sanchez and your telling me he is a great manager to get in to top 4 stop smoking that shite
Can we bake it and eat it though?
My point is that Arsene does what the board asks. I find it irresponsible (or indeed a bit uneducated) that people put the blame squarely at the feet of the manager rather then voicing thier dislike towards the board. The board sets the agenda. Arsene meets that agenda. How is he at fault? In your standard workplace of you meet the expectations of your employer then you dont get laid off. I just feel that supporters need to be realistic and accept that as long as Arsene and the team meet the KPI’s put down by the board then sfa… Read more »
Blogs, is mugsmasher your old or younger brother?
With the league looking a long-shot, the FA cup is the best chance for silverware and winning it would a good taste at the end of the season.
I kinda presumed younger
Guys, I know how we can win the Premier League this season. Obviously, we can’t lose any more games. We can draw 5 more times, and preferably, against the other top five teams. And then, of course, beat everyone else. That’ll leave us with 85 points. Should be enough, no?!
I hope we get out of FA cup early and concentrate more on the league and Champions league.
Might help us to keep players fresh and hungry and most importantly uninjured.
what u think we got a chance of winning the champs leag even if we go out the fa cup early if that happends i buy u a drink sometime ha ha
This is the season
Do the double!! Coygs
We haven’t won anything for a long time…oh wait what is the FA cup?
Back to back you say? Most wins for any team in the PL? Wenger has won the most?
But I thought he is incapable of winning anything?
Maybe we should be thinking of the mickey mouse league cup instead of the prestigious trophy they call the FA cup?
😀
I’;m not sure why anyone would say the league is a ‘long shot’. Chelsea just shed points. They are no invincibles. Liverpool are only 3 points off. We are in the mix granted it will be challenging because yet again we are reliant on some teams to drop ahead of us and the competition is tough this season. But assuming we (and a big assumption of course but achievable) win 15 games to garner 45 points, that means 86 points which could be a possibility. The remaining 12 points could mean a feasible 2 more losses say and 3 more… Read more »
………………………..Giroud……………………….
Welbeck…………….Ramsey………………….Ox
………………Granit…………..Iwobi…………….
Monreal…….Holding…Mustafi………..Gabriel
……………………..Ospina………………………..
If Bellerin is fit, he starts otherwise give him a rest IMO.
Granit will need to play a really good game for us with Iwobi and Ramsey close by.
Unfortunate for Lucas to have a slight ankle issue. If he is OK, would be a great option to have (and like to see him again paired closer to Giroud in a 4-4-2, the pair seem to be working toward a very good understanding)
COYG
Arsene looks a bit like Father Ted in that pic
Ha. I think he seems to be thinking ‘The things I could have won if (fill in your favourite top 3 player-related regrets*) hadn’t happened’ since the last trophy.
* My top-three regrets: 1) The little boy in Van Persie’s man-womb, 2) Fabregas’ unfaithfulness deep in his DNA strain, 3) the thugs unleashed by Pulis, Allardyce & co.
Ospina
Gabriel mustafi holding monreal
Xaki Ramsey
Ox. Iwobi. Wellbeck
Giroud