Full width home advertisement

News

Fashion

Post Page Advertisement [Top]

ArsenalArsene WengerSports

Wenger And Arsenal's FA Cup Love Affair

Sports, Arsenal, Arsene Wenger,

The Frenchman can win the trophy for the sixth time on Saturday, with Aston Villa the only obstacle standing in his way, and few would argue against him emerging victorious


Wenger is hardly one for hyperbole, but to win the competition this weekend would send a significant message to his rivals. The Frenchman may still have his doubters – a third-place finish this season remains something of a disappointment, given the attacking riches within his squad – but he is a serial winner of the world's oldest cup competition.

He has, despite a gap of eight years between 2005 and 2013, simply worked out a way to win.

Prior to that 3-2 victory over Hull last season, Wenger's Arsenal defeated Manchester United, Southampton, Chelsea and Newcastle in their respective finals; they have lost a showpiece fixture under his guidance just once, to a Michael Owen-inspired Liverpool in 2001.

Wenger also acknowledges the importance of luck on such occasions. Taking 2005 as an example, the Frenchman deployed Dennis Bergkamp in a lone striker role against United in the absence of the injured Thierry Henry and the Gunners were dominated from start to finish.

United had 20 shots at goal. Arsenal had five. And yet Wenger emerged victorious, with Patrick Vieira scoring the decisive penalty in his final game for the club at the Millenium Stadium.

"The logic behind that, we had a passing team and that Dennis could combine well and keep the ball up front," Wenger told Arsenal's official website when quizzed on the final. "In fact, we were dominated in that game, we never got to Dennis, he was a bit isolated.

"I think I played with Vieira, Fabregas and Gilberto Silva in the middle of the park but they had Rooney and Ronaldo up front who were absolutely outstanding, Ryan Giggs, who was outstanding on the day, and we suffered. It's the final but it's basically a miracle that we have won it.

"We won it on penalties. What is symbolic in that game, it is the last kick of Vieira, with the penalty kick. He wasn't a penalty specialist but that's all in him there. He has the character on the day and it's the last kick for him for the club and it gets us the cup final. In 2005, to be completely honest, we could have lost 10 times on the day but we won it."

Source: Goal

No comments:

Post a Comment

Bottom Ad [Post Page]

Colorlib