Can Arsenal end a nine-year trophy drought in Saturday’s English FA Cup final against Hull City?
The match starts at 5pm Nigerian time in Wembley.
The pressure is on Arsenal ahead of the game because of its clear favourites tag and the quality of players expected to be on duty for the Arsene Wenger side on Saturday evening.
Interestingly, it was in this tournament back in 2005 that the north London club secured their last piece of silverware, when they beat Manchester United on penalties.
The win against the Tigers today could bring back Arsenal’s lost glory.
The “Gunners” have since lost two League Cup finals (in 2007 and 2011) and were beaten by Barcelona in the 2006 Champions League final.
Probably, the most painful defeat was in the 2007 Carling Cup final when Wenger‘s men surprisingly lost to Birmingham City. Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and centre-half Laurent Koscielny howler gave Alex McLeish’s side their first piece of silverware since 1963. Substitute Obafemi Martins’ 89th minute strike separated the two sides.
Arsenal started the season on a bright note, raising hope of the club’s supporters that they could challenge for the English Premier League title, but floundered as the season entered home stretch. But as usual, the club secured Champions League football for a 17th consecutive season.
Wenger is quite aware of the fans’ expectation on Saturday and has expressed confidence that the pressure of the club’s nine-year trophy drought will not derail his side against Hull City.
“No matter what the result is, this club — and this is always most important — can deal with the consequences of any game,” Wenger said.
“What is important is that we come out of the game and have the feeling that we gave absolutely our best, our total energy to play at our best, and then you always accept the consequences.
“No matter how much we talk about it, you can win and lose, but you want to come out of the game feeling you have done the maximum to win and that is what we want to achieve.”
Should Arsenal leave Wembley without the FA Cup, the questions will rise again about whether he can ever regain the touch of a decade ago, and whether he has lost the ability that came as second nature after he arrived at Highbury in September 1996.
Wenger has shown every indication of extending his stay as Arsenal manager, dismissing rumoured interest from former club Monaco. But how would such disappointment sit with him and a passionate fan base desperate for trophies rather than the consolation of a top-four place in the Premier League?
If Arsenal wins, however, Wenger has every right to paint the season as a successful one.
20 years to the week since lifting the FA Cup as captain of Manchester United, memories of that illustrious day still burns as intensely as ever for Hull’s boss Steve Bruce.
In an illustrious playing career which also yielded three Premier League titles, European Cup Winners’ Cup and Super Cup honours, Bruce admits his three FA Cup winners’ medals – the latter as a non-playing squad member in 1996 – have an extra-special place.
During his nine years as a player with Manchester United he prepared for the FA Cup final on no fewer than four occasions in six years. Wins came in 1990 and 1994 before defeat followed in 1995. A year later he failed to make the cut as United beat Liverpool.
Bruce relishes the role of underdog against ‘mighty Arsenal’ ahead of the encounter and an FA Cup final against Arsenal, the biggest fixture of his managerial career.
“It’s just dawned on me that we’re here,” said Bruce, surveying the room.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to win it before but to go as a manager I never thought that would be possible. I’m going to enjoy the occasion and take a deep breath. There can’t be anything better than what we’re about to go through.”
“It can be over in a blur,” said Bruce, offering early words of advice. “Not many of them are married but I told the players it’s a bit like your wedding day. Before you know it, you’re married and before you know it, the FA Cup final’s gone.
“That’s what it was like for me. You’ve got to try to grasp the occasion and enjoy it. If you’re not careful, it just goes past you.
“The memories of the FA Cup are the ones you cherish, when you’ve finished your playing career. The ones you really remember are your FA Cup days and believe me, it’s far better when you’ve won one than when you’ve lost one.
“I’ve experienced losing but more importantly I’ve experienced winning, so let’s hope it’s our day.”
Arsenal finished the season fourth on the table while Hull City ended 16th in the Premiership table.
