It is here, another FA Cup final for the mighty Arsenal. We’re going for number 14. Mikel Arteta is going for his first as a coach. The young players are going for their first-ever trophy. We have Europe on the line.
It’s different this year and it’s a shame. I’ve never missed an Arsenal FA Cup final. I usually go with my football family, we meet up, get drunk, celebrate or commiserate together, and then it’s a beautiful memory forever locked (even the losses can be fun after).
My Uncle, who is a Leeds fan said to me a few years ago that trophies were about parties. If you’re having a lot of parties, life is good, but if you’re not, then what’s the point?
Arsenal fans might not have had a lot of major-trophy parties of late, but we’re certainly advanced in FA Cup shindigs. This is our trophy, no one has won it as often as us. You feel something in the air whenever we head to Wembley. Wenger took these games very seriously, he loved the FA Cup, and I expect some of that has rubbed off on Arteta, who played as his captain in a winning side. Let’s hope Mikel has a similar relationship with the trophy.
Today is going to be tough, we’re not favourites which is unusual, and the squad of players we have available can be a little bit like that box of chocolates Forest Gump always bangs on about. You don’t know what you’re going to get. However, after thinking about it, under Mikel Arteta, it is more likely than ever that we’ll be picking out a chocolate that doesn’t have a sour liqueur hiding inside.
We’ve beaten United, Liverpool, and City this season. Both our Chelsea games, whilst not optimal, saw solid performances. We’ve had some very good away wins in 2020 as well. Arteta tailors a game plan to the match, the players understand it, and if there are no mistakes, we usually have a pretty good chance of making it very difficult for the other side.
I think we’ll see more of that today. There are rumours that Kieran Tierney is being considered as a centre back today, Ainsley is apparently getting the nod, then it’s with the gods how we set the team up from there.
This isn’t the same game as City or Liverpool. Chelsea has a pretty exciting collection of players that can move the ball through midfield. They play very attractive football at their peak, they are quick on the counter, and they can also pick apart a deep block. They have Olivier Giroud, say what you will about him, but he’ll be motivated, he’s a brilliant link-up striker, and he can score outrageous goals. Willian is in blistering form and along with Kante, is in the squad today.
Their weak spot is in defence. Frank Lampard teams often have a soft underbelly through the middle of the park, and this particular team has struggled with the goalkeeping position. Chelsea actually conceded more goals in the league than Arsenal this season, clocking in at a whopping 54. That is a massive opportunity if you can deal with them going forward. Tough to see how we bring exciting football to unlock their defence after bumming around without a #10 for so long, but we have seen glimpses of good play, particularly the first half against Leicester.
Our challenge is defence, individual errors, and in-game management. We don’t have Mustafi and in this squad, that’s a problem. He’s been huge for us under Mikel, bar a couple of games I think he was fatigued in. There aren’t many good options for us, but nor was there in 2017 when Per Mertesacker and Rob Holding put in a BEASTLY performance for us. The individual errors issue always lurks, our xG has been shocking this season in part because of that, the players know this, and they have to be at their best today to avoid being ‘that guy’ in a final. I also think Lampard has been adept at times at changing things up during the game. Arteta needs to make good decisions when that happens today because Chelsea has more from the bench than we do.
In Arteta’s first run out in the league, a game I attended, we were really unlucky. Callum Chambers picked up a nasty injury, then Frank made some smart changes from the bench and got quite lucky with Jorginho staying on the pitch. The second game we managed to rescue the game with Xhaka and Mustafi sitting on the bench. This is our third crack at Chelsea, arguably the most important on, we have to deliver. Lampard will come with something interesting tactically and we have to counter it, and then move fast to deal with whatever he does in the second phase of the game.
Moments like today define managers and projects. A trophy in your first season, whatever it is, can be absolutely huge. It builds trust from the players, it bonds squads, it builds rapport with the fans, creates forward momentum, and it’s just a beautiful feeling to know you’re on the right path.
This is massive.
Enjoy the game, have fun with your friends and families, let’s make some memories of a different kind today.
Big love from everyone at Le Grove, COME ON YOU GUNNERS xx
Fucking beautiful.
Oh YESSSSSSS!
I love my club!
Congrats Arteta and the players and staff.
COYG!
Also has to be mentioned bar the opening mins of the game Tierney did an absolute number on Mount.
Best way to end one of our worst seasons ever!
Dani and xhaka for me
Martinez the brave.
Auba the clinical.
Pepe the unpredictable.
Ceballos the fidget spinner.
Up the Arsenal. !!!!
Fantastic achievement.
14 FA cups. We should get to keep the trophy.
Victory!!!!!
The end of the beginning??
It’s the trophy and It will also help us land the likes of Partey. After the shitty season we have had, the only way is up.
14 is our lucky number
Was it just me or did anybody else notice Josh in the stands?
YEEEAASSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!
WHAT A DAY!
Great performance. Just a shame we couldn’t be kicking spuds out of the Uefa Cup
Martinez had been nothing short of inspiring in each game he has played..people will remember goals but no one will remember the important corner he came out for bravely and gathered safely towards the end..those kind of things are as important as goals! Ive got a man crush on the guy. Has to be number 1. Dont think ive ever felt so safe with any of our keepers ever.
Martinez definitely deserves to be No1. The fact that he catches any high balls on corners and set pieces really help the defense.
Massive day for team spirit and hooking the lads to the Arteta vision. Thrilled to have him leading the club into a new era
We should get to keep the trophy.
————————-
Especially after Auba dropped it!
Pedro
I hope you’re tethered to the ground.
Go easy on the Peronis tonight.
The commentators on ESPN are still belly aching about the red card
Too right, who’s this jock cunt spewing his guts up on the analysis? Fucking cunt. Swallow it like a five dollar crack wh0r3 you fucking jock wanker
andy1886August 1, 2020 18:40:14
The only downside – Pedro will be unbearable!! But we’ll live with it.
Haha
I fucking love arsenal!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BT Sport
“We will certainly be discussing the referee performance after the break”
Of course you will, some 50/50 decisions went Arsenals way!!
14 times!!
We beat Liverpool, City and Chelsea in FA
Who would have thought?
Still the biggest club in London. We’ve a bigger trophy than City quite something considering the season we’ve had.
In Sauce we trust.
Martinez a revelation been with the club 10 years.
A great result in a dodgy season.
European football.
Absolute fantastic result.
Come on you reds.
For the yanks …
Jock = Scottish, not some high school football playing turd eating fuckwit
Auba simply cannot leave us now….
Kamikaze performance
3 injuries
1 Send off
No prisoners
You know what lads I believe this summer we’ll continue to make strides. Got that gut feeling we might be turning a corner
Xhaka looked like an elite cultured central midfielder tonight.
He was full of guile and game management today.
Ha… Thanks Mob.. but I knew that… been hanging out here for too long.
And it’s The Arsenal!
Arsenal FC!!!
We’re by far the greatest team the world has ever seen!!!!
Saw Auba dropping the cup as soon as he picked it up awkwardly haha.
He might not live that one down.l but I doubt he cares!
He has also silenced the people who laughably claimed him to bottle the big games. He must stay.
Thinking of you young Gooners,many of you never lived AnfIeld 1989.Today was similar. I am so Happy.
In Sauce we trust
Lol! Love it …
The Sauce is the Boss! Long live the Sauce!
@Guns of SF
We beat Liverpool, City and Chelsea in FA
Who would have thought?
The Liverpool game was a league game.
As I predicted we would win.. and we did.
have faith comrades!
Kings of Wembley! You love to see it!
‘The Sauce is the Boss! Long live the Sauce!’
🤣🤣🤣
I love it that all the Liverpool luvin’ Tottenham tutting and Manchester worshipping pundits are sick to their teeth tonight… they can’t bring themselves to say Well done Arsenal…
Finish the season 8th but still finish with a major trophy!!!
Yes my bad…. but still!
Un na nai
Why don’t you tell us again how auba doesn’t show up in big matches. Plonker!
Quick question?
Surely Mesut Ozil is DONE at Arsenal.
There’s no coming back from this, is there?
Even the crocked players with crutches were in the stadium.
Today’s win means more money for Arsenal to spend. Even a semi final place in Europa means 30M of additional revenue.
Thinking of you young Gooners,many of you never lived AnfIeld 1989.Today was similar. I am so Happy.
Nah no way. 1989 will never be rivaled. We were ten years without a trophy (ignoring the league cup) and 18 years without a title. 1989 was awesome. I would compare it to that ‘87 league cup win over Liverpool though, that was a catalyst for the Graham years and a good crop of youngsters …
Guns of SFAugust 1, 2020 18:55:03
Auba simply cannot leave us now….
Can you imagine if he did? Arsenal would be a relegation team.
We need a ‘sign da ting’ campaign for Auba.
Spent the game texting with my brother-in-law in London. He’s a Chelsea fan, and even he thought we deserved to win!
Dissenter
Hope springs eternal.
For both the sake of the club and player.
Pedro
“‘The Sauce is the Boss! Long live the Sauce!’🤣🤣🤣”
Tonight, you are Don Pedro the prime minister of le-grovia.
You really by decree, all dissenters will be out to the sword.
Arsenal should just sign Dani permanently NOW, no need effing around with loan offer
That dope fiend cock sucker Rio sounds so butt-hurt. He just cannot stomach to give us any praise. What a fucking bitch.
I dont think he will leave us. I hope this was not his swan song!
His family seems happy in London, he seems happy as captain.
We got 33M to spend now… lets do it wisely
A rookie winning the FA Cup puts Wenger’s FA Cup wins into perspective.
Dissenter, couldn’t be happier.
All I want is a better Arsenal, I think we’re on the right path.
Today, we were better than the sum of our parts.
Fans believe, players believe, and I think the club do.
Momentum and Europe going into next season is SO important.
HUGE DAY
Pack it in red. Have a beer and a wank you miserable cunt.
Anthony Taylor has done a number on us so many times
I dont give a damn whether he had a bad game or not,.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang wins Arsenal the FA Cup + secures their place in next season’s Europa League. His 69/70th & most important goals in 109 games. Now comes a huge decision for the 31yo + #AFC – will he stay or go?
70 goals in 109 games is frightening
I’ve never been an Arteta fan but I have to say to him tonight, well done. Really proud to be a proud Gooner again
Pedro
Do you think Auba is going?
It makes it sweeter to see all these commentators bleating like idiots
Arsenal were the better team. We wanted it more and it showed.
So fucking pleased v Chelsea fuckers, we had the run of the ref decisions for the first time this season. Amazing result. Need Aubu to stay.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
We fuckin did it.
Chelsea had the ball often but did shit with it.
we had the better chances-
Pepe did well coming inside more… he cannot hug the sidelines all the time… good decision- not sure it was his or Artetas
His dribbling in the middle was crucial today
Fantastic,we are the king of FA cup.
Yep all the announcers are crying about it .. like a bunch of children.. We won it!!
Fuck off. The better team today won.
We’ve won the cup, we’ve won the cup, ee aye addio, we’ve won the cup!!!!
Kings of the FA cup
Spurs have an extra qualifying round to play now,more games to irritate Jose.
Congratulations to Arteta,first trophy as a manager first time of asking.
Winning the FA Cup is no indicator on Arsenal moving in the right direction just ask Wenger.
At least Sauce is now substantial!!!
Guns of SF
Pepe kept popping up on that left side. He was also closing down really well.
Great game from him.
After a horror opening 15 mins that was a fabulous turnaround by the whole team Full credit to all of them for picking things up after what felt like it was going to be a horror show in the opening. Arteta has done extremely well to get us over the finish line this season Coaching players to be a bit better is one thing but management is about getting results and doing it when it matters to win trophies. Despite adversity in the league he’s pulled out all the stops to qualify for the EL by the FA cup and… Read more »
COME ON. There should still be an open bus parade passing the Lane and the Bridge.
‘Winning the FA Cup is no indicator on Arsenal moving in the right direction just ask Wenger.’
Shut up you sad monster.
I am so happy to see so many people so salty after this. It makes it even sweeter. And Tottenham playing qualifiers also makes it better. It’s great being on the other side. Let’s go back to when every team hated is but wanted to be like us.
hated us*
Arteta masterclass. What a sad day for Ozil fanbois lol.
We did it!!!!!!!!!!!!! what a game….!!!
Time for some titos and soda
4 FA Cups in 7 seasons. Incredible for one one of our not so good eras in modern history.
This is a huge win for this club’s career. Make no mistake. This was really needed. Lose this and everything would gave gone down including vital contracts. This win has put us in Eurpope and completely saved this season with a renewed hope.for the next one! Onwards and upwards!
And Auba Is well worth the money. We wouldn’t have complained if he was on Ozil money all season.
Really happy for Arteta and a great team performance.
A huge lift for us going forward financially, so let’s hope Raul has a plan in place for the win.
Hahaha
Ozil, where were you?
Check his social media Im sure there is some patronizing post on there.
Yes we fucking did it, absolutely pleased for the team. Loved how Arteta bounced around at the final whistle with everyone, can see why you’d want to play for him.
Absolutely can’t afford to lose Auba now dear Lord, man’s a fucking world class
Hopefully the board backs the manager now, need to get this summer right as much as we can.
Saladin
The FA Cup.has seen better days and is not the glorious trophy it once was.
Yeah baby!!! If cups are about parties then, LET’s PARTY! Well done boys and Gaffer,
What a win
Arteta gets his just reward
@dissenter 100% on the red. We had so many poor decisions against us. If their players give him a decision to make that’s their issue. It’s happened to us enough! Plus their lucky they got away without a sending off for the penalty! So chuffed for today though. Massive result!
Ozil got served…being left out of this must hurt his retired ass.
14 times man, love the arrogance in printing the shirts knowing we’d fucking win the thing. Probably should just let us have the trophy for keeps now
Gentlebris
Ozil gives zero fucks. Man has no pride, as long as he gets his 18m next year he couldn’t give a fuck.
Says a lot about him and those who support him really.
I like Lampard too
I like his plain talking; “we weren’t good enough to win a final”
Aubameyang has one year left on his contract, we keep him whether he signs a new one or not.
Been reading your blog for about a year, tried to comment a few times but left in moderation, Arsenal supporter since kenny Samson and Willie young days, what do I need to do to comment.
And…eh….are spuds seeing this?
North London is about TROPHIES, not noises.
Batistuta
They should keep those shirts for next season when we win our 14th title.
Lol you guys are so naive
For ozil to be hurt he’d have to you know… care about arsenal… or even football… lol
He probably didn’t even watch it. Why would he? He gets paid all the same
Redtruth, just go & swallow a bitter pill, & watch your DVD collection of tottenham cup triumphs, on your grand father’s black & white television, no one gives a fuck about what’s rattling around inside your cranium right now.
what a roller coaster ride of a season and what a way to end it
do our business right and we will have more momentum when the new season starts
keep the faith
believe in sauce
trust in rolodex
Arteta’s Arsenal are going straight to the top.
First trophy in only half a season with a poor squad that was broken mentally.
Sauce is actually the boss.