A Springboard for Greater Things

It feels almost surreal to be writing this. Arsenal have won a trophy. Having become an Arsenal fan around 2004-2005 I have few memories of the invincibles but can remember vividly the 2005 FA Cup Final. I was ill, in bed, hiding behind a pillow as Patrick Vieira struck the winning penalty, yet make no mistake this game was far more painful, sickening, gut wrenching - and glorious.

Sure, it wasn't Manchester United we beat on the day, it was Hull City, but it was a Hull City team that executed a quite clear game plan almost to perfection for 70 minutes; exploiting set pieces, coming out of the blocks fast and sitting behind the ball, giving the likes of Mesut Özil, Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey very little time on the ball.

In fact if it wasn't for one ill fated step to the right from Alan McGregor before a glorious curling free kick from Santi, I do not think I'd be sitting here right now writing about our cup victory. Without that goal, and indeed the vastly underrated Kieran Gibbs' goal line clearance at 2-0 down, Arsenal would have almost certainly never settled and ultimately, never won. But, with a bit of luck and a quite remarkable piece of ingenuity from Arsène Wenger - bringing on Yaya Sanogo who proceeded to change the dynamic of the game, with Arsenal flourishing in the 4-4-2 system in the same way they did against Wigan in the semis - Arsenal were able to end their eight season wait for a trophy and finally bring a piece of silverware to the Emirates.

Now, the question for Arsenal is what next?

With the Benfica-esque curse of the Emirates now having defeated before it became entrenched, Arsenal can use this success for bigger and better things. Winning the FA Cup is always a fantastic achievement and was fully deserved; beating Tottenham, Liverpool, Everton and the reigning champions on the way to the final, before coming from 2-0 down in the final itself. However, once the initial celebrations end and a sense of calm is finally restored to Islington with the commotion multiplied tenfold as a result of the nine year wait, now is the time for Arsenal to move on from this barren period. The stadium debt is all but paid off and Arsenal can be financially, as well as footballingly, competitive again (showcased by the Mesut Özil signing in August) and this must be built upon with a big summer.

It will feel like the weight of a nation has been lifted off Arsène Wenger's shoulders. No longer must he suffer the tiresome and lazy journalism that has plagued him and his team for five or six years now. The whole 'a first trophy in x number of years is a must', despite the reality that every year Champions league football was the must for Arsenal's ambitiously fast stadium repayment plan. A trophy was a bonus, if not by the end a desperately, desperately needed bonus.

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