Now Wenger must set his sights higher
ANOTHER Arsenal triumph at Wembley sparked another deluge of ticker tape and another team celebration shot, in the goalmouth where the penalties had been taken.
It has been a prolific start to two more years of Arsene Wenger, winning the Emirates Cup and beating Bayern Munich on penalties in China. The winning habit is a good one to get into, whatever the stage of the season.
One or two in red and white seemed bewildered by the new ABBA penalty system but they worked it out eventually. Chelsea understood the system but had trouble hitting the target, all of which set the scene perfectly for Arsenal’s super trooper Olivier Giroud to steal in for the glory.
And there he was in the celebration shot, having a ball despite the arrival of a £52million record signing and interest from Everton, West Ham and Marseille.
Contrary to popular belief, Giroud still has the spirit to fight for his place at Arsenal. As the first replacement for Alexandre Lacazette or someone to send on when ideas are running low, he is a useful man to have around.
He has made key contributions to their nine wins in a row at Wembley since the League Cup final in 2011 and stayed cool yesterday to sweep the decisive penalty past Thibaut Courtois.
Twice they have beaten the champions with silverware at stake but Wenger is not about to be fooled. Three FA Cup and Community Shield doubles in four years are great for the photo montage but it is time to compete for something heavier.
‘It is an encouragement, not more than that,’ said Wenger. ‘We had some bad starts recently in the last four years, in the first games of the Premier League, but we had the intensity in our games in preparation that is needed to be ready. So let’s go into the Premier League with the same spirit and see where he can go.’
Arsenal kick off against Leicester on Friday and are feeling the need to summon a genuine challenge for the title in a season when they are not in the Champions League.
Uncertainty surrounds the futures of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, both at Wembley though not involved, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Wenger also confirmed the club are trying to offload players. ‘The number of players is too high, we will let some go,’ he said.
But there are reasons for hope, including the addition of Lacazette, who hit the post in the first half. He may not offer a physical presence but he has pace and an eye for goal. ‘Lacazette is stronger every week,’ said Wenger. ‘He still needs to adapt to the intensity of the game but I believe he will become stronger and stronger.’
Sead Kolasinac, the other summer recruit, has injected some courage into Wenger’s squad. Having replaced Per Mertesacker, the steely Bosnian operated out of position as one of three central defenders before grabbing the equaliser. He may add something more valuable than his ability to chug up and down the left flank.
‘The problem for the managers is to maintain that spirit through the season,’ said Wenger. ‘The Premier League is unpredictable, every game is a fight, as soon as you are a bit off you don’t win.’