Ramsey: Let’s win cup for Wenger

AARON Ramsey (right) hopes Arsenal can win the FA Cup for manager Arsene Wenger after coming from behind to reach the final at Manchester City’s expense.

The Gunners will play Chelsea in next month’s Wembley showpiece after Alexis Sanchez scrambled an extra-time winner in a controversial clash on Sunday.

The 2-1 victory came against the odds and after a turbulent spell in which Wenger has come under pressure from an increasing number of supporters as his future remains uncertain.

Midfielder Ramsey feels a moral obligation to go on and lift the trophy for the long-serving Frenchman.

The Wales international said: “It was important for us to get to the final for him, for ourselves and for the fans, and have a bit of positivity around the club.

“He was over the moon for us but we are delighted as well that we have got to a final for him.

“I think he deserves that and, hopefully, now we can kick on and win it for him.

“We have seven cup finals now to try to finish off the job and get that Champions League place, then, hopefully, we’ll have something to celebrate at the end of the year.”

While Wenger can finish the season with silverware, City boss Pep Guardiola is now destined to end a campaign empty-handed for the first time in his managerial career.

It has been a disappointing first season in charge at the Etihad Stadium for the Spaniard but he felt an understandable sense of injustice over the manner of City’s loss at Wembley.

City dominated and Sergio Aguero had a seemingly-good goal disallowed in the first half after Leroy Sane’s cross was ruled to have drifted out of play before falling to the Argentinian. Replays suggested it was a very close call, perhaps down to millimetres but that was of little comfort.

“The linesman could not see that situation,” said Guardiola. “To see that ball you have to be in line and when you are four or five metres away you cannot see it.

“During 90 minutes in games like this, in a semi-final that is like a final, you cannot expect to control all the situations but we controlled most of the time.

“We had a good performance, we played like you have to play in a final. “We did absolutely everything.”

City did take the lead with a superb breakaway goal from Aguero just after the hour but then switched off to allow a Nacho Monreal equaliser. Yaya Toure and Fernandinho then hit the woodwork as City roared back but Arsenal held out and snatched victory when Sanchez pounced from close range in the 101st minute.

Wenger hailed the fortitude of his players.

He said: “I felt it was a big test for us, a mental test because many people question if we can turn up on an occasion like this and that’s why I’m very proud of the players because they stayed united and determined.”