HISTORY IN THE MAKING
Wenger targeting record SEVENTH FA Cup win and insists he’s under less pressure than ever before
ARSENE WENGER is chasing a piece of FA Cup history – but claims he is not under the same pressure as three years ago.
The Frenchman, who has won the trophy a record-equalling six times (right), was in a similar position in 2014 when Arsenal faced Wigan in the semi-final.
His contract was running to an end, the Gunners were in a nineyear trophy drought and Wenger knew it was win-or-bust with the fans on a knife edge.
It went all the way to penalties, Arsenal went on to beat Hull in the final, he was handed a new three-year deal… and here we are all over again.
But this time Arsenal are the underdogs, Manchester City are favourites and, as much as some unhappy fans might not agree, Wenger clearly does not feel as if his future depends on the outcome.
He is expected to sign a new two-year deal, irrespective of whether they win the FA Cup or finish in the top four – and this time the Emirates chief sees the semi-final very differently.
“In 2014 it was a special pressure, this time, it is a special opportunity for us,” said Wenger who has won the trophy twice in the last three seasons.
“It was a special pressure because it was difficult for us. We had not won a trophy for a long time. People questioned us about winning a trophy. Overall, yes, the pressure was big.”
The FA Cup has actually been Wenger’s salvation before, lifting the trophy in 1998, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2014 and 2015.
Back in 2003, Arsenal’s postWembley party at a glitzy London hotel turned into an inquest because the FA Cup was seen as just a consolation prize. They were expected to win the title in those days and blew it during the run-in. How expectations have changed.
Now Arsenal are the outsiders going into semi-final weekend. Wenger winning the FA Cup would put him above Aston Villa’s George Ramsay, who won the cup six times between 1897 and 1920. Wenger is on course to be in charge of Arsenal for just as long, and fell in love with the FA Cup from watching it at home as a child on a black and white TV.
But losing a North London derby in the final would be a nightmare scenario for the fans.
Wenger said: “I have not thought about it at all.
“Because we play City, I don’t think about it like that. It would be absolutely stupid to speculate on the final.
“Let’s first deal with City on Sunday and see what happens there. It’s really a 50-50 game.
“If you ask the neutrals, maybe they will say City are favourites. If we were playing, for example, a Championship team, I would honestly say, ‘Yes, I have thought about the final’.
“I always thought the cup is something special.
“In fact I have won the cup in every country I have worked – so it is always something that I consider special.
“I am very proud of the record because you have had many strong managers in England for many periods. The guy who won it six times was not today, it was early 1900s.
“It’s not easy. I will try to beat the record, but for that we will have to go through on Sunday.
“The title race is more of a marathon and this is more condensed and is quicker rewarded.”