Arsenal have a chance to make a real statement this weekend by retaining the FA Cup they won last season, firmly establishing themselves as contenders for silverware once again. Here’s five reasons the Gunners are sure to make it a second cup final win in a row…
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1) They’re better than last season
Arsenal have clearly improved since last season and should make easier work of this final than they did of last season’s win against Hull City. It’s hard to imagine this set of players going 2-0 down in the first ten minutes, just as it’s harder to imagine a side with Alexis Sanchez, and an improved Olivier Giroud and Mesut Ozil taking so long to score. They’ve also looked more convincing in the big games – winning when it mattered against Liverpool, away to Manchester City in the Premier League and at Manchester United in this competition. They look Reading a little lightly in the semi-final, but one feels they won’t fall into that trap again this time.
2) They have a good record vs Aston Villa
With comprehensive 3-0 and 5-0 wins over Aston Villa in the league this season, Arsenal should have plenty of confidence coming up against this opposition again. In general, the Gunners’ record against the Villans is good, though of course the recent change in management is a factor worth considering – both wins in the league came against Paul Lambert’s side, one which was far lower on confidence than this.
3) They have too much pace for their opponents
Still, there’s only so much a manager can do with the players he has, and it is a fact that Arsenal have the pace in their ranks to damage this Villa backline. Ron Vlaar is a good defender but a little on the slow side, and the Gunners really made Villa pay with some fast attacking football at the Emirates Stadium, with Theo Walcott in devastating form. The only thing we don’t know is if the England wide-man will make Arsene Wenger’s starting lineup at Wembley, even if there is a strong case for him doing so. Regardless – with or without him, there is plenty of speed in Alexis Sanchez, Santi Cazorla and pacey young right-back Hector Bellerin to cause Villa problems.
4) They have that winning feeling now
Winning the FA Cup last season has given Arsenal that winning feeling again. They followed it up with another trip to Wembley in August as they beat Manchester City 3-0 in the Community Shield. As already mentioned, they have also found that little bit more confidence and know-how in some of the big games this season, and they will not want to mess up the chance to lift that trophy again, with it being so clear quite how much of a lift it gave everyone last year. In signing Alexis Sanchez as well, they have a player who has won titles elsewhere and knows what to do in the high-pressure matches such as these.
5) Villa under Sherwood have not been good enough
Much has been made of Tim Sherwood and his ability to revitalise a team. It’s still worth saying, though, that his results with Villa so far have not been overly impressive. After beating a Liverpool side devoid of confidence in the semi-final, they have lost to Manchester City, Southampton and Burnley.