A Wembley Redemption 2.1

Image Credit: Bellanaija

       Wheeeeeeeeww, what a way to salvage something from a hitherto disappointing season!!! This is a moment to savour, every bit of that joyous tingle to the very last bit of it cuz after this, you are only as good as your last win. One has to give credit where due, the boys came to the party and were duly rewarded even if we know the FA cup is more about show compared to the league. Winning a trophy in a much underwhelming season is always most very welcome. Arsene Wenger,  Arsenal Team and the Board get a free pass today, no hating or bickering, no protests or social media tirades, let just bask in the glory of this record setting FA Cup win, Arsene's 7^th Arsenals 13^th  be it the manager, the team, or the Fans.

            It was a game of the season performance, the boys were up for the fight, despite the number of setbacks the team had to overcome going into this game, they all dug their heels in and gave it their best. Arsene had some big calls to make and they paid off. Mertersacker was handed his first start in a 3 man backline in the last game of the season. Ospina was picked ahead of Petr Cech in goal and Oxlade chamberlain just back from injury, was going to play as a left wing back instead of the usual right wing he has come to favor in recent weeks Welbeck also started ahead of Giroud as the lead striker. I must say here that every single one of these calls, Arsene Wenger got absolutely right. From the blast of the whistle, Arsenal set about the business of the day with probing passes and slick movement of the ball with Chelsea scurrying after them. The early goal came, and while it was a much debatable as it was a fortuitous one, since Alexis had earlier chested the clearance from Chelsea with the help of his hand, it was very deserved cuz the gunners were the better team for most of the game. Gone was the focused and organized Chelsea, Arsenal were up for the scrap, winning almost all the 50-50 challenges and recycling play forward. Maybe the blues were feeling a little bit of celebratory blues I really can’t say, but this wasn’t the Champions we had seen all season in the league. They were leggy, static and just not allowed in the game. Imagine the sight of Ozil chasing down Hazard and getting in his slide tackle that summed up the hunger they had for this trophy and that was the Arsenal we saw today.

Of course it won’t be Arsenal without a few nervy moments, and they were few scares from Chelsea. Costa did level scores in the second half although Ospina should have done better, but he more than made up for it with some vital saves at 1-0 and 2-1.  On the balance of the whole play, the better team won without any doubt. I think whats surprising for me was Chelsea’s performance or was it Arsenals dominance? The other question would be …why did we leave it so late when we could have churned in such 5star performances week in week out in the league? I guess we would never know. I am sure that beyond the win, the focus will be on the possible exits from the club. Arsene, Ospina Sanchez, Ozil, Oxlade. Maybe now might be a good time for Arsene Wenger to bow out, on some sort of high? I think that would be more befitting for his work at the club especially in his first 10years. Anyway, all that is going to be unraveled as gist for another day. Shout out to Per Mertersacker for his sublime performance, he was most impressive to me….word to Welbeck Oxlade Ozil and Xhaka not forgetting Giroud for that assist. I guess that well and truly closes the 2016/17 footballing season inspite of how we performed, it’s been one to cherish and I hope we are going to make amends next season. For now though, lets enjoy the glorious occasion of being the 2017 EMIRATES FA CUP WINNER……............Cheers!! 

Image Credit: The Uk Guardian Online.