Victorious Gunners aim to fill up trophy cabinet
ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger and his players believe their victory in the weekend’s FA Cup final can drive the north Londoners onto further glory, having ended their nine-year wait for a trophy.
Addressing thousands of celebrating fans during the club’s victory parade in Islington yesterday, Wenger said this was the most important of his joint-record five FA Cup wins.
“It was the most wanted one, and maybe the most difficult one, and we had to fight very hard,” Wenger said of Saturday’s 3-2 win over Hull City, adding his relief at delivering the first major trophy since moving to the Emirates Stadium in 2006.
“Now we have started, we don’t want to stop. This group of players have gone through some difficult times and they always recovered and responded, and the club can be very proud of what they have achieved.”
Wembley hero Aaron Ramsey, whose goal in extra time secured the iconic cup for the Gunners, also hopes the result can be a springboard for more success. “This is what it’s all about,” the Wales midfielder said.
“You want to play in finals and have chances to win silverware and we’ve managed to do that and hopefully now the players will be more hungry to have this every season.”
French striker Olivier Giroud, who set up Ramsey’s goal, is now confident that more glory will follow.
“It’s amazing to win a trophy,” Giroud said. “It’s a part of the story of Arsenal – it’s really important and I’m really proud to have this trophy. Hopefully next year and in the following years, we will have more.”
Left-back Kieran Gibbs also has his eye on more honours. “Now we’ve got the first hurdle out of the way, hopefully it’ll give us a boost for seasons to come,” he said. “We overcame a big hurdle, we’re very proud of that.”