Arsenal’s season this term has admittedly been disappointing, with the Gunners once again being knocked out of the Champions League at the Round of 16 stage and currently sitting sixth in the Premier League standings, six points off the top-four.
Whilst Arsene Wenger’s side still have hopes of finishing in the Champions League spots this season, the likelihood is that the Gunners will have to prepare for their first season without involvement in Europe’s elite competition in recent memory.
Wenger’s side have certainly fallen short of expectations in the Premier League this season but Arsenal still have a chance of lifting a trophy, as they’re set for an FA Cup final showdown with Chelsea later this month- and Gary Neville believes winning that competition would constitute a successful season for Arsenal.
On his most recent podcast, the former Manchester United man argued that winning the FA Cup would leave Arsenal’s season standing as a successful one, despite their failings elsewhere.
“If they won the FA Cup this year, would that be seen as a successful season? I’d say probably yes. People will argue their league performance has been the worst it’s been for 15-20 years but maybe they are allowed a blip.”
Although the Gunners haven fallen short of their expectations in other competitions, winning the FA Cup would certainly mean Wenger’s side have enjoyed a successful season- especially as it would stand as their third FA Cup crown in four years, a sensational record.
To put that into perspective, that’s more than 16 of the other 19 clubs in the Premier League have won during the past decade- with the only exceptions to that being Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United; and the latter would probably have taken FA Cup success this season to.
In modern football, winning a trophy cannot be overlooked and the Gunners have been extremely successful in the FA Cup during recent seasons. Whilst the trophy isn’t as big as the Premier League or Champions League, it’s still a great achievement.
To put it in simple terms, winning a trophy during a campaign where Arsenal could finish in their lowest position since Arsene Wenger took charge shows that necessary changes this summer may not be as widespread as previously believed.
It would also help to appease the players coming to the end of their contracts and would also help lure top summer targets to the club this summer, as it would show that Arsenal are still making progress despite their shortcomings in other competitions.
Make no mistake, Arsenal have certainly fallen short of expectations this season but winning the FA Cup would be an important victory for the Gunners and fans shouldn’t overlook the importance of raising a trophy this season.