Arsenal Set To Create History
After a nervy 120 minutes of football, Arsenal are now on the brink of defending their FA Cup title. Alexis Sanchez scored twice, as Arsenal needed extra time yet again to prevail at Wembley, this time against Reading FC. The gunners were helped by a goalkeeping error from Adam Federico before half-time in extra time.
7 – Arsenal have won their last seven competitive games that Alexis Sanchez has scored in. Expectation.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 18, 2015
Wenger was proud of his team’s achievements. However, he sympathized with the Reading goalkeeper.
“Once it is done it’s done. You have to live with that. We are not equal in front of that. Some carry that their whole life and some recover quickly and forget about it. [Federici] should be comforted about the fact he had a great game.”
You had a great game @federici32 – don’t beat yourself up too much about the mistake. I’ve done far worse. #AFCvRFC #FACup
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) April 18, 2015
Arsenal could create history with manager Arsene Wenger on the brink of winning his sixth FA Cup, putting him level with George Ramsay as the competition’s most successful manager.
“They really wanted it Reading, they were willing to die on the pitch to go to the final and you have to congratulate them for the effort they put in.In the end, we were a bit lucky because their keeper made a mistake and I can understand that he is distraught, but as well he kept them in the game for long periods.”
The Arsenal manager continued, “What was missing was a bit of speed of combination and sharpness in the final third maybe, but overall the concentration was there.”
“Now, let’s focus on our next game, we come back here in the final, but we have time to prepare,” Wenger added.
“The final is a 50-50 (game). If we can beat the record we will be very happy. Let’s hope we have all of our players available and come back in good shape.”
Arsenal will now face Aston Villa in the final at Wembley on May 30th after their historic victory against Liverpool.
[Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images]