Adios Trophy Drought

#Arsenal 3 - 2 #HullCity
Match Report

Did you hear that?  The collective sigh heard around the world from Arsenal supporters, "oh shit, here we go again", when Arsenal found themselves down 2 nil, within the first 10 minutes of the FA Cup final.

Throughout Arsenal's nine year trophy drought, the manager, players, and supporters have had to endure thousands of questions and overly critical comments about all aspects of Arsenal FC.  Of all the questions and comments about the Manager, and players, the one question most vehemently asked was, "do Arsenal have the mental toughness required to win big games?" In every big game throughout the nine year trophy drought, Arsenal's answer to this question was a resounding NO, until Saturday's #FACup final.  Arsenal's victory in the FA Cup final was a microcosm of redemption for the last nine years of futility.  The big game debacles, the Manager's decisions, the players lack of mental strength were all redeemed on Saturday.

Mr. Arsene #Wenger - No one has had to endure the questions about his decisions and the players performances more than Wenger.  Wenger's transfer policy, the tactics used, players lack of performance in big games, and would he ever guide another Arsenal squad to trophies, have all been criticized and questioned by the entire footballing world and more notably us Arsenal supporters.  Through all the criticism and questions Wenger never swayed, and he displayed unwavering faith and support for his players and his football ideology.  The most audible criticism cast at Wenger is his lack of transfer dealings.  Wenger bought Santi, he bought Koscielny, and last but not least Wenger bought Mr. Aaron Ramsey aka "Rambo" and all three of these players scored the goals that brought Arsenal FC their 11th FA Cup, and redemption for Wenger.

The Players - The entire squad displayed the mental toughness and grit, they have been criticized for lacking in Saturdays final.  All of them, the players in suits, the subs, the coaching staff, everybody who witnessed the game had to be mentally tough especially going down 2 nil only to scratch and claw their way back into the game, and eventually get the victory in extra time.  Cynics will try and discredit all the heart Hull City displayed, and say Arsenal should've won easy, but tell that to Man City when they played Wigan and lost last years final.  Man City choked last year, Arsenal didn't, and showed great mental toughness in victory.

Aaron Ramsey - The best player on Arsenal epitomizes redemption, and should be an inspiration to us all.  The sheer determination, self belief, and work ethic displayed by Ramsey, are all attributes we should try to emulate.  For the past two seasons no Arsenal player has been more overly criticized than Ramsey, and what was his response?  #Ramsey didn't respond verbally, Ramsey responded on the pitch with hard work, determination, and his best quality, unwavering self belief.  In the second extra time of Saturdays FA Cup final, you could see that no other Arsenal player wanted to step up and assume responsibility, and take a shot on goal.  But not Aaron Ramsey, he kept shooting, and working hard to get in positions to score, and you could see his self belief, because after every errant shot, Ramsey never stopped believing, and just when I was about to jump through the TV and strangled Giroud for not shooting, he made the most delicious back heel pass for Ramsey to slot home the game winning goal.  A fitting end to a nine year trophy drought.  #COYG

Peace Out,
Blanco