Talk about doing it the hard way. Two goals down after eight minutes, nine years without silverware hanging heavy around the Arsenal necks, another Final disappointment looming large. But the pessimists reckoned without Aaron Ramsey. With nerves frayed and penalties lying ahead, it was fitting that the Welsh midfielder - a source of so much hope this season before injuries robbed Arsenal of his services for half of the campaign - coolly netted the winner with 11 minutes remaining. So often the scapegoat for the sides troubles last season, the Ramseys redemption is complete after returning from injury to win the Cup for his side to cap a memorable season. The last time the Gunners lifted silverware, Patrick Viera played his last game for the club, and Arsene Wenger has been searching for a true replacement ever since. With 10 goals in the Premier League and eight assists, as well as a fiercely combative presence, he may just have found it in Rambo. Nine years without a trophy is too long a wait for a team of Arsenals calibre, an aberration given the quality of players that have passed through their doors in the past decade. That wait is now over, and it is surely time for the Gunners to move forward. Jose Mourinho famously described Wenger as a specialist in failure earlier this season: no longer can that tag apply to his side held the FA Cup aloft, one trophy better off than the Chelsea coach himself this season, it should be added. With the greatest respect to the FA Cup, it is not on the same level as the Premier League or the Champions League, and greater challenges than turning the tide against the Tigers will lie ahead if Wenger is to add to the Emirates trophy cabinet. But Ramsey and his team-mates will not care one jot as they celebrate sweet silverware once again - though how they do that is open to debate. You have to sacrifice yourself for this job, Wenger told ITV Sport before the game. Despite the trophy success, the inescapable question will remain over whether it is time for Wenger to make the ultimate sacrifice for Arsenal to progress. Wengers contract is up at the end of this season, and while he has committed his future verbally, he has yet to do so in writing. It is more than likely that Wenger will remain in charge next season - he confirmed as much after the game - and he must build a side capable of competing for top honours; otherwise, he may find that even more of his prized assets go the same way of Samir Nasri, Gael Clichy, Robin van Persie and, more than likely, Bacary Sagna in searching for success further north. But in Ramsey, he has a talent capable of fashioning a world-class team around. Arsenal have won every game in which Ramsey has scored this season, and it is no coincidence that the Gunners title ambitions faded with the midfielders injury troubles.
Posted on: Sun, 18 May 2014 00:01:03 +0000
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