Wojciech Szczesny admits the FA Cup has taken on additional importance to Arsenal following their collapse in the title race.
The Gunners had been leading from the front for much of the campaign as they looked to secure a first Premier League crown since the 2003-04 season, but as has so often been the case over the past decade, they have fallen away badly. Their 3-0 defeat at Everton leaves them in fourth position, and some 10 points adrift of leaders Liverpool.
Indeed, that loss at Goodison Park has cast huge question marks about their ability to even finish in the top four, with the Toffees now just a single point behind them with a game in hand. Arsene Wenger’s side will get a respite from the league this weekend when they travel to Wembley, where they take on Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup semi-final.
This tournament was the last in which the Londoners held aloft, yet it has been nine long years since they did so after beating Manchester United in a penalty shootout in Cardiff. The chance to finally end this wait for silverware looks promising this time round with either Hull City or Sheffield United waiting in the final if they can get past the Latics, and Szczesny has underlined just how important it is to take advantage of the situation.
“The FA Cup game becomes massive now, obviously it is the only trophy we can win,” he said. “It would be a massive boost for the club and a lift for the team if we could win it for the fans. We have plenty to play for still. We have an FA Cup semi-final and we are still in fourth in the Premier League so it is up to us to switch on very quickly, focus and forget about this. I hope we can kick on and get back to where we want to be.”
Whilst the Gunners are favourites to make it to the final, it would be a big mistake if they were to underestimate the challenge which awaits them on Saturday. Wigan won the competition last season when they stunned the footballing world with a victory against Manchester City, and although they were later relegated from the Premier League, they are currently set for a playoff place following some fine work from Uwe Rosler.
The German coach replaced the sacked Owen Coyle as manager of the Lancashire club back in December, since when they have won 13 of their 22 games in the Championship to occupy fifth place in the standings and another three wins from their final six fixtures should secure a top six finish. Just as impressively, Rosler masterminded a 2-1 win against City at the Etihad Stadium to set up the semi-final clash with Arsenal.
