It had been nine years since Arsenal had won any silverware, but the wait is finally over. By winning the 2014 FA Cup, other finals which ended in loss for Arsenal, such as the Champions League final in 2006 against Barcelona or in more recent memory the Final for the Carling Cup in 2011 against Birmingham City, all but seem like a distant memory to Arsenal fans around the world now. A week after one of the most exciting and emotional finals, Arsenal fans around the globe are still buzzing after that come from incredible victory over Hull City. This triumph speaks more than just winning a trophy; it also allows thought for what could be in store for this team and for the club, which is to be competing in more finals.
The stage was set for Arsenal going into the Final to face Hull City as favorites to lift the cup and to claim their fifth victory in the tournament under Arsene Wenger. Arsenal had developed a bad habit throughout the season by conceding goals early like during the fixtures against Chelsea and Liverpool, which both ended in humiliating defeats and the dream of lifting that trophy came to a screeching halt just after eight minutes when Arsenal found themselves down two goals in that time. Goals from James Chester and Curtis Davies had evidently shocked everyone. Nobody had given them a chance and there they were, two goals up. Knowing what was at stake, Arsenal had to pick themselves up and fight back to get into the match, which is exactly what they did through Santi Cazorla’s absolutely sumptuous free kick. The Gunners continuously applied pressure to the Tigers back four for the majority of the match until they cracked midway through the second half from an equalizing goal through Arsenal’s center back Laurent Koscielny. The Gunners created brilliant chances to score but more noticeably the chance that Kieran Gibbs should have put away from a few yards out that ended up flying over the goal. The match eventually went to extra-time where more pressure mounted for the Tigers as Arsenal’s instrumental midfield kept finding dangerous passes in the final third of the pitch. The deadlock was finally broken through Aaron Ramsey who was the eventually man of the match, netted in the nineteenth minute of extra-time with critical passing inside the Tigers box. Despite being down by one goal now the Tigers created another chance at goal through a mistake from Per Mertesacker, which allowed Sone Aluko a shot that eerily skipped across the face of the goal. There was one last chance to increase the lead from a counter attack that began with substitute, Jack Wilshere, who threaded the ball to the other substitute, Tomas Rosicky, who tried to square the ball into the box but was cleared off the line. That was the last action for the match and Arsenal claimed the FA Cup.
This match personified exactly what it is to be an Arsenal fan. You have moments of heartbreak followed by joy and glory. The match consisted of many mixed emotions and moments that made watching the way Arsenal move the ball throughout the pitch with such fluidity, so entertaining and captivating. Being a Gunner can be difficult, but it’s worth all the pain. Victory comes through harmony.
