http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/arsenal-need-fa-cup-more-3393552Arsenal need the FA Cup more than ANOTHER top 4 finish says David Seaman
Apr 09, 2014 20:00
By John CrossEx-Gunners keeper will take ending their nine-year trophy drought even if it means one season outside the Champions League
Waiting game: Wenger lifts the FA Cup in May 2005 - and Arsenal's trophy drought beginsArsenal legend David Seaman claims winning the FA Cup is more important than a Champions League place for the Gunners this season.
Former keeper Seaman, who won the world's oldest knockout trophy four times, says lifting some silverware has become "massive" for a club which hasn't done so for nine years.
Seaman believes beating Wigan in Saturday's semi-final and then Wembley glory next month against Hull or Sheffield United will get Arsenal back on the right track as a club - and claims that will be better for the Londoners in the long run than another place in the top four.
"I would take winning the FA Cup over finishing top four," said the former England international.
"Arsenal have been in the Champions League since it began. That has - apparently - become nothing. It's a great achievement, but we want to win something and the FA Cup would be great.
"For Arsenal to win a trophy has been massive for the past eight years. The pressure has been building and everyone has been on the bandwagon of 'You've not won anything.'
"I'm just so desperate for them to win the FA Cup. Win the FA Cup and finish top four then I think everyone will be happy at Arsenal.
"But the pressure is building and it gets harder and harder. It's just so frustrating. The Emirates is dying for a trophy.
"The FA Cup is still really prestigious. I've won it four times, lost the final once, I will never forget the cup final days and even the third round days when you see non-league opponents in there."
Seaman has his own special memories of the FA Cup, having lifted it in 1993, 1998, 2002 and 2003. Arsenal lost it in 2001 and the ex-England keeper insists Arsene Wenger's men cannot take Saturday's semi lightly.
Wigan, now a Championship side, are big underdogs but Seaman warned that their status as FA Cup holders gives them invaluable experience.
Seaman has his own memories of Cup upsets.
He said: "Arsenal got beaten by Wrexham all those years ago in the third round. They are great days, it's a great competition and you can see it coming back now because all the top teams are putting their big players out, they're not putting the reserves or kids out.
"They are all taking it seriously to try and win it. Arsenal are dying for a trophy, they're desperate for it. Whether it's the League Cup, the FA Cup or whatever. Just to win something - and shut everybody up!
"I know people are saying they are hot favourites but Wigan are cup holders and they know what it means, what it takes and last season they were surprise winners, beating Man City in the final.
"Arsenal will have to remember that and approach it with caution. But if Arsenal play their game, they beat anybody.
"My best memory of the FA Cup? My proudest one was my last one for Arsenal, against Southampton in the 2003 final. I was captain for the day. I knew it was going to be my last game. because I was out of contract.
"But to go up there as captain, win a trophy and lift it for your club is just an awesome experience.
"I also had the FA Cup final against Newcastle to win the Double in 1998, beating Chelsea to win the Double in 2002 - stuff like that is great times.
"If they win the FA Cup, that's so important. The most important thing is the winning of a trophy. The next thing is qualifying the Champions League. That brings in players who want to come and join your club.
"If they can make signings like they did at the start of this season with players like Ozil, if they can add to that with similar quality players then they can have another great year next season."
Lukasz Fabianski is expected to play in goal on Saturday at Wembley, having been the Gunners' FA Cup keeper ahead of regular first-choice Wojciech Szczesny this season.
Seaman believes Szczesny is now coming of age and can go from strength to strength for Arsenal.
He added: "This has been Szczesny's best season for Arsenal, just for his confidence. The way he has dealt with stuff.
"He's had injuries, had the challenge of Fabianski trying to take his place but has come back really confident and consistent. That's what I look for in a keeper - you'll make mistakes here and there, but it's about how you react afterwards and come back from them.
"I used to talk to [fellow Arsenal goalkeeping legend] Bob Wilson about how many mistakes you can have in a season. We used to set a target of four or five and Szczesny is in that group. He's made some great saves and not made many mistakes.
"He is by far No1, because it looks like Fabianski might be leaving at the end of the season - which I can totally understand.
"For a goalkeeper of his quality, Fabianski has to play. And I can't imagine Arsenal buying a keeper to replace Szczesny after the season he's had."
* David Seaman was launching Football Shirt Friday in aid of the Bobby Moore Fund, supported by Ladbrokes. Wear your football shirt to work this Friday April 11, and donate £2 to make Bobby proud. Visit footballshirtfriday.org for more information.
