The FA Cup and beyond…how far can Arsenal go?

The Gunners have battled their way to a spot in the FA Cup quarterfinals, but do they have a chance to win this coveted trophy?

Let’s examine how we have fared against the other seven qualifiers so far this season…

Our next FA Cup opponent is Sheffield United. This season, after two matches, Arsenal is 0-1-1 vs. the Blades. We lost the game in Sheffield on October 11th, but a lot has changed at Arsenal since then. Still, Sheffield United is having an excellent season, and this will be a very tough away game.

But, if we get by Sheffield United, we would play any of these 6 teams remaining in the competition.
Leicester City, Newcastle United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United, and Norwich City

Against those remaining six clubs, our combined record this season is: 2 wins, 3 draws, and 3 defeats.
Our only success story has been our two league wins v Newcastle United.
We still have Premier League matches with Leicester City, Manchester City, Norwich City, and Manchester United remaining.

BUT, a lot has changed since our first games this season against those clubs.
Mikel Arteta has rejuvenated a staggering team that had won only once during a span of 13 games. Everything about the club was at its lowest ebb. Pundits were already predicting a relegation battle was in store for the Gunners. That’s how bad it got.

Today, however, the mood is brighter, the record is better, and the players attitudes and work rates on the pitch are really good. The players are learning how to win again, and they are learning how to gut out those close, tough matches. Winning is more than tactics, fitness rates, skill, or star power. Winning is about playing as a team, covering your teammates backs, and leaving everything on the pitch during those 90 minutes. I believe Arsenal is becoming this type of team. Will they win the FA Cup, or reach 4th or 5th place in the Premier League by the end of the season? No one knows, but the one thing we can not count on is an Arsenal club that comes to play, and play hard.

March, April and May will be a long road for all of us to travel, but together as Global Gooners, we can provide the support, the heart, and the loud voices to help our lads find redemption, and earn some real pride by the end of the season.

COYG!

Cheers. Gunner1953