Arsene Wenger eyes FA Cup passage to Wembley

Saturday 08 Mar 2014
Wenger is eyeing up FA Cup success for Arsenal

Arsene Wenger knows his side are only two games away from tasting FA Cup victory for the first time since 2005, but accepts that the hard work now continues at Wembley.

Wenger’s Arsenal side became the first team to secure a Semi-Final place courtesy of a 4-1 victory over Everton at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

And after enjoying a run of home games from the Third Round onwards, the Gunners boss wants to see his side continue that form at Wembley in the next round.

 

Arsenal 4-1 Everton

The FA Cup with Budweiser
Sixth Round Proper
12.45pm, Saturday 8 March
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"Mathematically, I cannot deny that is true [being two games from winning The FA Cup], it’s a Semi-Final," said Wenger.

"Tactically, it’s a bit more difficult than that so let’s see who we have to play in the Semi-Final and do it again.

"When you look at the competition, it’s true that we have played all of our games at home so it’s been a good draw for us.

"That’s the first time it’s happened, but on the other hand, we’ve played difficult opponents in Tottenham, Liverpool and Everton – that shows you that we have taken this competition seriously."

Arsenal were in good form at times against Roberto Martinez’s side to back Wenger's claims and goals from Mesut Ozil, Mikel Arteta and an Olivier Giroud brace proved enough for victory on Saturday.

And Wenger felt that it was a deserved victory for Arsenal, despite a constant threat from their visitors on the counter attack.

"It was a quality performance from the first until the last minute against a good side," he added.

"In the first half, it was all us and we are unlucky to be 1-1 at half time.

"In the second half, Everton started well and had a strong spell in the game when they had the chance with [Ross] Barkley.

"But after we scored the second goal, we controlled the way we played and always looked like we could score more.

"It was important for us to win today on a psychological front and [puts Arsenal] in a good mind so we can be inspired by the focus of the day and by our desire."

Arsenal will now await the Semi-Final draw on Sunday, which is being made by former Gunners striker Ian Wright and his son Shaun Wright-Phillips.

By Nicholas Veevers Content Manager - FA Owned Channels Emirates Stadium