Today’s post is brought to us by @Liveorangejuice ,who translated it from another language. I’ve left it “as is” because I don’t want to tamper with it. So please understand the sometimes odd grammar.
“Gunnywood. If there was not this final, it should have been made up.”
Why do we love English football? Because it’s about unpredictability, tension, traditions, everybody can beat everybody. That’s about it, isn’t it?
Where, if not in the FA Cup can it all comes together?
To the final of the oldest football tournament in the world Arsenal came in favourites. But, as the head coach of Arsenal correctly stated, the favourite’s status does not guarantee victory.Before the match I had a sense of confidence in our victory. Exactly the same feeling I had last season before the second leg against Bayern Munich, when everybody had been waiting for defeat and failure, but I was confident . I don’t know what it was – intuition, anticipation or just faith in the team.When after 10 minutes the score was 2-0 in favour of Hull, a sense of confidence had not gone anywhere. Probably every fan before the match imagined their players lifting the trophy. Even after a poor start I still could not imagine the Cup going to “Tigers” and my head was buzzing with thoughts, “We can’t lose. No, no, no, guys, who’re you fooling? You’ll win it back”.It’s been almost a year and a half since a Podolski’s free kick goal. And every single match after I was indignant at why almost all clubs in the EPL are able to score directly with a free kick but Arsenal are not? And here we are with a long awaited goal of Cazorla! During broadcast of a parade on Arsenal Player it was said that Wenger were analyzing the game of a Hull’s goalkeeper and recommended players to aim under his left hand. If so, homework was performed flawlessly. This goal brought joy as if there had not been two balls in the Fabianski’s goal. Well, 2-1 is on scoreboard, and Arsenal begins to recover. As it was rightly pointed out by Trushechkin [commentator of the match], Arsenal did not betray themselves and their style. Systematically, although slowly, they tried to play efficiently and effectively.Up to the half time the score had not changed, and curiosity ate me – what the team will be look like in the second half: the same pragmatic and spectacular way or will be risky from the first minute. Arsenal continued to play their football, but it resulted in nothing. Then they switched to a plan B which gunners have already practiced this season (yes, they did!) – they changed from 4-2-3-1 to 4-4-2 . In conjunction with the injured Alex Bruce, probably the best player at Hull, coming out on the field of Yaya Sanogo became the necessary momentum for the team.The whole match looked like whether a twisted thriller or a film called “The entire Arsenal within 90+ minutes”. If so, the law of the genre demanded a scene with a hero being ready to equalize. Who could it be? Sanogo? Hmm, no, hardly suits this role. Mertesaker? Here you’re getting closer, because his goal helped Arsenal to reach the final. But there is the man in the squad who has always scored in the last match of the season. Yes, Laurent, you were betting on the winning goal, but I think your colleagues can close their eyes on formalities. “We want you to score, we want you to score, Laurent Koscielny, we want you to score“, sang fans at Emirates during a lap of honour. Laurent did not disappoint us. The final is not the final without a goal of Koscielny!
When the score was 2-2, the idea that Hull may become the winner of the FA Cup finally was not allowed. Moments started appearing one by one. And here Sanogo seizes upon the ball in the opponent’s penalty area, passes to Gibbs, standing alone 5 meters in front of an almost empty goal, and… misses. And then it flashed on me: Yes, of course, those who equalized will be remembered, but the hero of the match will still be the one who will score the winning goal, whose name will be written down in the annals of the club and history of the oldest trophy in the football world. This figure should be significant by itself or impersonate the answer to all the attacks of enemies and critics. With all respect to Gibbs (by the way, thanks to Kieran by the 13-th minute the score had not become 3-0), he does not suit the purpose.
At some point, I wanted to know whether Arteta would overcome mental pressure and score penalty in the final, but the referee decisively rejected every opportunity for Mikel to put a ball at the point.
Ozil? He has not become that figure yet.
Came out to the pitch Rosicky and Wilshere. An honoured veteran of the team and a British bulldog, a hope for the English national team. Could the candidates be better!
Giroud? The ball did not go into the net after his shots, saved either by a goalkeeper or goal posts. But this man had to take part in the victorious attack. According to the law of the genre. But who? Who will put the final point?Hollywood came up with a lot of stories about the power of spirit, persistence and faith of one person in another. But all this tastes unnecessary pathos and sugar (exactly like this post, isn’t it?), because before our eyes the real story is happening, being worth to be seen on screen. The story of a Welsh guy who was one foot away from Manchester, but a meeting with Arsene Wenger convinced him to sign a contract with Arsenal. The guy, who’d been gradually discovering his game and place in team, then suffered an open leg fracture and was out for 17 months. The man who had the trust of his manager and regularly worked out on pitch, and also been extended a contract even though he was injured. The guy who firstly was supported and then booed by his own fans and was demanded to be sold back to Cardiff. The guy who was afraid to go in tackle after his injury and now he is one of the best players in the squad. The man who could not score a goal from several meters now has become one of the best strikers in the team. It sounds too sweet. And should you be a director or writer, you would have finished your film or script with some final match where this young man scores the winning goal…but welcome to reality.
Oh, wait a second. After all, this is what we saw in the evening of May 17!
Aaron Ramsey has been so cool this season that you really wonder, “Isn’t it just a dream?” Aaron has broken trophyless (Did I put the word right? On a wave of euphoria somehow forget about such small things) series of Arsenal, which lasted for 9 years. The Welsh guy paid tribute to his manager and fans that believed in him and gave their support and wrote his name into history.
Perfect final, perfect denouement, perfect hero.
That’s why I still cannot believe in the reality of the situation!
The World Cup, transfer window, preseason term lie ahead, but now there is hope that next season will be even more successful than the current one.
Positively Arsenal 
I think its marvelous that someone from overseas has the inclination to write this.
I know we have many overseas readers and contributors, but it always gives me a buzz.
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Well, that was lovely.
Thanks LiveOrangejuice.
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LiveOrangeJuice – So many things you have written reflect my very thought process 8 days ago. It may have something with us overseas gooners being metaphysically attached to Arsenal vs the physical proximity of our British brethren. I must say after that poor start, despite the treacherous evel inner voice of doubt, there was a dominant feeling of confidence which I think has been kindled by 8 years of adversity. No wonder there was such a universal emotional release of exultation throughhout the goonersphere. Everyone connected to this club (fans, players, management), knew how much adversity we had to overcome for 9 long years.
Good job!
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What a great piece LiveOrangeJuice, thanks! And what an unusual name……
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Excellently written oj. I love these bits of prose that take you film like drifting through a story, you know the script and the ending but its wonderful anyway.
We know the current Manager and team will never get the widespread credit they deserve and so the indulgent glories we allow ourselves now are very welcome.
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Where all the hight priests of Wenger orthodoxy today? Intolerant bastards are all gone on holidays it seems. Live OrangeJuice deserves more respect from you lot.
Damn!
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I love it oj
Whose Trushechkin though ??
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The end of the season podcast guest is booked.
Its Pedro from Le Grove.
How about that for a surprise?
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Trushechkin – Russian commentator
Ah ha !
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Proud of you for being a true rep of overseas gunners! Very well written indeed! translations and all
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@PG which podcast? Are we safe?
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Ours TS. Talking Through The Arse
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Has the world really gone mad? I can’t wait….in fact more than the start of the I next campaign…..
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Lovely piece OJ even with the ‘interesting’ translation!
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Well done LIVEORANGEJUICE
I too had tremendous faith of a win even at two down. A true Hollywood ending. We should make a CD. hahaha
UP WITH THE ARSENAL !!!!!!!!
PG? PEDRITTO?? please be gentle… not!!!! (0(
Next up. pierced organ??
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PASSENAL
Perfect timing . what in gods name is going on with the ladies team. AW OUT …. (0(
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TEAM SPIRIT
” are we safe? ” hahaha. good question.
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What ever happened to his rabid sidekick GErekOFF??
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Thanks for your comments! Really glad that you like this article) sorry for gramma, it’s not so easy to translate something from heart to another language)
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EKATARINA the great.
You did well and always welcome to the group. esposibe.
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Eastern Ukraine??
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Goonerkam, thank you
My surname is ukrainian style, but I’m not from Ukraine, I’m from Russia
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Russia you say ! Do you love Andrey as I do ?
If you do this might be just up your street https://positivelyarsenal.com/2013/04/12/oh-andrey-dont-leave-me-this-way/
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Russian GUNNERS!!!
gota love it…..
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good article about Arshavin, pedantic george. I agree that he is not lazy, but, you know, russian players don’t used to play in such intense rhythm. They can be excellent for 2-3 games, but then become worse and worse. And if you were a manager you will prefer to choose players who can deal with such intensity. There was 4 russian players in EPL after Euro-2008, all of them came back. I think Andrey had some psychological problems. I think also that russian players are a bit unprofessional with their approach. Thanks God Fabio Capello came to Russia. He really tries to make our players better.
And also after Euro-2012 Arshavin has very bad relationships with fans. Actually the whole national team was poor, but Andrey said something that he shouldn’t have said. Fans turned away from the team and only Capello amended the situation.
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Nice one there LOJ. Like you I never felt Hull would beat us but boy, what a game!
What a game!
I will always love the lil Cherub AA23.
What a character!
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Thanks so much for this epic piece, Ekaterina. I like the thought that a celestial script-writer earmarked Aaron to step forward and seal the deal. Reward at last for all he and his manager have endured. It is the bond between team and coach, player and manager that turns good teams into great ones. That is why I think this cup-winning side will go on to take their place in the pantheon of legendary Gunner sides.
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The writing has passion; well Ekatarina!
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A very nice account of the what was going through the mind of most gooners.
I was praying loud into the ears of every gooner around me when watching the Final for a Ramsey winner and God was so good that he answered my prayers. I wanted Ramsey to score the goal so that those who were actually criticising both the lad and the manager will at least have eggs on their face. But you know what, the narrative changed from Ramsey not being fit to wear the Arsenal jersey to he was good bt not ready. All of a sudden he’s ready and even too good for Arsenal so should get a transfer to a “bigger” club where he can win trophies consistently. I weep for quite a number of people because they are what they are (F**LS).
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This one i also enjoyed…
http://89thminute.co.uk/2014/05/21/the-clarke-end-an-fa-cup-adventure-well-never-forget/
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New old post is up
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