Will the FA Cup semi-final give Arsenal the confidence to end on a high?

Over Arsène Wenger's 21 years at the club Arsenal has increased their love affair with the FA Cup practically doubling their total cup final wins. How fitting then that a change in Arsenal's fortunes should come in the world's oldest cup competition. For the odds were against Arsenal having turned against us for most of the second half of this season. Arsenal's confidence seemed to be at an all time low following two 5-1 defeats against Bayern Munich and things were only going to get worse.
Three away losses in the Premier League to Liverpool, West Brom and Crystal Palace secured Arsenal's worst away streak since 1929. For weeks there was little to cheer or to motivate the fans. A well-fought draw against Manchester City and a comprehensive 3-0 win over West Ham did little to restore the faith. The scepticism was proven warranted when Arsenal allowed the Eagles to trounce them by three goals without reply, prompting the fans to send a clear message to the players: "You're not fit to wear the shirt."
All hopes of the title were dashed weeks before but the latest run of results has practically secured a place above Arsenal for our jubilantly ascendant neighbours and made a 21st consecutive top four finish incredibly unlikely. The FA Cup remained Arsenal's final hope of ending the season on a high. Continuing with the new formation that steadied the ship against Middlesbrough, Arsenal went in to the semi-final against City with a speck of restored belief and a well-fought win that showed a lot of what Arsenal had been lacking: drive and determination.
Talking to reporters at his pre-match press conference Wenger said he believed the first goal would be decisive. This was reflected in the first half as the Gunners started cautiously - perhaps too much so as they found themselves on the back foot - with Alexis & Özil dropping deep and Giroud lacking in support in attack. Chances to snatch the first goal were had on both sides but the first 45 ended goalless.
The second half showed a different Arsenal, a more interesting Arsenal. The approach was totally different to the first half and you could see the passion for their work oozing from the Arsenal players. They were determined, organised and enjoyable to watch. The first 15 minutes of the second half gave you the sense Arsenal would grab that vital first goal but alas it was City who struck first. A quick counter-attack saw the ball whizz from the edge of City's box to Sergio Aguero who sprung clear towards Arsenal's goal unimpeded to lob the ball past Cech.
Dream gone. Another chance at a trophy lost. Or so many of us thought. However, Arsenal are no strangers to comebacks and there should always be hope. Less than 10 minutes had passed before Arsenal grabbed their equaliser. Oxlade-Chamberlain was given too much time and room on the ball and fired an accurate cross towards the inside of the penalty box. Monreal arrived with perfect precision to admirably pull Arsenal level with a crisp strike with his right foot. What a moment. Game on.
Both teams had chances to steal the match in normal time but the score remained equal and extra-time was required. There was a worry that Arsenal would get through extra-time only to lose on penalties but Alexis saved those fears with an instinctive goal from a corner via the head of Koscielny after Welbeck has mishit the ball.
Oxlade-Chamberlain put in a man of the match performance and has found some continuity and maturity to his game. Arsenal must make it a priority to keep him beyond his current contract. Arsenal's new wing-back aside perhaps the biggest positive for Arsenal was how well Gabriel and Holding played. There is now a sense that Arsenal can keep a clean sheet, entertain and pick up vital victories. It is a shame that Arsenal took so long to find themselves but the fans will be pleased to see their team actually playing decent football again.
The win was a huge relief and have given Arsenal and the fans something to look forward to. Chelsea await us in the final and they are probably the biggest obstacle we could face but we are starting to get some belief back and a good league finish should put us in the frame for a record 14th win. Arsenal managed to carry over some of this determination to the win over Leicester and now they just have to do it in every game until the end of the season. Our top four hopes are not dead yet. Tottenham are the stiffest opposition we will face and with Manchester United still to play and Liverpool without Sadio Mané we have every chance of finishing in the top four. It's just about within our own hands; we just need to apply ourselves.
Come on Arsenal!
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