Sunday, May 18, 2014

FINALLY! After 3,283 days and 512 games, Arsenal claim a trophy with extra-time win... and Wenger confirms he will sign new deal

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2631595/FINALLY-After-3-283-days-512-games-Arsenal-claim-trophy-extra-time-win-Wenger-confirms-sign-new-deal.html


By JOE BERNSTEIN

And after the celebrations were over, the Frenchman ended speculation about his future by signalling he would sign a new contract to extend his 18-year reign at the club.
‘This should normally happen — and we are in very normal circumstances,’ he smiled as he toasted his record-equalling fifth FA Cup triumph. ‘It was never a question of leaving, only doing what is right for this club.’
Going nowhere: Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has confirmed he will be staying on as manager
Going nowhere: Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has confirmed he will be staying on as manager
Shower time: Lukas Podolski of pours beer over Wenger after their FA Cup win
Shower time: Lukas Podolski of pours beer over Wenger after their FA Cup win
Wenger, cruelly dubbed a ‘specialist in failure’ by Jose Mourinho earlier this season, watched first in horror and then ecstasy as his team fell 2-0 down but hit back to win with an extra-time strike by Aaron Ramsey. 
It was the manager’s 512th game since his last trophy in 2005 and England manager Roy Hodgson will hope the comeback is an omen. The last time a similar FA Cup final recovery occurred, when  Everton beat Sheffield Wednesday, Bobby Moore went on to lift the World Cup.
Arsenal were initially stunned as underdogs Hull, chasing the first trophy in their 110-year history, struck twice inside eight minutes through James Chester and Curtis Davies.
Silver service: Manager Arsene Wenger pictured lifting the FA Cup much to the delight of his Arsenal players
Silver service: Manager Arsene Wenger pictured lifting the FA Cup much to the delight of his Arsenal players
But a fantastic free-kick by Santi Cazorla and an equaliser by Laurent Koscielny took the game into extra-time during which Ramsey scored after 109 minutes following Olivier Giroud’s backheel. Per Mertesacker tipped champagne over Wenger who was given ‘the bumps’ by his players.
Hull boss Steve Bruce said: ‘We showed tremendous courage.’
'I couldn't ask more from my players. The vast majority are ones that got us out the Championship,' Bruce said. 
'It could have been a memorable season. In terms of effort and determination you couldn't fault them, we didn’t have enough but I'm proud, they were magnificent.
'Their first goal wasn't a free-kick, the second one wasn't a corner. But now is not the time to whine. We had a wonderful opportunity.
Match winner: Aaron Ramsey scored the crucial goal which saw Arsenal win the FA Cup
Match winner: Aaron Ramsey scored the crucial goal which saw Arsenal win the FA Cup
Relief: Jack Wilshere celebrates winning the FA Cup with Arsenal
Relief: Jack Wilshere celebrates winning the FA Cup with Arsenal
Pride: Hull boss Steve Bruce praised the efforts of his team, despite losing to Arsenal in the FA Cup final
Pride: Hull boss Steve Bruce praised the efforts of his team, despite losing to Arsenal in the FA Cup final

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