Rivalries between London-based clubs have always been fierce, and when it comes to the Reds and the Blues going against each other, it always is do-or-die. Friendlies are more than just friendlies, and league clashes are more than only periodic fixtures when Arsenal and Chelsea meet. What makes this more interesting is that it sparks the everlasting debate of whether London is red or blue yet again.
Arsenal faced Chelsea at Wembley this Saturday in a FA Cup final that was meant to be paramount for the Reds. Things could go any way and said, Arsenal’s project under Mikel Arteta hung in the balance. If Arsenal won this fixture, things would go as per, and if they fell to Frank Lampard’s Chelsea, things would get more complicated than they’d look to the general audience.
In his first final as a manager, Mikel Arteta managed to get the better of Frank Lampard as Arsenal won 2-1 to lift their 14th FA Cup. As it has often been for Arteta and Arsenal, the differentiating factor was Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – the most prolific attacker at Wembley on Saturday afternoon. Coming into Wembley as the underdogs despite defeating his previous work spot Manchester City, a loss for Arsenal would’ve been much severe than what it has been for Chelsea after the defeat. A win for Chelsea could’ve done acute damage to Arsenal that had the potential to last seasons to come for the Gunners.
As we continue to see the Gunners celebrating all over the world, let’s look at some factors that make this victory more rewarding than it seems for Arsenal.
A convincing ground for Aubameyang to stay
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been carrying the Gunners on his back for quite some time now. Arsene Wenger’s last signing has been the main go-to man for Arsenal, with Arsenal’s star playmaker Mesut Özil finding himself in an on-and-off situation in recent years be it under Unai Emery or Mikel Arteta now. Fortunately, Arsenal have a player that consistently scores to cover their deep-rooted problems day in and day out, and the former-Dortmund man’s stats say it all – 54 goals in 85 league appearances.
Aubameyang’s stint for Arsenal is more vital than it seems. The Gabonese star carries the same stature that Henry gave in his days at Highbury, but the main difference that separates these two in front of standard evaluation is their time of existence. Aubameyang carries a side that’s still trying to get hold of things after Wenger, and that itself stands an enormous challenge. Under Arteta, Arsenal have hopes of re-building and want to create a long project under the former captain.
For Aubameyang, it has been a career that has taken him anywhere from France to Germany. He’s already 31 and still lies without a domestic title in his cupboard. It is now up to Aubameyang to decide if he considers himself a part of Arteta’s project or not, as the clock is ticking rapidly for Arsenal’s talismanic forward. The FA Cup victory has, somehow, made Aubameyang consider a contract renewal, if not, has given him a more significant negotiating power. We could’ve seen Aubameyang considering to leave Arsenal with European football happening at the Emirates, but things look good, at least for now.
Similarly, Arteta’s man-management has worked well for the Gunners. Seeing the post-match emotions that the side shared including a brief Arteta-Aubameyang moment, the positivity and Aubameyang’s chances of staying at the Emirates have definitely risen.
Another boost for Arteta’s project
Imagine the scenario that we’d see if Chelsea had lifted the Heads Up FA Cup on Saturday. In addition to an eighth-place league finish, Arsenal would’ve missed a European spot, and chances of their best player leaving would skyrocket, ultimately putting an enormous amount of pressure under Mikel Arteta. Fortunately, Gunners emerged victorious and see-sawed all their fears into advantages.
Anyone that has followed Arterta’s half-season as the Arsenal boss knows what Arteta needs to do is much more than a typical managerial task. For the project to be sustainable and prosperous, Arteta needs time and recruitment. With this FA Cup win, Arteta has convinced the board that his plan is underway, and is worthy of putting out some money in the transfer market. Europa League place will bring cash to the Emirates and keep the faith on the team, which Arteta will use for his good for the next season. It’ll be up to Arteta now, whether he has plans to bring established players to aim for the top-four next season or will go for a longer route with his exceptional youths coming up the ranks.
Heads up high for Arsenal
Arteta’s tenure has been exceptional if we take out this final win as well, but this will be a catalyst for his build and for him to work as per his plans. Arsenal have already displayed some giant-killing instincts under Arteta, defeating Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool and Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in quick successions. What matters the most is, the intent with which Arsenal will head out next season will be a positive one.
Manchester United have struggled more than seven years to find a place after Sir Alex Ferguson finished his legendary spell. In Arsenal’s case, Mikel Arteta’s stint has shown they may be on-road to cover up their post-Wenger era relatively quicker, yet the process will still take time. The re-build under Arteta has already started showing promise, and it will only get better if Arsenal allow themselves to be patient. This victory has done just that, filled Arsenal with confidence in the man that donned their arm-band a few years ago.
And above all, Arsenal have put Spurs’ Europa spot in doubt. This victory has put them in place to announce their re-build with their heads held up high against both their elite city rivals.
Job’s not done and dusted for Mikel Arteta yet, but this will be a kick-off to the empire he aspires to build at the Emirates. In case of a stumble against Chelsea, Mikel Arteta could’ve been lost to nowhere, and this wouldn’t be the first time we would’ve seen a Mikel race against time. But, this Mikel was smart enough to avoid getting lost in the DARK…