Arsene Wenger has built an Arsenal side worthy of Premier League title challenge
A YEAR ago Arsene Wenger's future was under threat. Eight minutes into the 2014 FA Cup Final against Hull, it looked even more precarious as Arsenal trailed 2-0.
Arsene Wenger celebrates winning back-to-back FA Cups on an open-top bus ride
The outcome was one of the most memorable finals in recent history, as Arsenal came back to win 3-2 and secure their first trophy in nine years.
Fast forward to eight minutes into this year's final. By that moment Arsenal were already so much in control against a hapless Aston Villa that it was a case of when, not if, they would score.
By the finish, Arsenal were the greatest team in FA Cup history and Wenger being hailed as a record-equalling FA Cup-winning manager.
As the celebrations went on behind him, and as Wenger walked arms aloft towards the massed ranks of Arsenal fans, one of his players summed it up.
"Relaxed" was the word used by midfielder Jack Wilshere to describe his manager.
It might not have shown in Wenger's face as the cameras panned on him during the game, but something had changed. The pressure was not as intense as a year ago.
It did not matter that Aston Villa did not show up - because Arsenal did, with as good a performance as they have produced all season.
It is why Wenger believes that this win, plus a vastly improved second half of the season, shows that Arsenal can now move on and produce at long last a real title challenge next season.
Wenger proud, Sherwood feeling sick [AMBIENT]
Of course he has said that before, but this time he may have healthier flesh to put on those bones - especially if he buys well in the coming weeks. Arsenal looked balanced and confident; they looked as if they brooked nothing less than victory.
Theo Walcott, Alexis Sanchez, Per Mertesacker and Olivier Giroud scored the goals - but it could have been anyone as Arsenal won the FA Cup for a 12th time and Wenger for the sixth time.
What is the difference? "We are mentality stronger as a team," said Wenger.
"We have seen that since January. We have made progress on the mental side, on mastering our games and being less naive, better balanced and knowing what to do. It is intelligence.
"We have to show that next season and we want to do it. We have moved forward.
GETTY
Alexis Sanchez lifts the FA Cup trophy
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"People think always it's about buying, but it's just as much about cohesion. Cohesion is a very important factor that is underrated.
"We have to keep that cohesion and maybe add quality. But the quality we have to add is in short numbers. We were in a bad position in January. We were seventh and there were not many predicting we would finish like this."
Arsenal ended the Premier League season in third place and the next step is to challenge Chelsea and Manchester City in pursuit of the title.
The changes planned to achieve that aim are the bringing in of top class goalkeeper, perhaps Chelsea's Petr Cech, a defensive midfielder like Morgan Schneiderlin, another striker and a top quality centre back - there is still doubt about this defence against the elite teams. If he secures such targets, Wenger may well have a title challenging team on his hands.
Alexis Sanchez Player Profile
He has vowed to keep Walcott and Wilshere, and in players like Santi Cazorla, man of the match on Saturday, Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey, he has talent in abundance.
But the Frenchman has to spend and traditionally, he has an aversion to opening his club's pockets. But it could be that at long last, those visions of a rosy future are beginning to look as though they are based on more solid foundations.
