Arsene Wenger fell in love with the FA Cup even before the last time Aston Villa won the trophy.
And the 65-year-old has a chance to rewrite the history books today by becoming the first post-war manager to win it six times.
But his affection for English football’s oldest trophy was born in 1955 when at the age of five he would stare in wonder at the immaculate Wembley pitch on the only TV in his French village of Duttlenheim.
The last of Villa’s seven FA Cup wins was in 1957, by which time Wenger was fascinated with English football, England and learning English.
“I remember when I was a kid I watched the FA Cup Final in my village,” he said.
“We had to bring 100 francs to watch the television. Old francs. What was 100 at the time is 1 today.
“Everybody in the village could watch the television at the school. That was in 1955, 56, when there was no television at home. The first television I got at home was when I was 15.
“I remember Bobby Moore. I don’t remember the teams, but I remember the white ball. Because we played on fields, what was amazing for me was to see the pitch at Wembley, the grass, it was unusual for us to see a pitch of that quality.
“And the ball rolling. We were used to seeing the ball bouncing over the pitch.
“The first time I came to England was during the summer when I was 29 to learn English at Cambridge University.
“But the second time I came was to watch Liverpool against Manchester United. I was already a manager, so it must be around 1984 or 1985.
“I was 29 and I didn’t want to die without learning English as I felt I always wanted to have an international life and I thought it would be impossible.”
Wenger’s memory can be patchy and he must have got Moore mixed up. But then this is the man who, despite sharing the post-war record of five FA Cup wins with Sir Alex Ferguson, cannot remember where many of his medals are.
That is not to suggest he does not take the FA Cup seriously. Since his first day in England he has enjoyed the competition as he was obsessed by English football.
“It’s quite strange because I've played six finals and the one we deserved to win most was the one we lost,” said Wenger. “It was against Liverpool (in 2001) when Henchoz saved the ball in the first minute with his hand.
“The FA Cup is a massive achievement and a massive trophy. But I’m not a collection man. I’m always focused on what’s next.
“I don’t know where they (medals) are. I think the guys who come and clean the house, they come and take them. I’ve given some to charity.”
While Wenger’s cleaners enjoy the fruits of his labours, last year’s FA Cup success provided respite amid the pressure surrounding his future and Arsenal having gone nine years without a trophy.
Training day - Arsenal prepare for the FA Cup:
This time, they are holders, favourites again after coming from 2-0 down against Hull last year to win 3-2 in extra time. Wenger believes his players will have learned a lot from that experience before they face Aston Villa.
“I was thinking it was a nightmare day against Hull,” said Wenger. “The fans came full of hope and after 10 minutes we are 2-0 down. It could have been three but Gibbs headed off the line.
“With the pressure on it was really a nightmare. I was ready to fight until the end. You knew you need a goal and certainly Santi Cazorla’s free-kick was very important.
“After that it was important to keep the players calm and not rush the game. Just be patient, come back to 2-2.
“We have learned a lot from last season and let’s show that on Saturday.”
In pictures - Last year's FA Cup final:
