Arsene Wenger has had a fair bit of criticism the last few seasons for losing ground on Premiership's elite clubs but come January every year the distraction of the FA cup always seems to bring out the best from his sides.
After beating Hull in last years competition Wenger has been in the final 6 times and picked up the Old Lady 5 times in 18 seasons and losing just the 1 final.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1GIerbqFpx7374pbblY-6XCP7ICJYUt9thrqqtwr4Avc/pubhtml
Wenger only this week has admitted that his intent on winning the oldest trophy in football has in his opinion had a detrimental effect on progressing in the Champions League.
Arsenal surely must fancy the chances of retaining the cup as many of the Premiership clubs have already been dumped out by lower league opposition, Arsenal's next opponents however should not be underestimated, Middlesbrough sit top of the Championship and after knocking out City in round 4 they will be brimming with confidence at the moment.
If Arsene was to retain it he'd level FA cup managerial honours with George Ramsay who sits solo as a 6 time winner with Aston Villa in 1887, 1895, 1897, 1905, 1913, 1920.
Depending on the draw Arsenal or Liverpool are surely odds on to make the final and considering both have hopes of progressing in Europe it will still be a tough ask.
One thing is for sure 18 FA cups and winning 5 is quite astonishing considering the quality around these days.
The Premiership should not be the only thing we use to decide if a manager is successful or not but unfortunately due to media and money pressure put on clubs and managers it seems that to some the Old Lady has little or no impact on determining if you've had a good season or not.
To the true football fan nothing's better than the romance of the FA cup on a valentines weekend.
Semper Fidelis
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