Mikel Arteta Confident FA Cup Win Will Start Arsenal Dynasty
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta believes victory in Saturday's FA Cup final against Hull City will snatch the club's season from the jaws of failure and spark a dynasty in north London.
Without a major trophy since 2005, the Gunners are looking to set the record straight at Wembley after a season which began with faint hopes of winning the Premier League title and ended with securing Champions League qualification for a 17<sup>th consecutive year.
But Arteta says that Arsenal's season during which they have closed the gap to the summit domestically will only constitute success if they have silverware to show for it.
"Of course [success this season hinges on winning the FA Cup]," Arteta stated. "When you win a trophy or you don't win one, it is very different for us.
"With the history we have in the last eight or nine years without any trophies at all so obviously it will be a great turning point so we know that it is it is everything else behind the trophy and what it can mean for the fans and for the club.
"Compared what we did last season and the season before we killed ourselves [in the Premier League] because we had two or three really bad results against the big teams away from home but in the cup we have the chance to put it right.
"It's only going to get harder [to win trophies] with the teams in the Champions League who are not even in the final so it's going to be harder. Next season the competition for the Champions League is going to be massive. Two or three teams are going to be out. That's a horrible situation but that's going to happen and that's why every season you need to improve and get better.
"When you get to that line and you win, I think it creates a lot of confidence, it builds something special. It builds something between the players, the staff and the fans and suddenly you have the Community Shield to play with another opportunity to win a trophy so that is why the final is something else than just a trophy."
Though Arteta predicts a bright future for Arsenal should they earn victory this weekend, the Spaniard is not yet assured to play a full part of it.
The 32 year old is out of contract in the summer of 2015 and is expected to become the latest victim of Arsenal's policy of only offering one-year deals to their aging stars – a rule which currently sees Bacary Sagna stalling over agreeing an extension.
Hopeful of earning a new deal he might be, but Arteta is also open to the possibility of being surplus to requirements at the Emirates Stadium.
"I don't know what is going to happen," he added. "I will speak with the manager and see what his thoughts are. I know the history of this club with players over the age of 30. I don't know if they're going to change it or maintain it. So depending what they're decision is I will give them my opinion and how I see it.
"I will talk to them this summer. I am only going to stay if they really want me. If they predict that I cannot perform I will be the first one to say that you have kids here that are 20, 21; it's time to move on. They are not going to have a problem.
"Because of the age I do not value any of the players whether it is Rosicky or Jack Wilshere; I analyse many other things before age.
"Age for the club can be an asset but for me a much bigger asset is someone who has played over 125 games in three years compared to someone who has played 25 if he is 20 years old. That's my opinion. I understand the club's point of view. I understand I am not a £25m because I am not 22 anymore but I know what else I can give."
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