This was the image towards the end of our previous final:-

Next month when we play on the same stage, albeit at a different stadium, this team are determined that picture won’t be replicated across the back pages the following day. They have worked to get to their first Wembley final in a long, long time and if the attitude and determination of the players last night is anything to go by it will be a successful one.

It is about time that we managed to get to another final and there will be no better chance to do that than on Feb 27th at Wembley.

I thought it was fitting that two of the most maligned players had a big affect on the outcome of the game, Arshavin and Bendtner. Quite a lot of the flak that they cop is justified - attitudes may be questionable, work rates certainly. But the quality of the players should never be in doubt regardless of their form.

Bendtner is no winger, the fact he is playing there our of position means that his somewhat ungainly style is exposed. He is effective, scores goals and wins games. Nothing more than that really.

What a goal he scored though, coming in from the right (though being no winger), the control was sublime, the trickery slick and the finish class.

It was a goal of undoubted quality; criticise him for his work ethic, his ego, his comments in the press – but praise him for scoring the critical goal in the game. It had a feeling of one of those nights where nothing would go for us. Something pretty special was needed from someone and Bendtner did what he does best and by hook or by crook grabbed a goal.

It certainly shut up a few of the people sitting behind me.

Andrey Arshavin – for a player badly short of form – still chipped in with two assists and his perseverance led to the corner he took for Koscielny to get the all important second goal to put us ahead in the tie. He certainly seems to have upped his work-rate from a few weeks ago and whilst he is far from the workhorse many fans would like,  it is certainly an improvement. People shouting ‘**** off back to Russia’ need to get a grip, though. Obviously missing the ‘support’ part in the word ‘supporter’.

As Cesc has said since, the final isn’t of great importance now and there are a number of very important games before the game at Wembley in nearly exactly a month.

This will be the picture we want to see on Feb 28th on the back pages. Our last victorious moment at Wembley. If they summon the determination that led us to the double in this season:-

There is no better lift for the run-in than lifting a trophy. For Arsenal to lift themselves to the heights they were at six years ago they need to win silver pots – this is one, and this chance can’t be missed.

The Arsenal are at Wembley once again.