When Arsenal come out onto the hallowed Wembley turf for today’s FA Cup final with Hull City, they will be battling to exorcise painful memories of nine trophyless seasons and secure a golden future.
The north London side have become a recurring joke in English football, the glamour boys proving all style and no substance.
Few could have thought when talisman Patrick Vieira buried the winning penalty against Manchester United in 2005’s event that his last kick for the club would signal the end of the glory days.
Returning to trophy-winning ways is not all that is at stake, with manager Arsene Wenger’s contract – which expires next week – still not renewed.
The Frenchman has insisted the weekend result will play no role in his plans, rejecting rumours of a return to Monaco.
A near decade of disappointment has created caverns on the 64-year-old’s haggard face.
Will the desire to extend his 18-year tenure really withstand another embarrassing final loss, to compare with the 2011 League Cup setback to lesser lights Birmingham City?
Jose Mourinho’s jibe that Wenger has become a “specialist in failure” was cruel, but defeat will provide ample ammuntion.
The purse strings have finally loosened after the enforced austerity caused by the draining Emirates Stadium construction, with Mesut Ozil’s club record £42.4 million (Dh262.5m) summer arrival a sea change in spending habits.
The sight of captain Mikel Arteta raising the storied FA Cup trophy could start a new era, convincing Wenger he is still the right man.
A pivotal moment in Arsenal’s history is upon them.
