With league hopes extinguished, Arsenal to seek FA Cup redemption

Zee Media Bureau/Jayanta Oinam

London: After the 0-6 humbling at Stamford Bridge, a soul-searching Arsenal were subjected to more humiliation at home against a struggling Swansea side. And sadly, it`s end of the road for Arsenal. The 2-2 draw at Emirates Stadium, thanks to a stoppage time own-goal from an otherwise impressive Mathieu Flamini, effectively extinguished their ambitious dream of lifting the league trophy, they last won in 2004. The match showed glimpses of Arsenal brilliance but, errors in crucial moments cost them valuable two points. With seven games left in the season for the London club, it is almost impossible to chase Chelsea, on 69 points and Manchester City, on 66 points with two matches in hand. Gunners` 63 points after their 31 games is also two behind Liverpool`s 65 from 30 games. So, it`s a certainty that Arsene Wenger and his boys are no more in contention for the title. Besides the impending league débâcle, their reputation of being a Champions League regular is also seemed to be a hit after the draw against the Wales side. Another London club, Everton are hot on their heels, and now Toffees are only six points behind but more importantly with a game in hand. What`s more troubling for Wenger is, in their next two fixtures Gunners will play Manchester City on March 29 and Everton on April 06. Both the teams are in red-hot form, winning their recent matches. Now, their only redemption lies in the FA Cup. Arsenal will play the defending champions and giant-killers, Wigan Athletic – who have shocked Manchester City twice within a span of 12 months in their semi-final. The April 12 match at Wembley will have a bigger bearing on deciding Wenger`s future at the Emirates. Interestingly, their last title was the 2005 FA Cup.