Arsenal's cup forever?

13 April 2012

Arsenal's already firm grip on the FA Cup may become permanent under a plan being considered by the Football Association.

The ruling body are reportedly meeting to discuss letting the Gunners keep the world's most famous domestic trophy if they win the competition for a third successive season. A decision will be made before the semi-finals.

Holders Arsenal must first win away at either Liverpool or Portsmouth in the last eight next month if they are to become the first club to appear in four consecutive finals.

Arsenal have not lost in 18 consecutive ties, dating back to Liverpool's victory in the 2001 final. Arsene Wenger's team beat Chelsea in 2002 and Southampton last season.

Soho Square sources believe it will give the Cup a massive boost if Arsene Wenger's team have an added incentive to match Blackburn Rovers' achievement of three successive Cup wins in the 1880s and Manchester United's overall record of 10 Cup successes.

If Arsenal are to make it to Cardiff, it appears as if they are going to have to do it the hard way. They have already seen off Chelsea, Middlesbrough and Leeds in this season's competition and face another trip to Premiership opposition.

But they were still in trouble at the FA yesterday when goalkeeper Jens Lehmann was fined £10,000 following an incident with Southampton's Kevin Phillips in December.

Lehmann was charged with improper conduct for throwing the ball at the back of Phillips' head at the end of the Premiership clash at St Mary's. The German, who pleaded guilty to the charge, was also warned as to his future conduct.

Meanwhile, John Terry has revealed his frustration at Chelsea's continuing inability to beat Arsenal. Chelsea have not beaten their London rivals in 15 attempts since 1998 and Terry was filled with despair following Sunday's FA Cup defeat at Highbury.

Claudio Ranieri's side have an immediate opportunity to gain revenge when Arsenal travel to Stamford Bridge in the Premiership on Saturday and Terry is confident they can end a desperate run.

The England defender told Chelsea TV: 'I just wanted the ground to eat me up and it was the same with the other boys as well, we were just deflated.

Honestly it's doing my head in, we keep coming here and not being able to beat them. We've got them next week in the league and that's what we've got to look towards, we've got to beat them at home now. I'm just gutted. Next time, next time.'

Terry believes Chelsea can take heart from aspects of Sunday's game and is adamant they have the ability to beat Arsenal. Ranieri's side lead through Adrian Mutu before a stunning brace from Jose Reyes ended their hopes.

Terry added: 'We were the better team before the equaliser. I think in the first half we were all over them, I know they had a couple of chances but as a defender I didn't feel like they were going to score or break us down. (Frank) Lampard, (Claude) Makelele and Scott (Parker) were working brilliantly in midfield, putting a lot of pressure on them and that worked out brilliantly for us.

'We were the better side until they scored. Then they got on top after that and they do it well to be fair. As the manager was saying we are a lot fitter than them and if we had kept going like that I'm sure they wouldn't have liked it.'

Manager Ranieri was less pleased with his team's performance and said: 'You cannot make any mistakes against Arsenal. We were nervous and anxious. Now I want to see my players show great will and a fantastic mentality, we need this now.'

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