Taken one way it came across arrogant and sanctimonious, suggesting silverware meant less to others, and it felt specifically pointed at the all-conquering Manchester City and the steps they had taken to become English football’s dominant force.
“Looking back on this era, although they’ve won more titles than us and have probably been more successful, our trophies will mean more to us and our fanbase because of the situations at both clubs, financially.”
Alexander-Arnold’s words left a mark, with City responding “THIS MEANS FOUR” across social media – each word surrounded by trophy emojis – after making it a record four straight Premier League titles.
THIS MEANS FOUR
Contrast that with the scenes in Newcastle last month and we witnessed less is more in action. A first trophy in 70 years was always going to celebrated in numbers – 300,000 Geordies reportedly taking to the streets – and in this regard even losing finalists Liverpool realised this Carabao Cup really did mean more to the generations of Newcastle supporters who had waited for something, anything, to happen on the big stage.
City are the villains of the FA Cup semi-finals, the only club left for whom this trophy would be a ripple in the ocean, so is it really wrong to suggest it means more to Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest?
“When winning becomes a habit over a prolonged period of time, some of the excitement can dissipate. Plus, it’s nice to see some variety once in a while, right?!”
The wait for a major trophy
Aston Villa
Last FA Cup: 1957 Last FA Cup final: 2015 Last major trophy: 1996Crystal Palace
Last FA Cup: Never Last FA Cup final: 2016 Last major trophy: NeverManchester City
Last FA Cup: 2023 Last FA Cup final: 2024 Last major trophy: 2024Nottingham Forest
Last FA Cup: 1959 Last FA Cup final: 1991 Last major trophy: 1990Leicester are also the only non-Big Six side to make the final in the last five years, with Palace and Villa among the recent “smaller” clubs to have reached previous finals and lost.
In many ways it would cap it off, even though the end isn’t in sight, as tangible proof that life under Emery really is as good as it has been for decades. A first major trophy since 1996, a first FA Cup since 1957, and a memory shared between the generations that remember the early 1980s and those who have only known near-misses and years in the shadows since.
And for Palace? Truly, this means even more. This club is the beating heart of a community, a point of pride in south London, and after falling just short in the 1990 and 2016 FA Cup finals, this squad know their place in folklore awaits.
A first-ever major trophy would undoubtedly go down as the biggest moment in this club’s history, and while there are murals of Wilfried Zaha and Eberechi Eze already, you can only imagine the side of every house within a stone’s throw of Selhurst Park has plans to immortalise a feat that is once more, enticingly, within their grasp.
Your next read
square FOOTBALLFears Liverpool fans being offered £1k tickets in Spurs end for title party
square FOOTBALLHow Liverpool won the Premier League title without overspending
square FOOTBALLVilla, Forest, Newcastle? Our experts predict who will make the top five
square FOOTBALLThe six moments that cost Arsenal the Premier League title
“Winning the FA Cup would mean a lot, maybe more than usual,” City fan Luke Stanley says.
City will not care, therefore, that on three fronts there is a chance for legends to be made and for those beyond even Forest, Palace and Villa to be reminded of why we fell in love with football.
It would dispel the magic of the FA Cup for another season, but it would be very City, who have no regard for the other storylines. And nor should they.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Why neutrals want anyone but Man City to win the FA Cup )
Also on site :