FA Cup Arsenal´s chance to end trophy drought

5 January 2013 11:07

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger concedes he is irritated by being forced to "watch other people win" as the Gunners' trophy drought drags on.

Wenger has called for his side to respond appropriately when they face Swansea in the FA Cup third round, as they look to make amends for their 2-0 home defeat suffered at the hands of the Welsh club earlier in the season - and bolster their chances of winning their first trophy in eight years.

After the club missed out on qualifying for the semi-final of the Capital One Cup, losing to Bradford City in a dramatic penalty shoot-out, the pressure has increased on the Frenchman as he looks to bring silverware back to the Emirates.

Wenger himself has admitted his frustration with the club's trophy drought.

"It bothers me [not to win trophies], of course it bothers me because I’m not here to watch other people win trophies," he told the Arsenal website.

"I think it is an important moment of the season for us, to strengthen the confidence of the team.

"We feel we are on a good run but how far can we go? To win in the FA Cup will strengthen us.

"For us it’s important to show continuity and consistency and the FA Cup is part of that. To get people to believe more in the team it’s important that we win on Sunday."

Despite Wenger's ambition to go all the way in the cup, he understands that the Gunners will face tough opposition on Sunday in the light of that dispiriting loss to Michael Laudrup's side on December 1.

"They had a very good game [at the Emirates Stadium]. We have to give them a different response on Sunday," Wenger said.

Swansea host Arsenal on Sunday afternoon at the Liberty Stadium.