Would you rather win the FA cup/EL or qualify for the CL?

The Wigan thread made me think about this. Which would you choose?

For me its CL.

is that a queston?
CL

CL for me as well.

The respect and fame it has given us in Europe over the last 13 years. We can attract the best players, and to play in the 2nd best competition in the world. It's CL for me

But it doesn't have to be either of the two for us. It should be both

Like the old times

I wouldn't mind winning the EL. To me, it's no mickey mouse trophy. I'd just hope that in that scenario we finished in the top 4 to make the CL the next year...

I prefer the EL the trophy in the cabinet first then we get to champion league following season

I prefer the EL the trophy in the cabinet first then we get to champion league following season
and there wont be 8 years without trophy slang again

Put it this way, had Wigan stayed up, no top players would flock to them because they won the FA cup

CL for sure...

But don't worry the trophies are coming, we'll be winning them soon.

For a small town club with less resources, domestic cups matter more than staying up, a la Birmingham and Wigan.

For a creme de la creme club, a la Arsenal, the consistency and CL qualification will define the transfers and the way forward, not Europa League or Carling Cup.

The levels of expectation are markedly different. Thats what makes them super clubs.

But, don't you want to attract top players in order to WIN A TROPHY ??? (and not 4th place one)


what's the point of having top players if you don't aim to win anything ....

Harry Redknapp wrote:But, don't you want to attract top players in order to WIN A TROPHY ??? (and not 4th place one)


what's the point of having top players if you don't aim to win anything ....

Well I suppose the aim is to win the league or CL or FA without having to finish outside top 4 to do it.

I'd sacrifice one season of no CL to win the FA Cup just to get that 8 years no trophy monkey off of our backs.. and to focus on the league alone the next season. But not everyone thinks that way, and thats ok.

I know some believe that no CL means no top signings, that making CL is like oxygen to us or w/e but I think thats a bit of nonsense. Arsenal doesn't stop being arsenal after one year of finishing outside top 4. It would eventually really hurt to be out of it for several years in a row, but that seems like a different question to me.

Its all about the money, which we have. And if we are willing to spend it then the players will come.

Harry Redknapp wrote:But, don't you want to attract top players in order to WIN A TROPHY ??? (and not 4th place one)


what's the point of having top players if you don't aim to win anything ....

We obviously aim to win something ..

Harry Redknapp wrote:But, don't you want to attract top players in order to WIN A TROPHY ??? (and not 4th place one)


what's the point of having top players if you don't aim to win anything ....

Sepi, I dont consider FA Cup, EL and Carling cup a trophy. I have been waiting for a trophy so long that none of them will replace CL football for me.

Only CL or EPL trophies I look forward to.

We have been making CL for so long that, that I cant go with out it, I can go without a FA cup for another 100 years.

Raptorgunner wrote:

Harry Redknapp wrote:But, don't you want to attract top players in order to WIN A TROPHY ??? (and not 4th place one)


what's the point of having top players if you don't aim to win anything ....

Sepi, I dont consider FA Cup, EL and Carling cup a trophy. I have been waiting for a trophy so long that none of them will replace CL football for me.

Only CL or EPL trophies I look forward to.

We have been making CL for so long that, that I cant go with out it, I can go without a FA cup for another 100 years.

I take it as you didn't celebrate when Arsenal beat United in that massively heated FA Cup final in 2005 then ??

or you weren't gutted when you lost the Uefa Cup final to Galatasaray in penalties?

Arsenal have won 10 FA Cup trophies. that's one of the biggest bragging points of Arsenal. the oldest trophy ever. yet, you say you don't count it ??


Did you bother watching the FA cup finals during Wenger's reign (4 of them )


I don't know about you Arsenal fans. You seem to be from very different DNA. I was out of my mind in joy and tears when we beat Cardiff for the league cup last year. I spent $80 on beer, I cried in happiness to see Gerrard lift a trophy after 6 years.

a few months later, I was gutted beyond words at losing FA Cup final to Chelsea. I didn't eat for 2 days. I kept waching Carroll's header being saved by an amazing Cech and thinking what it could have been.

I had a kidney stone operation the day before Liverpool's EL semi-final vs atletico madrid 3 years ago. I left the hospital at 12 PM, and without even getting home..STRAIGHT FROM HOSPITAL, I went to pub to watch the game. the noise, the passion of the fans was amazing. We were in a EUROPEAN SEMI FINAL !!!!

I absolutely find it unbelievable, that you find your club too good for some trophies and glories, despite a near decade drought.

I believe most of you have forgotten the joy of seeing your team with a medal up their necks, at the podium with champagne.

I guarantee you one thing. When Arsenal eventually wins something again (what ever it may be), you'll be feeling very differently. Because you'll remember the amazing feeling of how winning a trophy and adding to club's history feels like.

Lex wrote:Put it this way, had Wigan stayed up, no top players would flock to them because they won the FA cup

Not sure I agree with this. If you miss out on the CL one time it probably won't make a huge difference, tottenham is able to get top players like vertonghen in spite of not playing in the CL, if you miss out constantly then I would agree. But the Arsenal brand would still have a lot of appeal to the prospective players.

What if you considered this from the player's position? They're not going to tell their grandkids "and that was the season we narrowly got 4th place by a 1 point difference", but he would tell them "and that time we won the oldest cup in history"

Maybe I am different but for me going against the best teams in the world is better than winning a small trophy.

BarrileteCosmico wrote:

Lex wrote:Put it this way, had Wigan stayed up, no top players would flock to them because they won the FA cup

Not sure I agree with this. If you miss out on the CL one time it probably won't make a huge difference, tottenham is able to get top players like vertonghen in spite of not playing in the CL, if you miss out constantly then I would agree. But the Arsenal brand would still have a lot of appeal to the prospective players.

Tottenham play the odds when it comes to transfers. For every one player that does sign, at least fifteen reject them. And I believe Lionel Bale himself said his future at WHL hinges on whether Sp*rs manage to get CL football or not.

Kind of Surprised at this thread. hasn't it gotten to the point where you feel you've waited long enough for glory?

I know it would drive me mad by now.

Kick wrote:Kind of Surprised at this thread. hasn't it gotten to the point where you feel you've waited long enough for glory?

I know it would drive me mad by now.

lol really? how long have you been a chelsea supporter?

Since 2000. Would you like to see my First Shirt?

You have no idea how happy I am that we won the EL, even if it is only the EL. After 8 years, I'd take that for one season out of the CL.

I'd be happy we won a trophy a la EL, but I'd be happy if we won the Community Shield too

To me, the EL is the equivalent of failing the police exam and becoming a mall cop

Lex wrote:I'd be happy we won a trophy a la EL, but I'd be happy if we won the Community Shield too

To me, the EL is the equivalent of failing the police exam and becoming a mall cop

still better than being unemployed, sitting home, and mooching off parents/friends

Lex wrote:

BarrileteCosmico wrote:

Lex wrote:Put it this way, had Wigan stayed up, no top players would flock to them because they won the FA cup

Not sure I agree with this. If you miss out on the CL one time it probably won't make a huge difference, tottenham is able to get top players like vertonghen in spite of not playing in the CL, if you miss out constantly then I would agree. But the Arsenal brand would still have a lot of appeal to the prospective players.

Tottenham play the odds when it comes to transfers. For every one player that does sign, at least fifteen reject them. And I believe Lionel Bale himself said his future at WHL hinges on whether Sp*rs manage to get CL football or not.

for a club like Arsenal who balances the budget on CL money, it is indeed Oxygen itself.. and one season out of it means, the benefits go to Spuds/Everton strengthening the rivals and making it difficult for ourselves.. there is no guarantee that spending a 100 million will win u trophies, unless u can do it consistently for some time like Chavs or Shitty.. and we dont have the money to do it...

Lex wrote:I'd be happy we won a trophy a la EL, but I'd be happy if we won the Community Shield too

To me, the EL is the equivalent of failing the police exam and becoming a mall cop