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Ox - We've waited for this moment

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain says Arsenal's players are not preoccupied by the club's wait for a trophy - but they know they have a glorious chance to end it this year.

It was 2005 when the Gunners last got their hands on silverware, and a new generation will take a step closer to an FA Cup triumph of their own if they beat Wigan Athletic on Saturday.

Oxlade-Chamberlain hopes to shrug off a minor groin problem to take his place in Arsene Wenger's Wembley squad - and he thinks Arsenal are ready to deliver.

“I've been here for three seasons and others have only joined this season so in a way, as a club, it [the wait for silverware] is weighing on us, but as players it's not like that," he said.

"We are in a position now where we can make that happen, we are in a position where it is our responsibility to take that opportunity"

“We've all come together as a fairly new squad and for the time we've been together we've been building ourselves up to a moment like this. Whether it's the league, Champions League, FA Cup or League Cup.

“When people say it's been weighing on the club heavily, the players are full aware of that and we want to make that right.

“But as a group of players, the most important thing is that we've been gelling together over a fairly short period of time. Maybe two or three years, for us it's just trying to do the basics right and work together as a team to win a trophy."

If that trophy does come in May, Oxlade-Chamberlain thinks it could be a springboard for further success.

"Once you do get that experience of winning the first one, you automatically build confidence that you can go on and do that again and again and again. That experience is vital.

"The squad needs that, definitely. I always hear commentators talking about squads that have been around and have won things. They always mention the experience of winning, and knowing what it takes to win. They’ve only got that through winning trophies, and winning competitions.

"That is definitely something that will help this team to go on and push forward and be successful in the future. But it is just getting to that first one. It is a lot easier said than done. We are in a position now where we can make that happen, we are in a position where it is our responsibility to take that opportunity."

Oxlade-Chamberlain was a Southampton academy prospect when Arsenal beat the Saints at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium in the 2003 final, and his FA Cup memories go back even further.

“The one I remember really well was the final in 2003 against Southampton. I was at Southampton at the time, it was a tight game, Arsenal won 1-0 and I remember how special the day was.

“I can remember so many occasions. The game which always sticks in my mind was the final when Arsenal played Chelsea. It's a game I can always remember watching. That was when I had no ties to the club.

"Now I'm in a position to be a part of the team and for us to be at Wembley makes it more realistic and real. It is an amazing feat that we've got this opportunity to go and do something special."

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