‘Walking out at Wembley will be incredible’

Leading an Arsenal team out at Wembley was just a dream for Joe Montemurro seven months ago, but now that will soon become a reality.

A fan long before joining the club in November, our Australian boss always admired Arsène Wenger’s FA Cup record - and finally has the opportunity to follow in the legendary manager’s footsteps when we face Chelsea on Saturday.

 

“There’s no doubt that it’s one of the great tournaments in world football,” Montemurro told Arsenal Player. “To be first of all leading the team out, and for it to be Wembley, is incredible. I’m not really sure if words really explain the feelings inside. All credit to the girls and all credit to everyone who’s been involved, because they deserve to be here. Hopefully we can go the next step.

 

“It’s not just about the day, it’s about the process building up and what we’ve tried to achieve as a team on the way through. It’s the professional way, the way we’ve tried to play - and the quicker we settle and get into our rhythm, I think it will be a good day for us.

 

“The day is the approach, there’s obviously the way we want to break Chelsea down and certain things we’re going to approach, but it’s an accumulation of the work that’s been done over the last 13 or 14 weeks that will hopefully all come together.

 

“They’re a great squad, a great team, and one of the best in Europe as they’re showing at the moment by reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League. The important thing for us is that we’ve had this belief to bridge the gap with the well-documented City and Chelsea domination that everyone reminds me of.

 

“Obviously they have defined ways that they want to play but Chelsea can change formations and change things within games because they’ve got the players to do it. They’ve got a very, very good squad, a very deep squad. We have to be aware that they may change things as it’s happening and we’ve now understood the rhythm, the level and the attitude that we need to bridge that gap. I think we’re really ready for it.”