4. To Breed A Winning Mentality
Arsenal fans everywhere rejoiced when Arsene Wenger announced Jack Wilshere, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Keiran Gibbs, Aaron Ramsey and Carl Jenkinson had all signed long term contracts, and more good news followed a couple of weeks later when it was announced that Theo Walcott had also signed a contract extension. The decision to build a team around a core group of young British players was met with praise from the Arsenal faithful. However, as good as those players are not one of them has actually won anything in the Premier League and none were playing when Arsenal last won a trophy. The experience that comes from winning something is priceless and if Arsenal are to compete for trophies in the future then the players must taste success because winning is a habit like any other; the more you win the easier it gets. Jose Mourinho knew it when he took over Chelsea in 2004 and concentrated on winning the first available silverware of the season, the League Cup, which helped his team kick on and eventually win their first league title in over fifty years. Arsene knows it too. In the past Wenger has always blooded his youngsters in the League Cup and F.A. Cup but this season he has fielded his strongest possible line ups in a bid to win a trophy. Unfortunately it didnt work out in the League Cup as Arsenal lost on penalties to Bradford but they are still in the F.A. Cup and, come 11th May, Arsene will be hoping its his team celebrating a trophy because he knows success will breed success.