Jack Wilshere believes Carling Cup win could spark more Arsenal glory

Posted Thursday, January 27, 2011 by theguardian.com

• Arsenal are 'hungry' for silverware, midfielder says
• Jack Wilshere inspired by semi-final win over Ipswich

Jack Wilshere, left, battles for the ball with Ipswich Town's Gareth McAuley during Arsenal's Carling Cup semi-final victory.

Jack Wilshere believes the Carling Cup can provide a springboard for Arsenal's pursuit of the Premier League title this season as the club aim to end a six-year trophy drought by prevailing in the season's first final next month.

The 19-year-old England midfielder acknowledged the "hunger" within Arsène Wenger's squad to lift silverware in the wake of the semi-final victory over Ipswich Town last night, having forgotten what the sensation of winning trophies feels like. Four years after missing out on the Carling Cup to Chelsea in Cardiff, Arsenal will compete in their first Wembley final since 1998, intent in the meantime upon maintaining their pursuit of Manchester United in the Premier League.

"Winning trophies breeds confidence and, if we get confident for the rest of the season, then who knows what could happen?" Wilshere said. "This is a great opportunity to win a trophy. To go on and win it would be massive for the club. Any trophy is a trophy and it's five years since we won our last one. If we win one, hopefully it will become more.

"I don't think there is a frustration in the dressing room [regarding the club's trophyless run], but I just think there is more of a hunger there. It's been so long we've almost forgotten what it's like. We need to bring that back into the club. This is a big football club and we need to win trophies. If we win in February it will give us confidence for the rest of the season."

Arsenal's last trophy was the FA Cup in 2005, when Manchester United were overcome on penalties at Cardiff, after a goalless draw. "I was about 13 at home with my family and I remember watching it on the television when Patrick Vieira scored the last penalty," Wilshere said.

"You saw what it meant to them and we're trying to do that again. Being part of the team, they are all feeling it and are hungry to win trophies. That's what this club is about and we need to do that.

"We know we're going to Wembley now. We know our opponents will be strong on the day. We'll look forward to the Premier League games and, when it comes along, we'll be ready for the final.

"I came on at Wembley a couple of months ago for my England debut, even if it was only for 10 minutes. This will be my first cup final and hopefully my first full game at Wembley. It will be brilliant, a massive day for me and my family and hopefully we can go on and win."