Kearney Training Ground, Wenger's Office.
Arsène Wenger sat in his office at the Kearney training base, carefully studying detailed reports on Luton Town. For Arsenal, the semi-final FA Cup draw had been relatively kind — after all, their opponents were only a Championship side.
However, Wenger, ever the cautious strategist, refused to underestimate them. Any team capable of eliminating Chelsea and Manchester City deserved respect. If Arsenal approached the match with arrogance, they could find themselves paying a heavy price.
"This team cannot be taken lightly," said Wenger's trusted assistant, Pat Rice, who was also present.
Wenger nodded thoughtfully. "They've built a talented squad. I don't know how they managed to unearth so many quality young players."
"I heard Charlie Austin was literally a bricklayer before joining Luton," Rice added, shaking his head. "And Vardy and Kanté were also picked up from the lower leagues... it's like that young Chinese manager has some kind of crystal ball."
Neither Wenger nor Rice could fully understand the phenomenon, but Wenger, famous for his faith in developing young talent, felt a certain admiration. Arsenal, too, boasted an array of young stars.
Twenty-one-year-old Spanish playmaker Cesc Fàbregas had already become the heartbeat of Arsenal's midfield. Teenage speedster Theo Walcott was flourishing, while French prodigy Samir Nasri was showcasing his immense potential at the Emirates. Promising talents like Jack Wilshere were starting to make an impact, and Aaron Ramsey, signed from Cardiff City the previous summer, was steadily establishing himself as a reliable midfield option.
Indeed, Arsenal's future looked bright.
But right now, Wenger faced a major headache: an injury crisis ravaging his first-team squad.
First-choice goalkeeper Manuel Almunia was sidelined, while defenders Gaël Clichy, William Gallas, Kolo Touré, and Bacary Sagna were all battling injuries. Midfield dynamo Abou Diaby's brittle fitness was again a concern, while Tomas Rosicky, plagued by recurrent injuries, was unavailable yet again.
"We have too many injuries..." Wenger said, frowning deeply. "With Almunia out, I'm not entirely comfortable relying on Fabiański in goal."
Łukasz Fabiański, still young and relatively inexperienced, had quick reflexes and decent agility, but Wenger was understandably nervous about fielding him in such a high-pressure game like the FA Cup semi-final.
"Don't worry too much, Arsène," Rice reassured him. "We're not up against Manchester United here. Against Luton, Fabiański should be able to handle it. Plus, our attack is firing on all cylinders lately."
Wenger's expression softened slightly.
Indeed, Arsenal's frontline had been electric in recent weeks. Emmanuel Adebayor, fresh off a successful international break where he led Togo to a famous win over Cameroon, had scored four goals in his last four club matches. Over the season, he had already notched 20 goals and contributed 12 assists in 32 appearances — an outstanding return.
Meanwhile, Robin van Persie, recently back from injury, had also found form, bagging a brace in the previous Premier League match against Wigan Athletic (a 4–1 victory) and winning a crucial penalty late in the game. Cesc Fàbregas, orchestrating from midfield, had registered six assists in the last four games, showcasing his exceptional vision and creativity.
With the attack in such devastating form, Wenger finally allowed himself a measure of optimism.
The FA Cup, a competition Wenger had always cherished, now represented Arsenal's best hope of ending their trophy drought. A victory over Luton would mean a place in the final — and just one more step to lifting silverware.
Arsenal's hunger for a trophy was palpable. It had been four long years since they last celebrated a major title — if you didn't count the pre-season Emirates Cup, the Gunners' last triumph was the 2005 FA Cup final, where they edged Manchester United on penalties.
Now, trailing Manchester United by ten points in the Premier League, the title was all but out of reach. The FA Cup had become their best — and perhaps only — shot at ending the painful wait for silverware.
Just three days ago, in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, Arsenal defeated Villarreal 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium, advancing to the semi-finals with a 4-1 aggregate score. However, the road ahead in Europe would only get tougher — in the semi-finals, Arsenal could potentially face Chelsea, Barcelona, or Manchester United. All three teams were European powerhouses with strong pedigrees, and lifting the Champions League trophy would still be a monumental challenge for Wenger's side.
In contrast, Arsenal's prospects in the FA Cup looked far brighter. Their path to the final seemed much more manageable compared to the high stakes of the Champions League. For Arsène Wenger, winning the FA Cup was a realistic and crucial goal — silverware was desperately needed to satisfy both fans and club ambitions.
At the pre-match press conference ahead of the FA Cup semi-final, Wenger was clear about his intentions.
"We will do our best!!" Wenger declared with typical resolve.
He didn't underestimate their opponents, Luton Town.
"Luton is a team that cannot be underestimated," Wenger said. "Ethan has done an excellent job. To bring a League Two team all the way to the FA Cup semi-finals is a remarkable achievement. It's no fluke — they have real strength. Several of their young players have shown great promise, and we must respect that."
Wenger's words were no empty praise. In the private tactical meeting with the players, his tone was even more serious.
"This is a team very good at pressing and counter-attacking!" Wenger said, standing beside the tactics board. "Luton's 4-4-2 setup is slightly unconventional. They start their defensive pressing very high up the pitch. Their midfielders and forwards work together to close down quickly and win the ball back in dangerous areas."
He emphasized caution when playing out from the back.
"Passing at the back must be quick and secure. No risky short passes unless absolutely necessary. A misplaced pass could immediately trigger their counterattack."
Wenger had studied video footage of Luton's FA Cup run. Many of their goals came from quick turnovers and sharp counter-attacks after winning possession high up the pitch.
Their style left an impression on Wenger. In his eyes, Ethan was a young coach with a sophisticated understanding of modern tactics — imaginative and bold in execution.
"And watch out for their defensive midfielder, Kanté!" Wenger stressed. "His tackling and interception abilities are outstanding. Don't try to dribble past him carelessly. Play around him, move the ball quickly."
Winning the FA Cup mattered — Arsenal hadn't lifted a trophy in four years. Wenger understood better than anyone: a big club couldn't afford to go too long without success. Another failure, especially against a lower-league opponent, would be a bitter humiliation.
It was time for Arsenal to bring a new chapter of glory to the Emirates Stadium.