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FA Cup final: Arsene Wenger one of the game's greats - Antonio Conte

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Arsenal can save their season with FA Cup win - Conte
2017 FA Cup final
Venue: Wembley Stadium Date: Saturday, 27 May Kick-off: 17:30 BST
Coverage: Watch live on BBC One, listen on BBC Radio 5 live and follow live text on the BBC Sport website

Arsene Wenger will be considered "one of the best managers in history" even if Arsenal lose the FA Cup final, says Chelsea boss Antonio Conte.

Frenchman Wenger, 67, has been Gunners boss since 1996 and his current deal expires in the summer.

Wenger said his future will be decided at a board meeting after Saturday's FA Cup final against the Blues.

"I know very well Arsene Wenger has done well in the FA Cup and won many trophies," said Conte.

Wenger has faced numerous protests by Arsenal's own supporters this season, calling for him to quit as boss.

But he could end the season with a seventh FA Cup triumph - as many times as Liverpool have won the famous trophy.

Conte believes Wenger will still be Arsenal's manager next season.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger
Arsenal beat Chelsea 3-0 in September before the Blues defeated their London rivals 3-1 at Stamford Bridge in February

"I don't think this will be the last game for Arsene, he deserves to be working for Arsenal," added the Italian, who is seeking the Double in his first season at Stamford Bridge after steering the Blues to the Premier League title.

"He has done a fantastic job.

"Sometimes in England I think you undervalue the achievement of qualifying for the Champions League. Only this season they haven't qualified for the Champions League.

"When you stay for a long time, for sure he is a good manager. We must consider him to be one of the best managers in history."

'Chelsea want more'

Chelsea have not won the FA Cup since 2012 when Roberto di Matteo was in charge when they beat Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley.

Forward Eden Hazard is determined to lift the trophy for the first time since moving to Stamford Bridge in June 2012.

Chelsea's Eden Hazard hopes to win his first FA Cup trophy

"We want more, you always want more," said Hazard, who scored 16 goals this season to help his team win the league.

"For Chelsea, for such a big club like this, you need to win one, two, three trophies every season if you can.

"Now we have the possibility to win another trophy so all the players are ready for that. It's such a great competition for the fans."

I give my medals away - Wenger

Wenger will be the FA Cup's most successful manager if the Gunners beat Chelsea.

That would move him one ahead of George Ramsay's six triumphs with Aston Villa.

However, Wenger has no souvenirs of his previous successes.

"I have no medals at home from anything. You come to my home, you will be surprised," he said.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger with the FA Cup
Arsene Wenger will be the FA Cup's most successful manager if Arsenal beat Chelsea

"There is no trophy, no medal, nothing. I always give them out.

"There is always a guy at the club who did not get a medal - a member of staff - so I have given it to him.

"So you are always a medal short and you will always find someone who takes it."

'I'd like Wenger to win... and leave on a high'

Next week's board meeting is a pivotal moment in Arsenal's history whatever the result at Wembley, according to Gunners goalkeeping legend Bob Wilson.

The 75-year-old, who played for Arsenal from 1963 to 1974, said he wanted Wenger to win at Wembley and then leave on a high.

"I love this guy," Wilson told BBC Sport.

"I think he has been amazing for the game in this country.

"There's a part of me that would really love Arsenal to win this final, and for the team to play well, and maybe in the heart of hearts I would like Arsene to go while he has all that respect because it's all about respect."

'Chelsea will win comfortably if they dominate midfield'

Four-time Chelsea FA Cup winner Frank Lampard: "In [midfielder] Mesut Ozil and [forward] Alexis Sanchez, Arsenal have two players who can unlock any door at any moment at any level.

"Ozil's ability is not in doubt but obviously in the modern game you need everyone to work at 100% off the ball too.

Mesut Ozil created 100 chances in the Premier League in 2016-17

"That is the thing that has come into question occasionally with him, but the fact remains that he is a world-class player. He could maybe score more goals but, when he is on his game, I don't think there are many better than him with a final pass."

Two-time Arsenal FA Cup winner Ian Wright: "For me, as disappointing as it is to not be in the Champions League, winning the FA Cup is always great and it would be an especially good final to win because of who Arsenal are playing against.

"Chelsea have been by far the best side in the Premier League this season, so beating them would go a long way to showing that Arsenal have got a team that can compete against the best and that they should be doing a lot better in the league."

Former Liverpool defender and 1986 FA Cup winner Mark Lawrenson: "The key area for Arsenal is not their defence, or their attack - which is very strong. It is in midfield.

"Chelsea will win comfortably if they take control of that area but Arsenal should not be short of numbers in there. It is imperative for the Gunners that they keep the game tight and fight and scrap like they did in their semi-final against Manchester City."

Cup final day on the BBC

Your cup final day starts bright and early as BBC Breakfast kicks things off from 06:00 BST. Keep your eyes peeled for appearances from BBC Sport presenters Jason Mohammad and Dan Walker, as well as former Arsenal player Ray Parlour.

The fun continues on CBBC at 07:45 with MOTD Kickabout, while Danny Baker's 5 live show from 09:00 BST will also be cup-final flavoured.

Fighting Talk from 11:00 on 5 live comes from Wembley with Pat Nevin taking part, and the build-up continues with Football Focus from 12:00 on BBC One.

Six goals for Alexis Sanchez at Wembley for Arsenal and Chile

Dan Walker will be joined by cup winners Martin Keown and Ruud Gullit, who will dissect where the big game could be won and lost.

Noon is also the starting point for live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app - your home for the remainder of the day. Stay in touch with #bbcfacup across social media. Arsenal Ladies defender Alex Scott - a multiple Women's FA Cup winner - is your social media host throughout the day.

A special FA Cup edition of Pointless takes place at 13:15 on BBC One before Jason Mohammad presents the FA Cup show from 14:00.

With build-up now in full swing, Mohammad looks back at the FA People's Cup, recaps the Arsene Wenger years (so far) and is joined by comedian and Chelsea fan Omid Djalili.

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216 comments

  • Comment posted by OmNom, at 22:56 26 May 2017

    Wenger could've left Arsenal at any time to manage Real Madrid, Juventus, AC Milan or any other big continental club. He showed Arsenal tremendous loyalty by staying during the "we need to repay the stadium bill" years where he had next to no transfer funds.

    How about the club shows him some loyalty in exchange?

  • Comment posted by D1679110813156, at 22:59 26 May 2017

    No one could have achieved what Wenger did in maintaining CL status back when it was vital for finances before the mad tv money - doing it while having to sell his best players to pay off a £400m stadium. From 2002-14 he kept AFCl in the top 4 fighting with one hand tied behind his back. Josephine's had a blank cheque this season and couldn't manage it. Conte's a class act for showing respect.

  • Comment posted by ipaymytvlicenseforthis, at 22:54 26 May 2017

    Whatever the current situation. One of the greatest managers in the premier league era.

  • Comment posted by The_Ref, at 22:50 26 May 2017

    Wenger is much better than the BBC would have us believe

  • Comment posted by DPG, at 23:24 26 May 2017

    Wenger has transformed the English game for the better, shown great loyalty to a club he clearly loves and will be forever remembered for the invincibles season. Conte is right - he deserves more respect. From a Liverpool fan.

  • Comment posted by D1710821002255, at 23:39 26 May 2017

    Good bit of gamesmanship by Conte, but how right he is. If ever a great manager has been crapped on by the disloyal fans and worse by Ian Wright who he gave loyalty it is Wenger. He deserves better and the fans will only realise when he goes. If he does leave Arsenal there will a queue waiting to appoint him. I wish West Ham would be one of them.

  • Comment posted by Strangely Brown, at 22:54 26 May 2017

    All managers suffer mutiny's by the players, I remember Ferguson putting many to the sword to keep order.

    I suspect Arsenal have a few rotten apples and i do hope Arsene can root them out and go out an a high maybe next season.

  • Comment posted by dreyers, at 23:51 26 May 2017

    Not an Arsenal fan, in fact not really a football fan, but anyone who doesn't respect Arsene Wenger should be ashamed of themselves. How many of his critics are as successful in their jobs as he has been in his? Unless you could genuinely manage a premier league football team better than him you should wind your neck in and stop criticising.

  • Comment posted by lee, at 22:57 26 May 2017

    Arsenal win, all is forgiven, 4 more years for Wenger.

  • Comment posted by TCee, at 05:09 27 May 2017

    From a Utd fan..Wenger is clearly one of the top PL managers of all time, he went toe to toe with SAF during our successful seasons and won. He has seen countless managers come and go at MC, Liv, Chel and others, He has had to compete with the 'New money' with No money. He is the last of the long stayers, we live in a throw away society. If today is his last game, I'd like to wish him good luck

  • Comment posted by DJ_FRAMBOISE, at 07:18 27 May 2017

    Growing up 60/70's, it was always "boring, boring, Arsenal". Wenger-era though has made them one of the best teams to watch with exciting players. No bank-rolling Oligark throwing money at them and having to manage the finances through the stadium move. Possibly only bettered in recent times by SAF. Failing is not to have better defences in recent years. Of course he is one of the greats.

  • Comment posted by lee, at 00:22 27 May 2017

    When you lot have finally harassed the man who has transformed your club as well as football in this country on the whole, who had consistently given you CL football as well as league titles, cup wins etc.. send him to the London Stadium please, we would love him.

  • Comment posted by Steve, at 23:55 26 May 2017

    As a lower but proper league fan I think Wengers teams have at times played the most attractive football seen in this country and within a budget, hope he wins, plastic premier fans moan at anything

  • Comment posted by 3lions, at 00:56 27 May 2017

    This is where the BBC needs to have a long hard look at itself. Why would they even allow the user name at 59. None of us mind light hearted banter but they have stooped to the lowest level if they allow this to happen.

    They should be ashamed and their censorship/moderators be sacked so they can work for the daily mail.

    Gutter press. Stuff next years licence fee.

  • Comment posted by U16519336, at 01:02 27 May 2017

    59. Posted by garyglittersU12s
    on
    26 May 2017 23:36

    0800 1111

    childline

    why don't you give them a call and tell them why you picked your username

  • Comment posted by 3lions, at 00:31 27 May 2017

    Whoever wins I suspect the other manager will be gracious in defeat. How refreshing that will be.

    Good luck to both teams, let's hope they do the cup proud and it's a right old humdinger.

  • Comment posted by Wackford Squeers, at 10:11 27 May 2017

    Wenger might be a good manager but certainly not great, he's not won a European trophy. Now what Cloughie did with Notts Forrest is great management.

  • Comment posted by Razor Sharpster, at 04:54 27 May 2017

    Finally, some respect! 100% agree. The goading from a section of fans & the press has been disgraceful this season.

    Wenger is a fantastic manager, he shouldn't be questioned, & left to do his work. Perhaps those divided dissenters are as much to blame for the team finishing 5th.

    They want to sell out, be a City or Chelsea. I find that sad. That'll be 4 clubs playing silly silly money. A joke

  • Comment posted by Jamie Lennon, at 09:05 27 May 2017

    Dear BBC, I pay for your service and therefore expect an impartial reporting style. Not only when reporting on news but also in sport. Do you think you could manage this?
    Most of your 'news' stories are ripped off from Twitter or Reddit.

    Can you get Phil and co out of the BBC bar and do some real reporting, y'know, like speaking to people instead of writing this type of biased drivel?

  • Comment posted by D1710810867791, at 00:08 27 May 2017

    Totally goes without saying that Wenger deserves respect. I used to love the banter and rivalry of Fergie, Wenger, United and Arsenal but it all went pair shaped when Jose started trolling Wenger The medias blind love for The Special One then turned on Wenger and has been sticking the boot in ever since.

    Hoping for a good game and as a neutral may the best team on the day win.