Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain dedicated Arsenal’s Emirates FA Cup semi-final victory to the Gunners supporters.
Arsene Wenger’s side were 1-0 down to Manchester City at Wembley, but Oxlade-Chamberlain crossed for Nacho Monreal to equalise before Chile star Alexis Sanchez won the tie in extra-time.
The north London club will face Chelsea in the Final on Saturday 27 May, their third Final in four years.
And Oxlade-Chamberlain believes their progression to the showpiece event will help make up for what has so far been a below-par season.
He said: “I’m delighted. We set out today to get back to a Final.
“Our league form has not been good enough and obviously, we’re disappointed with how that’s gone, and this was something that we could hold on to for the fans.
“It was important that we got to the Final – we’ve given ourselves every opportunity to go and win now.
“That’s what we wanted to do. I’m delighted for all the boys and the fans of the club.”
Oxlade-Chamberlain was deployed as a right-wing back for the second match in succession – and he was named man of the match following his stand-out performance.
He said: “It’s an interesting position for me. Obviously, it’s new. I have to focus on the defensive side of things.
“I’m not used to being a right-back so much but going forward, it gives me the opportunity to do what I’ve been used to doing over the years and I think the boys have adapted really well.
“We had a taster of it [playing 3-5-2] up at Middlesbrough in midweek. Was it a risk? I don’t know.
“I think we did really well with it today against a good City side.”
Substitute Danny Welbeck added: “It was a great performance.
“I think everybody gave it their all and we stuck in, dug deep, and we finally got the winner in the end.
“It’s been a sticky season in some patches and obviously, in the league, we’re not where we want to be and we’ve got to stick it out.
“But to be in the Final of The FA Cup; it would be good to get there and win.”
