We Found Strength in Extra Time, Says Petr

Arsenal were able to overturn what was initially fairly poor outlooks – after Agüero’s goal in the 62nd minute, they were losing 0-1. But 10 minutes later Monreal equalised, followed by Sanchez in extra time. As a result, Petr will get to feature in the FA Cup final for the fifth time in his career, this time on 27 May against Chelsea!

Petr, how did you find the semifinal?

We went into it knowing qualification was the only option. The game wasn’t going particularly well for us but we were able to equalise. We found additional strength during extra time and have qualified thanks to the team’s spectacular performance.

At 1-1, during standard time, the game kept flowing from one side to another and both teams had their chances. You helped the team quite a bit when Touré strike hit the post.

I was able to scratch the ball with the tips of my fingers and knew it wouldn’t go in anymore. Then we were a bit lucky when their header went into the woodwork again, but we also had our opportunities and could have score as well. It was pretty open on both sides.

But the game continued into extra time in the end.

It was all about making as few mistakes as you can as well as mustering up enough strength. They failed to clear a free kick and we are able to punish that with a goal. Then it was important to stay organised and rather focus at breakaways, which we did good at. Everyone did a great job, even in the defence. It was drama all the way till the end, but it all ended great.

Was there a lot of euphoria in the changing rooms afterwards?

There will be time of euphoria after the final – if we win it. Now there was mostly happiness for being able to overturn our initial losses as well as the qualification as such. Plus there’s not a whole lot of time for euphoria – we’re set to play another match on Wednesday and need to regenerate as best as we can. We’re really exhausted; we left everything out there.

Do you think this win should help you in the League?

I firmly hope so. Every game to follow now is basically a final for us. We’ve got to try and win everything so as to get up to the ranks guaranteed qualification for Champions League. We’ll put everything into it.

A week after the end you’re set to appear in the FA Cup final at Wembley…

I’ve played in four so far and always won them with Chelsea. Now I’d very much like to carry on with that at Arsenal. The fact we’re playing Chelsea in particular makes things all the more intriguing but I’m trying not to think about it too much since there’s a lot of time’s left and we need to retain focus.

The finals are bound to be quite the battle.

Once you get there, no one wants to lose. It’ll all depend on the form both teams will go into it with. Chelsea’s a title contender and could logically be going for a double win while we also want a trophy; I hope we’ll be playing the final with a set of good results from the League.