Arteta claiming they were the best team in the competition in his post match interview. Interesting comment, as I had them down as the weakest of the lot in the semi finals. No striker, and certainly a lack of togetherness that has gotten Inter, and previously Real Madrid, to many finals.
So that's six seasons, well five and a half, and one trophy? Don't get me wrong, breaking into that top tier and converting potential to success is tough, but in a season where they've been touted as one of the teams in a two horse race, they've left themselves with a battle to even finish top five, and gone out of the semi finals most easily of the four teams remaining.
They can talk about the lack of a striker, which in itself is worrying strategy, but that Arsenal attitude and attempt at siege mentality has fallen woefully short. Lewis Skelly is the perfect example, ability sure but seemingly more interested in the bants, and by the time they look up from amusing themselves the crowd have moved on.
Arteta may have succeeded at City, because the correct attitude was already there. But in trying to instil that attitude at another club, it's not quite worked.
Maybe they are just a centre forward from success, and someone like Delap may fit their rough and tumble team well, but I just don't see that mentality to come together when the going gets tough. They've already showed their cards before the endgame, and that's harder to fix than just bringing in a player, because it comes right from the top.