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The time has finally come for Arsene Wenger to win a trophy again. With a victory over lowly Wigan Athletic with his young Gunners, Wenger and the crew advanced to the semi-finals of the long-forgotten and mostly inconsequential Carling Cup. Comfortable victories over Tottenham, Newcastle, and Wigan place have led Arsenal to a simple match against lowly Championship side Ipswich Town, who currently sit 17th in the league standings. To put it into further perspective, Ipswich have struggled mightily to get to this point in the cup, having to win in extra time or penalties against Exeter City (that’s a team I use in FIFA when I really want to challenge myself with the worst players in England) and Crewe Alexandra (this is a real team?). Ipswich Town have also knocked out tough competition in Milwall and Northampton Town. They actually did earn a somewhat respectable win last round against West Bromwich Albion. But let’s face it: if men in an Arsenal jersey can’t beat Ipswich in a home and home contest, they do not deserve to win silverware.
Yes, the Gunners would have to still go through West Ham or Birmingham City in the final. It’s time for these “young” Gunners to grow up and prove their worth. 
Fans have waited 5 long years since the last time they smelled a trophy. Not many people put worth in the Carling Cup. Wenger is even dismissing some of the allure of the cup win, at least publicly, claiming the team will focus on the league fixtures and a contest such as the Carling Cup will take a backseat in the fight for a league title. However, I think Wenger should be and is on the same page as midfielder Denilson. “If you win the Carling Cup, then after will come the FA Cup, then after the Premier League and the Champions League”, Denilson claimed. While I don’t think an EPL title or Champions League title is in the books this season, an FA Cup is a realistic goal. Using the Carling Cup as a springboard confidence booster may be just the thing this squad needs.
For as young as the team is, the Gunners have loads of experience. Wenger needs to stop using youth as an argument for failure. Even other managers are taking note of this. Jose Mourinho is absolutely right:
“He should especially explain to Arsenal supporters how he can’t win one single little trophy since 2005.
Instead of speaking about Real Madrid, Mr Wenger should speak about Arsenal and explain how he lost 2-0 against a team in the Champions League for the first time.
The history about the young kids is getting old now.
[Bacary] Sagna, [Gael] Clichy, [Theo] Walcott, [Cesc] Fabregas, [Alex] Song, [Samir] Nasri, [Robin] Van Persie, [Andrey] Arshavin are not kids. They are all top players.”
Mourinho is correct. The time is now, Mr. Wenger. Focus for three games and bring home a trophy for yourself, the squad, and Gunner nation. Time to validate yourself.
