Arteta 'sorry' for giving Arsenal fans heartbreak during Wembley final

Arsenal vice-captain Mikel Arteta is hopeful their FA Cup triumph would usher in a new era at the Emirates as far as winning trophies is concerned.

Arteta wore the armband during Saturday's Wembley final in the absence of club captain Thomas Vermaelen leading Arsenal to their first success in nine years.

"I think we have done something difficult. It took us a long time to get but hopefully it will give us the confidence to start from now on in bringing more trophies and being at the top," the Spaniard told media at The Sevens in Dubai on Wednesday.

"It's a privilege to be captain of the team because I have not been at the club for such a long time. To be able to lift the cup was such an amazing feeling considering the way the game started," he said.

Arsenal fought back from two goals down after eight minutes to win 3-2 after extra-time against Hull City.

"Obviously the relief that we felt was big. Before the game we knew all the pressure to win the trophy was on us. We had to deal with it but obviously when you go 2-0 down in a final to get back is very rare. You could feel the tension at the stadium in the first 20 minutes," said Arteta who was apologetic for giving Arsenal fans so much heartbreak.

"Everybody was saying after the game that 'you took a few years out of my life'. We are sorry for that," said Arteta promising to deliver "more good things for the club in future" despite increasingly tough competition.

"Financially we are very strong team at the moment. The support we get is unbelievable. I think we got all the ingredients to go higher," he said alluding to the fact that they missed out on the Premieer League after being on top.

"I think we were there for 18 or 19 games which is a long time. I think it's a good base. We had a slip in February and March against the big teams away from home. But overall I think we were very consistent through the year in all competitions. The way we finished the season was very convincing and lifting the cup gives us some extra belief for next season," he said as Arsenal finished fourth to seal their berth in Europe's elite competition for the 17th successive year.

He also lauded Arsenal's French manager Arsene Wenger for guiding them when the chips were down.

"He analyses the game in a very calm way. He just kept quiet and said to believe in what we are doing and if we do it his way, we will win," said Arteta who was confident Wenger would continue to remain at the club.

"We are all waiting for the announcement. He (Wenger) is really happy here and wants to continue. The board is (thinking) in the same direction but they have not put it in paper yet.
I think it will be soon,” said Arteta who also has only one year left in his contract.

"I think Arsenal and board have very clear ideas of what they want and where they can strengthen the team. I hope they make the right decision because it is going to be important," he said when asked about his reported preference for La Liga players.

Turning to the World Cup, he paid a tribute to the young English talents like Jack Wilshere, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Leighton Baines.

However, he played down Spain's chances of becoming world champions again.

"I hope we can do it again but I think it will be difficult because of the conditions as well. They are going to be a bit tougher playing in Brazil," he said.