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FA Cup wins must fuel title challenge, says Walcott
I'm very proud, says Wenger after record Arsenal win
Arsenal must not rest on their laurels after successive FA Cup victories and instead use one of the side's ‘best squads’ to inspire them to Premier League glory next season, according to forward Theo Walcott.
Arsenal rout Villa in final to claim FA Cup record
In the Premier League, however, Arsenal, who have not won the title since 2004, were never a factor in the title race and finished 12 points behind champions Chelsea in third place.
"The Premier League has to be the next target for us," the 26-year-old, who scored a hat-trick in their final league match against West Bromwich Albion last week, told the BBC.
"That's two FA Cup wins now but this is one of the best squads we have had at Arsenal so we should be achieving more. We need to start well in the Premier League next year.
"This team is blessed and there's got to be many more next year."
Walcott's campaign has been disrupted by injury but he has finished the season strongly and he is just one of a plethora of attacking options available to manager Arsene Wenger.
Frenchman Wenger also boasts sparkling attacking players such as Alexis Sanchez, who scored a sublime second at Wembley, Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey and Santi Cazorla.
"If we keep this squad, with one or two more players, we will have a good chance to challenge for the title," French forward Olivier Giroud, who scored Arsenal's fourth goal on Saturday.
"The Premier League title is the target. Hopefully we will be there."
Wenger, most successful FA Cup manager of modern times
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger could be excused if he felt like singing a verse of 'we've won our trophy back' after his team retained the FA Cup.
The 65-year-old Frenchman is now the most successful FA Cup manager of modern times having led the Gunners to a 12th triumph, a record for football's oldest knockout competition.
"I am very proud of that because if it has not been done it shows that it is not easy," Wenger told reporters.
"I have managed in seven finals and we have won six. I am very proud of that."
"It was a convincing win because we were at it from the first to the last minute. I never felt the focus or the quality dropped," Wenger said.
"I had many, many, many big decisions to make before the game. I had to leave big players out of the squad but I just tried to find a good balance in the team."
"We feel we have made progress since the start of the season in the way we play and the way we manage games," he said.
"Of course we can push on. It is about consistency at the top level. In the past when we have won leagues we have been consistent."