The heartbreak, the jubilation, the tantrums, the tears, the hope, the disappointment, the expectancy and the belief. For every one of the past nine years, I have reflected on what might have been.

Now, the path that everyone affiliated with Arsenal Football Club has walked is about to come to a glorious end…

Short-term pain for long-term gain

For every year that passed, another opportunity went amiss. It started as a game of luck. A shame that we’d missed out on silverware, but we would do it next time.

The Emirates Stadium move meant that we had to accept an influx of younger players and the struggles to make ends meet.  That was ok too. It was a short-term sacrifice for long-term gain.

Then the critics came out to play. Led by Piers Morgan’s erratic Twitter statements, ‘Arsène out’ was more commonplace than ‘Come on Arsenal’ at the home of the historic football club.

We didn’t have enough money fans cried, the defense is a shambles stated the pundits, we fight till the end, exasperated the heavily criticised French manager of the club.

Gunning for the Cup

But for some reason, in a season where the top teams in England have become better and more competitive than ever, the Gunners find themselves in their best position in those nine years.

Somehow, Arsenal have managed to humiliate North London rivals Spurs, sweep past Coventry, battle against Liverpool, punish Everton and linked up with fate against Wigan.

There are no words to describe or justify how it has happened, but it feels as though Arsenal’s name is on the cup this season.

Magic Mesut

So what has made this year so different? They told Wenger to take out his wallet and spend big. £42.5 million later and Mesut Özil became the unexpected answer to the supporter’s prayers.

A world class signing who rubbed his magic dust on his new team-mates, helping the side to stay top of the Premier League table for 128 days this season.

Aaron Ramsey, a player who many tried to summon out the door of Ashburton Grove became ‘The Welsh Messi’ (sorry Spurs fans) overnight, scoring 15 goals in an injury hampered campaign.

The Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny partnership has grown from strength to strength, an excusable cliché reflecting their consistent ability to keep goals out this season. This is clearly represented in Wojciech Szczesny’s joint ‘Golden Glove’ award, for 16 clean sheets in the league.

Even the heavily abused Olivier Giroud has managed to increase his goal tally to 22 this year, regardless of the many more he should have finished off, to gain invaluable points for his side.

Özil’s arrival has triggered a fresh feeling around the club, one of hope and optimism, while acting as a signpost that nothing is out of the Red Army’s reach.

Arsène Knows

But there has to be a mention for Arsène Wenger, a man who has stuck with Arsenal when he could have gone abroad. He could have chosen money, trophies, even more fame and happiness.

Yet he stayed at Arsenal, knowing that he could not leave the club on a low note. On Saturday, he has a chance to make sure of that, by leading his team to glory.

The passing style and flair has re-emerged this season, sensational goals and expression with no shackles attached has been a welcome sight and despite a fourth place finish the height of their league efforts, a huge improvement has been visibly made.

New songs ring around the stadium, while new fan video mediums have taken the supporters by storm, allowing everyone in the Gooner family to get their voices heard.

Times are changing

I am not a psychic; if I were I would be a very rich man. But looking into my crystal ball (also known as my computer screen), I have a feeling in my gut.

That feeling that this year will be different than all the others. Lightening doesn’t strike twice. The team of 2011 was weak, makeshift and full of psychological disbelief.

The team of 2014 is creative, inspired and truly believe that this is their time to turn themselves into heroes.

The best manager Arsenal have ever had may decide to call it a day after the Wembley clash against Hull. Wouldn’t it be nice if he could bow out with the best season the club have had in almost a decade.

Keep calm and believe in Arsenal

Whether you are at Wembley, the Emirates, a local pub, at home, on your tablet, mobile or at an inconvenient family do, keep the faith. Keep the positivity and keep believing.

2014 is the time that the abuse at school, taunts at work, torment filled sleeps disappear. 2014 is the year that everything changes.

2014 is our time. Good luck to the players, to the staff, to the fans, to Arsenal – your fate is in your own hands.

Latest: