Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere is confident the Gunners can overthrow Barclays Premier League champions Chelsea next season - but could not resist a foul-mouthed outburst at rivals Tottenham during the FA Cup winners' victory parade on Sunday.
Many thousands of Arsenal fans had braved the rain to cheer the squad as they went on open-top buses from the Emirates Stadium to Islington Town Hall, celebrating the club's record 12th FA Cup victory after successfully retaining the trophy with a 4-0 win over Aston Villa at Wembley.
The damp conditions had not put off any of the Gunners faithful from waiting patiently for several hours for the team's return to the Emirates Stadium, where skipper Mikel Arteta and vice-captain Per Mertesacker presented the FA Cup on stage.
As the players, who were pictured celebrating out in London after their victory on Saturday, revelled in the atmosphere, midfielder Wilshere took to the microphone, in a repeat of a scenario from 12 months ago.
The 23-year-old, who has come through the youth ranks at Arsenal, started a chant mocking local rivals Tottenham, asking the crowd: "I have one question, and one question only: what do we think of Tottenham?''... before adding: "And what do we think of s***?", then joining in as the crowd sang back: "We hate Tottenham and we hate Tottenham... we are the Tottenham haters."
Tottenham reached the Capital One Cup final where they lost to Chelsea and went on to finish fifth in the Barclays Premier League, below the Gunners once more.
Wilshere then continued with another Arsenal song, as supporters joined in the shouts of, "It has happened again, Tottenham Hotspur, it has happened again".
The microphone was then taken off Wilshere, but he retrieved it, saying: "We have got one more."
As the England international then started the chant "My old man said be a Tottenham fan...", which when sang in full includes more expletives aimed at Spurs, Arsenal broke off from the live broadcast on their in-house media channel. Studio presenter Dan Roebuck immediately apologised for any offence caused by the player's remarks.
Although not broadcast, the Arsenal supporters had responded with chants of "Super Jack Wilshere".
The club coverage soon resumed with more formal player interviews and some words from manager Arsene Wenger.
Wilshere is set to join up with England in midweek ahead of the friendly against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on Sunday and the Euro 2016 qualifier away to Slovenia.
There is no suggestion the Football Association are looking into the events of Sunday at this time.
Wilshere came off the bench after 77 minutes against Villa, and was involved in the goal for Olivier Giroud in stoppage time, as the Gunners recorded the biggest FA Cup final winning margin in more than 20 years.
Arsenal ended the Premier League season some 12 points behind Chelsea, four from Manchester City, but ahead of Manchester United.
Wilshere believes Arsene Wenger's squad can continue their improvement through 2015-2016.
"We have made a big step mentally," said Wilshere after Saturday's victory at Wembley.
"I remember in previous years going to big games, Man United, City, Chelsea, thinking 'have we really got a chance today?' But this year, from the first big game, Man City at home, we did well and then we won at their place.
"Even United away we got a point. That is a big step that we needed to do, so next year we feel like we are in a better position."
Wilshere added: "The big one for us is the Premier League.
"We have progressed this year, have finished third and got automatic Champion League qualification.
"Next year we feel that can really push Chelsea, City and United for the title."
Wilshere accepts "competition is ferocious" within the Gunners squad, but would have it no other way.
He added: "When I first started at Arsenal there was players like Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Alex Song and people were saying I wouldn't play, that I might have to go out on loan again to get some game time, but I am there to accept the competition and fight for my place."
Source: PA
