Jack Wilshere has claimed the success of Arsenal's season depends on whether they win the FA Cup final.
The 23-year-old believes the Gunners need to beat Aston Villa at Wembley after failing to secure a top-two finish in the Barclays Premier League.
"I think that will define if we have a good season or not," Wilshere said. "Okay we did finish third in the league which is progression from last year (when) we finished fourth.
"We wanted to get to second this year but unfortunately we couldn't manage that so now we're looking to finish the season off with the cup and it would be nice to do that."
Wilshere has missed much of the season through a serious ankle injury, but boosted his hopes for a place in the starting line-up at the home of English football by scoring a superb volley in Sunday's 4-1 defeat of West Brom.
The midfielder said: "I really want to play. It's probably the biggest game of the season. I've been injured for a lot of the season so it's been frustrating and I've worked really hard to come back."
"I've been injured for a long time this season. I've worked hard. All I want to do at the minute is play football" - Jack Wilshere
He added: "I feel really good. Of course it's down to the manager but hopefully I will play."
Wilshere revealed that the thought of lifting trophies helped him get through the arduous task of rehabilitation after he hurt his ankle in Arsenal's 2-1 defeat by Manchester United in November.
He said: "When you're injured you're having those dark, lonely days in the gym when all the players are training.
"When you come back and you get to major finals and you can win major trophies, that definitely is something that keeps you going."
Wilshere, who was speaking at an event to announce his decision to become an ambassador of Muscular Dystrophy UK, also insisted he expects to remain at Arsenal next season.
"Of course," he said. "I've been injured for a long time this season. I've worked hard. All I want to do at the minute is play football."
