Brian Gartland feels Dundalk can face Arsenal with the shackles off after securing the FAI Cup.
Celebrations were limited after yesterday’s dramatic 4-2 win over Shamrock Rovers as the Lilywhites are back at Aviva Stadium on Thursday to face the Gunners (5.55pm).
Mikel Arteta’s side are reeling after yesterday’s north London derby defeat to Tottenham that leaves them in the Premier League's bottom six.
But having already topped Europa League Group B, a much-changed Gunners side is expected in Dublin and will still be hot favourites to win.
But Dundalk stalwart Gartland says it would be the icing on the cake if they could finish the season with a result against the odds.
“We’re looking for points,” the centre-back told Mirror Sport. “We’ll have confidence behind us and the shackles are off a little bit as we’ve a trophy in the bag.
“It’s been a turbulent four or five months and it’s a heavy weight on people. We’ve left a bit behind in the Europa League as we feel we should have had results.
“We had to manage personnel in one or two games when we might have otherwise come away with something, but then we mightn’t have won the Cup.
“So that decision has been vindicated. We’ll be raring to go and looking forward to it with a bit of pressure off.
“We’re not happy about the fact we’ve no points in the group so we want to top off a great week with a performance."
In another gripping FAI Cup final, Dundalk came from behind to beat Rovers in extra-time with David McMillan bagging a hat-trick.
And Gartland lifted the lid on what drove Filippo Giovagnoli’s charges to glory in their sixth final in succession.
“People have questioned us and written us off. I think a few guys in the media were very quick to do it after losing the Cup final last year.
“All the talk was for Rovers and as soon as we had a dip in form, it was seized on.
“Maybe we used a bit of that for ourselves as you need to make someone the enemy and have someone you’re pissed off with and want to prove wrong.
“When you’re at the top, people are trying to knock you down. The underdogs or the next team coming along is a new story and maybe a more romantic one.
“It’s hard for any team to stay 100% every game but for everything we’ve gone through this season, the team has come through it and won the cup.
“I texted Davy McMillan this morning and said ‘holy f**k, a hat-trick in the final, what’s it like waking up to that?’. I can’t imagine the feeling, it must be phenomenal.
“But we reached the group stages of the Europa League too so for such a turbulent season, as everyone is saying, it’s not a bad return.”
After the Arsenal game, focus will shift to player contracts as only ten of Dundalk's established first-team squad are tied down for next year.
They are Daniel Cleary, Andy Boyle, Darragh Leahy, Greg Sloggett, Stefan Colovic, Pat Hoban, Chris Shields, Patrick McEleney, Will Patching and Jimmy Corcoran.
Gartland added: “We know we’re good enough to compete again and get our standards back, but it’s up to the club.
“I just hope that whatever is done, it’s done soon and for the good of the club so they can be back competing for the league next year."
