Well that was two days of the most extreme emotions.
In the run up to the kick-off I was quite calm. I was sure we would win. In fact I was sure we would win at a canter. But that wasn’t to be. No, it was like the script for a Rocky film, with us continually lifting ourselves from the floor before finally landing the knock-out blow. A triumph of spirit and heart .
I watched the game at home with a United supporting mate of mine. My little dog sitting cuddled up next to me and a beer in hand. I was even feeling well enough to partake of some nibbles the Mrs had laid out for us. I was going to pontificate on the wizardry of our play and bask in the reflected glory. Well, so I thought.
After eight minutes the dog had scurried upstairs and hidden under the bed. Assorted random articles and ornaments were flying across the room and the air was blue with choice words. Two minutes later I was just slumped in the chair with a stupid grin on my face, shaking my head in disbelief.
The wife came in, saw the desolation around the room and asked me what had happened. In a panic I told her it must have been a poltergeist, something I regret, as she want to move home now.
Now we have a free kick and Santi is standing over it. I turn to my mate and say “Don’t fucking shoot from here Santi” he replied – “Wow, there you go, back in it”
We were. I thought “Another seventy minutes to get an equalizer – no problem.” Well I suppose I was right but it was a heart-wrenching time.
Although we were on top the goal just would not come.
Ozil pulled a Gervinho and completely missed the ball on its way past him when any touch would have done.
Gibbs? Well only he know how he managed to miss.
I counted four stone wall penalties waved on by someone in black doing an impersonation of a referee.
Finally, the man who makes a habit of scoring crucial goals managed it again in rather a scruffy situation.
On then to extra time.
Aaron confirmed his legendary status and we were the 2014 FA Cup winners.
When the final whistle went there was an outpouring of joy from the fans, players and staff, such as I have never witnessed.
The consequences of us losing were frightening. Arsene said his future was not going to be determined by that one game. I think it may well have been.
The meltdown from the fans would have been simply overwhelming. I honestly think the tide would have turned too much for both him and a lot of the players to turn back. Spurred on by a blood thirsty pack of second rate journalists, unemployed experts and attention seeking bloggers, it would have been a veritable feeding frenzy for the dimwitted.
Anyway, win we did and that meant a parade with all the fun and joy that went with it. A great day was had by all.
Now we are told that the great man will be signing a three year deal.
Life just does not get any better.
Positively Arsenal 
a club legend……stay bac..you too ludovine !!!!
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And LUDVINA. For gods sake think of us fans. 🙂
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BOOM!! That’s it Hunter well said dude.
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If Bac signs for Citeh on that sort of wage and a three year contract fair play to the man
Zabaleta is one of the few full backs I would say is at worst on a par with Bac and probably ahead in the position so unless the Argentine is injured I can’t see Sagna as a regular starter – as for his qualities as a centre back he will be behind Kompany and Di Michelis, at best a 3rd choice as he is at the Ems
You would have thought Citeh would be a bit more cautious in buying players from us as the outcome has been patchy at best -Ade ? An expensive flop Clichy ? A cheap flop Nasri ? Expensive curate’s egg Kolo ? See Clichy
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Re: Sagna – I am with Anicoll.
31 years old: 3 years contract at 150K per week with a generous signing-on fee. Arsenal would be foolish to be part of such inflation. Cheaper but equally endowed alternatives are available. I love Sagna, would love him to give us 2 more years. If I was his agent I would pound him to “sign da ting”.
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Sorry but I love bacs and think he seems a genuine person unlike some of the other shits that have landed looked around and sprung off again. Obviously he will be happy signed a massive contract however I truly believe on a personal basis he will be sad to leave.
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all true gooners at the moment
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He is certainly nice honest guy and after the ups and downs of the past few seasons, culminating in the triumph on Saturday, he would need a heart of stone not to regret leaving.
However its his choice, as I understand it. He was made a good offer to stay but there is better available elsewhere. Fair enough I have no problem with that.
I admit I know as much about the real details of the negotiations between Bac and AFC and MCFCs offer as every other liar on the internet i.e. nothing
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If Sagna goes to City then that’s the way it will be. He gave his all for us, got bis leg broken twice in the service of the Arsenal, never said a bad word about club, team or manager. He didn’t agitate for a move after one good season (*cough* Nasri, Adebayor) or said he wants to win things with Arsenal just to change his opinion a couple of months later (the Dutch little boy). For me, Sagna is in the same bracket as Toure or Clichy: a proper Arsenal legend and I can’t be mad at him for using the last big career move he has to go earn stupid money. I wish he would stay, but his mind looks set. If he comes back to the Emirates in Man City colours, I’ll still applaud him because he has earned our respect.
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DJ Cacofonix:
….’allo goonerpositivistasofdabestfootieteamindawww….(hic)…sorry I’m a bit late…
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Quite right Evil – with you there
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recognise the peasant on the left?
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When losing Bac at 31, it only creates an opportunity. Don’t see it as a loss. It’s a bit of a silly signing for City in my view, especially if 3 years, because 31 is more or less the start of the downhill phase, except arguably keeper and CB, and in rare cases (TR7). Yes, maybe a couple more goals might be shipped on our right as we nurture someone, but a new player will emerge or arrive, who will be better than Bac at some things, and worse at some things, and will grow fast. Arsenal has right defensive pedigree you see, all the way back to Pat Rice, and some things never change. As for Bacary Sagna, a fine and respectful gentleman in every way, a truly great player, and a strong spirit, I wish him only the very best and I am very happy if he ends his Arsenal days with a trophy in his back pocket too. If it is City, yes, he will be a Clichy for them for a season and a half, then gradually becoming a well-paid bit-part player. Then again, I have a feeling he might just stay and take his chances with a bigger offer from Arsenal.
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As much as I love Sagna, I’d rather have Jenko and Serge Aurier fighting it out for the RB position next season, with Bellerin right there behind them. I’m truly convinced Jenks is going to be an awesome right back if given the chance.
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“recognise the peasant on the left?”
Holy shit, he looks like had been plucked out of his village only hours before that photo. Hahahahahaha!!!!!
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Be interesting to see what happens with Jenks – the current range of options is;
a) he stays as back up for a season or two and develops, in the interim we sign a good first choice.
b) He is good enough now if a bit raw, certainly he has as much experience as Ashley or Gael when they stepped up at a similar age
or c) he needs to go out on loan to really have a solid season of playing football week in and out to really get him up to speed
I have always had a soft spot for the player who made his debut in the 8-2 slaughter at Trafford Park, so I vote b
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Jenks made his competitive debut against the Udines, and Di Natale. And did very well in those epic games. That must have been his league debut in Manchester?
I’m happy to go with B. That epic and what must have been terrifying debut in the CL against the Udines, the performances in the 5-3 at chelsea, in Munich. He’s had some good games spread out over time. Encouraging.
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And as if by magic the story of yahya wanting to leave shitty due to disrespect and ‘ no hand shake mansours Arab owners aversion to touch a black man’s hand appears in the news to makeup SAGNAS mind up for him. I would not work for anyone who thought of me as a second class human being no matter how much the basterd paid me.
He should stay where he is loved and kissed on top of the head after helping on bringing the FA CUP HOME.
on another note, pricbert is an a••••le of the highest degree and shouldn’t be referring anymore in the EPL. demote the scum bag .
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You’re right about Jenks fins making his club debut against Udinese and I see he even started against Liverpool before that infamous day in Salford
Has any youngster had a more explosive start ever ?
His height is another useful factor at 6-1′
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I don’t understand the debate about Jenks. He is good enough already, IMHO. No need to go out on loan.
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If sagna goes Jenks starts; if aurier comes, they rotate like monreal and gibbs with bellerin right there and thereabouts…
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I like the idea of two young, gifted RBs competing for a spot in the starting eleven. Someone like Nathaniel Clyne would fit the bill perfectly.
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Apparently, Serge Aurier is a massive Arsenal fan. An Eboue fan no doubt.
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sagna has given a lot to this club. and the club as well as the fans have given him a lot in return. wenger as well love him so much that he kissed him on the head in public. something rarely done by him.
but all i’m saying is that out of respect to the club, the fans and arsene in particular, he can always sign for a club in another league. if it’s money, monaco or psg can match shitty. if it’s trophy psg is a certain prospect than shitty. if for football reasons, he is sure to get into the first eleven in both monaco and psg than at shitty. if for common sence though, he needs to stay here with us as he is due for testimonial in just two season and can cement his legendry status here next season by winning the league title.
why his mind is made up on going to shitty is still beyond me.
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Granted the club and manager offered a fantastic working environment for sagna to make his living and flourish, but he has returned that ten-fold with his performances and character. To me Sagna is arsenal’s symbol of resilience, fight and work ethic. This is not some bastard child like ashley cole nor some disrespectful little shit like cesc nasri or robin. I fully understand the club’s position and it is risky considering the world cup and diminishing performances past the 32 years of age mark but as a fan it saddens me that we cant honour such a legend with a bonus signing. He is a machine – robot javie zanetti and i easily see 2-3 years in him. He had just broken his foot/leg and he was there on crutches to celebrate pat rice’s birthday/retirement party, whatever it was. Arsenal through and through. Salute the Dark Ninja ! epic right back ! tackles…running..heading…very rarely beaten and always …ALWAYS providing the option whether its the 12th minute or the 94th minute. supreme athlete..and that goal against the scum and its importance will stand as one of THE arsenal moments in history. But ok we have let go players like vieira and pires….so goodbye bacary and welcome carl ! carl will grab this opportunity with all three hands and he looks like a fast learner too.
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So the grumpy bear is not enamored with Arsene’s contract extension…..well, well….
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Haven’t posted here for a long while bt I’ve always taken my time to read through all the great posts and mostly reasonable comments of everyone.
As today is my birthday, I have a little time to spend on here today and to belatedly congratulate all you great fans who stood by the club and manager during the trophy drought
Saturday was one of the happiest day of my life. A day I neva had to explain why we’ve endured the lean years to some st*pid people. It was a day that even d most hypocrit of fan all celebrated. I hope and hope again that this will kickstart the beginning of a trophy laden end to Arsene reign.
As I’ve had a pre-birthday gift, nothing more really counts.
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Birthday greetings Lankylorde
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Happy birthday Lankylorde. Don’t wat ’til next year to return. LOL.
Sagna? Que sera, sera.
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BTW: Where and when is the opus promised by Fins?
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So the grumpy bear is not enamored with Arsene’s contract extension…..well, well….
i read the yday entry and the question at the end reminded me of cold war propaganda, n korea and goebells routines… the daaaaaaaarrrk.
……..is there a change we have all hoped for i ask? or is this a false dawn ? …
such poetry, such concern, i nearly wept….
“will the batman solve the riddle? what will happen with CKatt- woman ?!!…same bat -time..same bat-channel”
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There is nothing worse than having to tolerate the already made up opinion/mind of an idiot who has got it wrong and pretends that democracy gives him the right to talk bollocks freely without accountability.
Or how they turn and call you a fascist when you call their opinion nonsense, rubbish and stupid …. They do not want a freedom to an opinion, they want the freedom to piss on the work and principles of others mainly due to media access exposure and some false sense of entitlement.
What i hate the most though is presenting them with the scenario that is the closest to the reality of arsenal and because they dotn want to admit it (agendas?) they consider it as just another opinion when its stronger and more correct and takes more elements into account than their single minded approach
Democracy is a political regime which allows you to select/vote your rulers. it has nothing to do with opinions on highly technical and financial sports matters. If they mean perspective and interpretation then they need to take far more many things into account instead of black and white concepts like : trophy = winner / 2nd place = gutter, or 8 seasons- no trophy- get lost youre useless.
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Thanks for the birthday wishes. I’ll be available more often now.
And hopefully I should b in the England soon and have my 1st Emirate experience @ the start of the season or thereabout. Looking forward to meeting a few positividas especially PG (he’s a brave man on twitter).
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While we’re discussing the RB position we need to remember Tafari Moore has hit the ground running since Bellerin went out on loan and he come into the u21s, he is still very young but has something of the Sagna about him in the way he plays. Obviously he is a few years down the line but the production line is definitely there
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New Post is up “A Case For Wengers Defence ” by @Swales1968
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