Is it just me or does it seem an awfully long time ago that we last had a game of footy to contemplate? I suspect the schedule of one match every twenty minutes which we experience over the Christmas and New Year holiday acclimatises us to a more frantic agenda. Combine that with the ominous creak that is the transfer window being dragged open and we are in the kind of territory which kept Isaac Newton up chewing his pencil to a stub all hours of the night.
During the festive period time speeds up to an amphetamine insanity with exhausted teams staggering punch drunk onto the turf having barely had chance to get their kit dry in time for the next fixture. Vic Akers and his minions must have a bloody nightmare in the laundry room while the rest of us are carolling and making with the crackers and paper crowns. Then, without the opportunity to as much as change gear, we are plunged into January.
Each minute of this benighted month is like a long drawn out dental procedure. Time slows to a glutinous crawl as people spend their every waking hour discussing the most pointless and boring topic known to man. Transfers. Players who they don’t know (and occasionally some they do) and whether and for how much they might or might not leave their current clubs. Mind rupturing conversational tedium, flowing with glacially sluggish momentum throughout the internet and, I imagine, in the pubs and work places.
The dislocating effect of relativity turns my senses reeling and I can quite see why Sir Isaac got into such a lather about the whole thing. It will, in fact, have been a week since we last played. A performance which while not quite as bad as some would have us believe was nonetheless pretty turgid in patches. My experience, and my gut feeling, is that a side freshened up with a couple of new faces and after enjoying a full seven days of monopoly and table tennis ought to present a different proposition. The team which sweated and stumbled its way to the narrowest of victories against Newcastle should have revived sufficiently to put up a spirited defence of our cup.
Make no mistake this competition is ours to lose and everybody else’s to win. We are not simply the holders (or ‘champions’ as we are being encouraged, for no obvious reason, to say these days) but the most successful club in the history of the oldest football competition in the world. Our manager shares, along with George Ramsey, the position of the most prosperous manager in the competition. With no disrespect to the esteemed Mr Ramsey who’s most recent victory came, after all, in 1920, we can state without fear of contradiction that Arsène has enjoyed greater success in the FA Cup than any other manager in the modern era. Although I suppose that depends on when you date such a nebulous period of recent history. Gosh, time is a dodgy subject for a scientific illiterate like myself to get involved with isn’t it?
I shall draw a veil over the vagaries of temporal inexactitude and move swiftly along to assessing today’s opponents. Managed by the pugnacious, pug faced old warhorse that is ‘Big’ Sam Allardyce, Sunderland will be, as Arsène informed the slavering asylum escapees at his press conference, well organised and well motivated. This is especially true when one considers that the cup represents the only realistic opportunity for an open topped bus ride along the banks of the Wear in four months time.
Knock out competitions can throw up remarkable results. We all have our favourite memories from Hereford to Colchester, Wimbledon to Bournemouth – there is something for everyone. One of my happiest FA Cup afternoons was provided by today’s opposition. To be precise it was Bob Stokoe’s merry men, the 1973 incarnation of Sunderland, who pulled off a hugely unlikely Wembley win against the universally reviled Leeds United. We have also been on the receiving end of some horror shows in the Cup upon which I have no desire to dwell here today. My point is that given the propensity for surprising results in such competitions there is perhaps little to be gained from too close an examination of current form.
On the other hand I have a reputation for long winded seemingly never ending blogs to uphold around here, so with that in mind let us examine the current form of today’s opposition. Sunderland were convincing winners in their most recent fixture. That is just about as positive as it gets for the Black Cats I’m afraid. The win may have been by a comfortable three goals to one but it came at the expense of Aston Villa. Let’s be honest here. If Positively Arsenal put a team together tomorrow we’d fancy our chances of getting a result at Villa Park. Prior to that match Sunderland had lost five on the bounce and only Villa’s abject plight prevents the Wearsiders from being the bookies favourites to be entertaining the likes of Preston, Reading and Forest next season.
Granted we have blown hot and cold lately ourselves, but honestly, magic of the cup aside, we ought to have enough to get the job done today. This is realistic, positive observation. Not hubris, not over confidence and certainly not disdain for Premier League opposition. I know that none of us here are guilty of entertaining such deadly sins and we all know the players won’t be either.
The only circumstance I can imagine which might derail our defence of our trophy today is too many changes, such as those witnessed in the League Cup exit in Sheffield. While Arsène hinted in his press conference that he might rest Mesut but not Theo, I fear that the multiple change, over rotation junkies among you might be in for ‘little bit disappointment’ today. I certainly hope so. The frankly fanciful line ups I’ve seen bandied about (including I might add one which featured a player who has no connection to our club beyond that dreamt up by a journalist – shame on you) are no more than footballing suicide notes made up of player’s names.
I expect some rotation but more along the lines of Kieran, Ospina, Chambers and Ox than a sudden influx of youth teamers. But then we don’t do silly speculation here do we? Instead of second guessing the manager, let’s take a leaf out of his book and just take this thing one game at a time. The likelihood of any team winning the same trophy three seasons in succession are historically remote, statistically unlikely and extraordinarily difficult even for a great club like ours to contemplate. On the other hand we start each third round match with the precisely the same chance of winning at Wembley as every other club. So while we are realistic, and while we know we should look no farther than ninety minutes against Sunderland, it doesn’t hurt to dream just a little, does it?
Positively Arsenal 
Steww-the King of the pre-match write up, nobody to touch him always a pleasure to read-vivat rex!
Feel a bit nervous about this game today,I hope the lads can dig in and still have enough excitement for the competition.
COYG,lets fackin av em thats our cup and its time for another double.
Amen.
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Morning Stew, You are right, time has stalled and the rythmn hss been disrupted.
I fancy a few changes today, cautious as despite Fat Sam’s whining he would be like a dog with two tails if he managed a result today. What we both dont need is a replay so although both starting line ups may offer a chance to players who are not first choice at present the heavy artillery will be available in an emergency.
I see Sunlun have sold out a big ticket allocation today,the FA Cup is more generous to visiting clubs, so a bit of noise likely.
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You there today Andrew?
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This is one of a couple of blogs I read and I have to say despite your assertions of not being scientifically orientated your impirical usage of fact and evidence is somewhat refreshing, especially when compared to other blogs which will receive no direct mention. Good assessment of the day ahead keep em coming!
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No I resisted the urge so I shall be viewing it on stream from 3 – fingers crossed !
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Let’s all hope Sopcast remains stable. Wonder if George ever got it to work.
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Great stuff Stew. Your form truly is better than that of Sunderland. I really appreciate the humour. I especially chuckle really hard at this one: “Let’s be honest here. If Positively Arsenal put a team together tomorrow we’d fancy our chances of getting a result at Villa Park.” Can I hv dibs on being the manager. Apparently it’s a breeze. Twitter told me so.
I don’t think Arsène will bring in too many unfamiliar faces. He tried vs Wednesday and it backfired. He won’t risk defending the FA Cup in such fashion.
Big Sam find himself in a spot of bother. With Swansea being his next PL opponents and it being a quick turnaround between games, on top of that them being one of the few teams he fancy picking up points against it makes the Arsenal game a bit of a doozy. Will he try to get one over Arsène or had he already written it off to rather concentrate on getting Sunderland out of the relegation zone? Today will be telling.
May this weekend of FA Cup games spring some surprise results. COYG
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Cheers Stew. Fantastic. I must set you another ‘fit these words into the blog’ challenge . Look out for a tougher task than last time. A quintet of fiendishly tricky (almost definitely googled) words tweeting their way to you over the next couple of days.
Anyway, Woohoo! it’s FA CUP 3rd ROUND DAY. Has to remain one of the best days of any year. Yes I’m fortunate enough to be going but, genuinely, I feel jealous of any who find themselves tucked away in their shed with the transistor crackling as goals filter through across the afternoons airwaves. The minnows – and there will be one or two – avoiding being swallowed by some giant.
Ok, 3rd round day has already started last night -minnow number 1 gets a second shot at the flopping red giant – and the day is tv fragmented into a long weekend but… Today is FA CUP 3rd ROUND DAY and whoever and wherever you are it must be savoured and revered as a highlight of the football calendar because, whatever some may say, it’s the FA CUP! The most famous footballing club trophy there is and, as Stew says, the oldest.
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Another brilliant breakfast treat that warms me like hot porridge, thank you Steww.
Having just switched from the evil skysports to BT I’ve been able to watch Wembley Classics and along with 71 and 79 I’ve recently watched the heroic Montgomery keeping dirty Leeds at bay. Obviously the first thing you notice is just how ridiculous the tackles were and how noone batted an eyelid, although football dinosaurs may crave for these times that is one area where today’s football has improved immeasurably.
While we’re on the subject of football dinosaurs big fat Sam rolls up today being that strange phenomenon and old timer who uses today’s science, a sort of T Rex with a laptop. I have seen him throw this competition at least once at every club hes been at however today offers him the chance to get one over on Arsene while giving his players a shot in the arm.
Like Steww says we should have enough but I don’t expect this game to be exciting. North London is expecting heavy rain during the game so something approaching those old F.A. cup ties might ensue.
As always first goal is important 1-0 to the ARSENAL
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Oh by the way if anyone is going by the eaglet today I believe Kenny Samson is doing a book signing in there today 12-2 price £10
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Good morning Steww.
I’ll stick my neck out and say Arsene is aiming at another Double.
He’s listened to the Wobs and knows anything less is a Failure.
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Great stuff as per…..
Here is some more great stuff this morning http://goonersphere.com/youwrite/6414-what-next-for-mikel-arteta …
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the race to the double starts today. as usual, i expect some big teams to drop out this weekend. that is the more reason we need to approach this game with every seriousness. winning the league title is as important as winning the cup a record third time in this era.
bellerin, kos, gabriel, gibbs,
chambers, arteta, ramsey
ox, walcott, iwobi
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No pressure on the Arsenal today, eh Steww. You are certainly not dodging from this 3rd straight FA cup malarkey. Excellent as usual.
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Steww well done as per usual.
you always write well so expect to always be told so even if it is t repeat the same thing!
Would really love arteta and rosicky to stay on… all ways add positively to the team… so much that they can pass on!
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Nice one Stew,3-1 to the Arsenal today,no worries.
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COYG!
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Thank fuck for Mel’s waters.
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Unfortunately George he’s been on the brandy and clicked on the wrong link. He read the score of our previous game and thought he was having a premonition.
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Arsenal U18s beat Swansea City U18s 5-2 today
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What did Mel do? Baited breath…
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Shotta – his customary pre match prediction. Even the non superstitious among us get the willies when Mel says he has a bad feeling before kick off.
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As I suspected just Gibbs, Ox and Chambers with Iwobi the surprise choice. Curiously no Ospina.
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Ah – they’ve just said Ospina has a groin strain.
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Afternoon Gents! COYG!
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Who’s willie has Mel been feeling?or have I got the wrong end of the stick?
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Afternoon all – great write up Steww, yes it feels an age since we played. We either seem to struggle against the B Cats or roll the over, rarely anything in between. Allardyce’s brooding presence suggests it could be a bit of a battle but fingers crossed!
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shag.
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close.
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get in thhhhhhhhhhhhheeerrreee!!!!!!
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Perfect response. Total Arsenal goal. Hasn’t Iwobi looked bright?
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iwobi to walcott to Campbell, goal, 1-1
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Fabulous finish from Joel – made it look simple but it was anything but.
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Classic Atkinson there. Ignoring the handball, waiting for anything half way dodgy from us.
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Aki kacki!
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HT: 1-1
Iwobi has been good
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reports that Ospina not in squad due to a groin injury.
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Eddie Nketiah got 2 more goals for the U18’s today, in their 5-2 win, that is 11 in 8+7 games so far this season.
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pitchside HT report:
Yup iwobi playing his heart out be amazed if he can last 90.
Biggus Sammus targeting the ball in behind bellerin.
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Good contest and both goals excellent finishing – Theo much livelier than I have seen in recent weeks, Iwobi relaxed and enjoying himself.
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Pedant’s corner:
Newton = gravity
Einstein = relativity
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Giroud been a bit off form so far today, hopefully he will step it up in the second half
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Eastleigh 1-0 Bolton
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Arsenal well on top so far the second half, but up against a parked bus of sorts
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Campbell has a rolled shot cleared off the line, and Iwobi has a long range shot saved
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Parked bus ?
They can’t get the ball and they can’t get out of their own half
Under the cosh
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Ox hits the post, Walcott put the rebound wide
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I did say a parked bus of sorts,
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How unlucky!
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Atkinson can’t wait to give sunderland free kicks
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