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 
COYG!!
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Sunderland miss an easy chance after poor defending by Gibbs, too easily beaten.
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Cracking game this. Both sides having a go.
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Iwobi with another long range shot straight at the keeper.
Iwobi has really impressed, very at ease with the ball
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More Atki kacki.
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Atkinson is a cunt
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How did kacki see that handball?
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why isn’t Atkinson wearing green like the rest of the sunderland team
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Ramsey on for Iwobi
Arteta on for Chambers
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Shame Aaron had to come on, would have liked him to have a rest but great to see our skipper back.
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Fabulous defending by Gibbs there – had a very good game.
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walcott needed put a lot more power on that shot
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Ramsey with a fine finish after great build up play between Campbell and Bellerin
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Atkinson still a cunt
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Mels right again!
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ox with a great pass out to Bellerin, who puts in a superb cross for Giroud to slot home
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“a little harsh on sunderland” – my arse
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Atki kacki!!
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Who said Hector can’t cross?
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Atkinson is a cunt, cunt, cunt, cunt,
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well played Joel.
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the Jeff makes his debut – Reine-Adelaide on for Campbell
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Look at ‘ector go – see what confidence does for a player.
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oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
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FT: Arsenal 3-1 Sunderland
Atkinson is a cunt
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Good ol Arsenal!
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Excellent post, Steww.
Thanks.
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Just two things: Giroud in 89th minute heading out from a Sun. corner then running over to block the cross. He does more than score and assist.
And Joel Campbell: yet more proof, if it were needed, that Arsène knows best and I know nothing. Another super game.
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the same 3 AFC scorers as there was in the 3-1 win in the league v sunderland last month.
Iwobi looked comfortable in the first team, Bellerin was back to his marauding best, getting two assists, AFC gave away a soft goal, and a couple of poor pieces of defending coughed up a couple of other good chances, but overall AFC by far the better team, and despite not being at full speed, still had loads of good chances. Ox was very hot and cold, done some great things. Walcott apart from JC’s assist had little impact. Nice to see Arteta back, and Jeff getting his debut.
Oh and in case I did not say it earlier, Atkinson is a cunt
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PA man of the match? Im having the Ox.
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Eduardo, I’ve notice you are prone to bouts of finger pointing.
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Well, well, well. Mel called it again.
Hmmmmm.
Thanks Steww, for the sumptuous preview. Now for the dessert that is the review tomorrow.
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iDibs – Mel usually does.
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I can’t understand how the Ox was rated in several quaters today as well as on here. I thought he was poor along with Theo.
Maybe it was just the view from where I was. I’ll have to watch it again and pay attention.
Jeff, Iwobi, Hayden, Maitland -Niles, Chuba, Serge, players are coming from everywhere and doing well. The production line is churning them out so fast that any time anyone mentions the young lads they just can’t name them all. Good to see Chris Willock on the bench today.
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I though AOC was poor too. Held onto the ball far too long and passing was at times dire. Theo too should be passing more.
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Ianspace – There is an incredible footballer inside the Ox. Of all the players on show today he is the most devastating with the dribble but the end product is missing. He exchanged some nice passes in and around the box especially with Theo and Iwobi. When it comes together he will be devastating. Watch this space.
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Did Mel ever win the lottery? Spot on today again. He had a bad feeling about Southampton. I am afraid of that man. Best hurry back and click Like on his post.
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Theo’s dribbling had my knees wobbling but maybe he and the Ox were instructed to run at Sunlun’s defenders. I don’t think we should be too judgmental.
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I doubt they were instructed to run into them Shotta.
At one point AOC beat about 6 men in the middle of the park ,then just let someone take it off him.
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Today was a game the Ox needed in CM.
I have the impression that he’s lost a little technical consistancy following long spells out, and the longer the game went on today the better or more consistent his passing.
I haven’t ever commented on Debuchy’s performance against West Ham early on and given his absence today I don’t think I need to! the Ox was hung out to dry that day by the older veteran in my humble and insignificant opinion.
What he really needed was for that shot to go in! So close.
Let us not forget that chamberlain drive home the first stake into Chelsea this season, that’d explain why the talk sport wallahs would be keen on unsettling the player via trolling gullible fans.
Incredible player imo.
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They’re both trying to copy Alexis too much, but it’s all good.
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The pass from the Ox to Bellerin to set up Giroud’s goal, the cross/pass from Bellerin. Great goal.
V.strong finish from the Gunners I guess they knew that they had to keep Mel happy.
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PG: I remember that dribble but instead of feeling frustrated it convinced me of his quality. Later, the way he went one way and then another to make space for a shot that flashed wide was impressive. The end product is what’s missing. He is English and Arsene knows he will get the time from fans. I would worry if he was a foreigner.
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WENGER ON IWOBI, CAMPBELL, BELLERIN
Arsène Wenger spoke to the media after Arsenal’s 3-1 win against Sunderland in the FA Cup. Below is a transcript of what he said:
on working for the win…
When you play a Premier League team you are always going to have to work. We had a very convincing half and took over more slowly. In the first half we went one down and we had to find our way because we were sharp in midfield. After that slowly in the second half we took over, played in their half and scored great goals and created many chances.
on three FA Cups…
We have only one left to win. We have done it twice. What I will say is we take this competition with a desire to do well in it and to try to win it. It is a long way in the cup and you need a long run.
on the Ox…
He came on stronger as the game went on and in the second half he was strong. I must say he was stronger in the second half. Joel Campbell was very good. Alex Iwobi was one of the guys who was very good in the first half, he tired a little bit in the second half. Overall, they have done well.
on Iwobi…
I liked the timing of his passes. In the middle of the park that is a vital quality and that fact he plays forward and sees [things]. As a young boy he is not afraid to come on and that is not easy.
on Bellerin…
He became stronger and stronger. Sometimes I felt in the last 20 minutes, every time he went forward he created a chance on goal.
on if there is a better right back in the league…
I don’t know. Of course [he is among the best]. Look at the defensive and offensive numbers. The fact that he is only 20 years old, there is a lot more to come from him.
on fixture congestion…
There is a little bit. But I believe that the next step is to get Rosicky back, Welbeck back, Sanchez back, Wilshere back and maybe we will get one player in. Overall, I think we have no new injuries so I’m not worried. If we had the same number of injuries we would be a bit short.
on Debuchy leaving…
It is a possibility. I said that in the press conference the other day.
Copyright 2016 The Arsenal Football Club plc. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to http://www.arsenal.com as the source
Read more at http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20160109/wenger-on-iwobi-campbell-bellerin#OJ8GOhcJR5RS1jYG.99
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Enjoyable afternoon at the Emirates today. Ox is still lacking a little confidence and end product, but he needed that 90 minutes to help him get back into the groove. My man of the match would be Joel Campbell. I thought he was excellent today, hard work front to back, good hold up and link up play and fine finishing. I was pleased for Iwobi that he handled his debut game so well and it was good to see Jeff get a few minutes too. I thought all the reserve players did well today, but you could feel the quality go up a notch or two when Ramsey and Arteta bought their greater experience into play.
Another home game in the next round would be great, what say you Mel the sage?
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I wasn’t suggesting the Ox was awful but couldn’t see how so many thought he was pushing for MOTM. I do agree he got better as the game went on especially when Mikel and Aaron were around him to calm him down. He and Theo’s decision making is the thing that will take them to the next level. Like Limpar and Hleb before them they fall down when taking on just one more player rather than knowing the optimum time to release the ball. It is no good beating four players then losing it to the fifth.
Every team needs players who will take a risk and take players on however the balance has to be right.
Shotts I do think your right and the Ox will be a diamond, he’s just a bit rough at the moment.
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Wenger on Joel Campbell’s emergence: “Nobody expected him & suddenly he knocked on the door & said, ‘hey, my friends, I’m here’. He’s getting stronger in every game. He makes me think about Francis Coquelin last year.” “
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I too really hope Ox finds his mojo. There were flashes today – as mentioned, the wonderful pass with the outside of his foot to Bellerin to set up the second goal. And the shot against the post – unlucky. And one run down the left wing, though again with no end product. But his performance overall reminded me of what Andrew said the other day – he’s trying too hard. He was best when he kept it simple and he often tries to be too clever..
But man of the match? Not for me – Campbell or Bellerin, if there has to be one.
Aaron was also very influential when he came on.
4th round draw on Monday evening – hope we get ManU. Unfortunately, Danny won’t be back for it.
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normal service resumed at Old Trafford, dive, penalty, these refs don’t even try to hide their corruption
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