All the hoo-ha which followed Man United’s defeat at the hands of a bleary eyed hungover Midtjylland who had apparently only just finished a seriously long Christmas party has caused me a little discomfort. Firstly if United’s results get any worse and the press and their own fans turn on the players and manager any more virulently there is a genuinely present danger of me feeling a pang of sympathy for them. Only a pang mind you, nothing more.
The thing is (and I know you didn’t rock up here to read about trouble on the streets of Salford, just bear with me ) it only takes a cursory glance at the injury problems, the media witch hunt and the awful fair weather supporters turning on their own for all sorts of bells to ring in the head of any Arsenal supporter. None of the responses I saw to their Thursday night defeat cut them any slack at all and before you start spitting on your monitor and yelling “But look at what they spent look at the money they’ve wasted” just remember what we have said to one another, year on year.
As our title hopes have been crushed by one insane injury blight after another, with multiple injuries in the same position, with players rushed back from injury replacing the newly injured thereby ensuring no continuity – what did we say? We said no club, no matter how rich nor how much they spend could succeed with those kind of problems and Man United are simply proving us right.
However, here is the real glowing flame of truth which flared up amidst the bonfire of United’s, and of course Chelseas’s, seasons. When we said no one could hope to sustain any sort of pressure for a top four finish, Champion’s League progression and a few decent cup runs, what we really meant was no one not managed by Arsène Wenger. If ever there was proof of the man’s abiding genius it is laid bare for all to see – super rich clubs with sought after world famous managers and top players simply cannot sustain their seat at the top table when faced with a huge drop in form or a run of bad injuries. Not in the way Arsène has done, season after season.
Honestly, we should all fall on our knees and be thankful for the great man and his enduring presence every single match day morning.
I raised my Arsenal mug to him this morning, this FA Cup Saturday morning I should say. A competition in which Arsène has, since, 16th February 2013, shown a marked reluctance to be beaten. The Beeb put this cute little video together covering all the things that have happened since last Arsenal lost an FA Cup tie – which is nice. Now all they need to do is arrange the live impaling and beheading of Danny Murphy on MOTD and they will have taken at least the first small steps towards rehabilitating themselves.
It’s an odd feeling when your team begins to enjoy a long run of success. Over the years of course we have enjoyed many such periods, some of them truly historic. On the one hand you approach matches with a certain swagger, a confident belief in the unlikelihood of defeat. On the other hand there is a feeling that the clock is ticking and just as all good things are, by popular consent, doomed to come to an end, so one can’t help wondering how far off is that inevitable day.
I start each FA Cup morning thinking, with crossed fingers clutching my lucky heather, ‘just one more day, just one more, I’ve not had enough of this yet’. I’m not dreaming of a third final (honestly, I’m not), that’s too far off in the distance, just one win at a time will suit me fine.
Hull have featured in each of our cup winning seasons and now they’re back again hoping this third time will be the charm. We shan’t be seeing Akpom or Hayden lining up against the side they hope one day to play for which is a shame for them but good for us as they’re both fine players.
The whole loan thing is interesting. Since Coquelin’s return and sensational impact on the first team the loanees no longer assume that their moves are the first step on the road out of the door. It may well prove to be just that for many players, but doesn’t have to be. What a great incentive young Francis’ fairytale must be to others languishing in one temporary placement after another.
I wonder if he’ll feature today? Something suggests maybe not as he is still coming back from injury, but honestly, the FA Cup line up is harder to predict than the standard first team so I’m not going to waste your time with that. Fringe players get a game, the odd youngster will too, and a few seeking to improve their fitness. However this is an important competition and there needs to be a core of first choice players or the lack of cohesion will cost us dearly.
I wonder if the tightness of the title race and the looming spectre of Barca might have put this lunchtime fixture into the shadows for some people. If so I heartily suggest they have a close friend squirt something noxious and cold into an orifice of their choosing. This is our FA cup people, this is as much worth fighting for this year as it was the last and the one before that. No team will roll over and make it easy for us, everyone wants to beat the holders (oh and please don’t use the word ‘champions’ in my presence. The champions are the champions the cup holders are the holders, end of story) and we have something to defend and something magical to aim for.
I can clearly recall the last time we made it to three consecutive finals and it is a wonderful achievement and one we will not repeat without everyone gets behind the team. The crowd in the Leicester City game were so important not only in hounding a referee so awful that even Andy couldn’t bear to mention him in his match review, but mainly in hauling the team over the line. I trust if you are there in person today that you can do the same again. If not, well, scream at the telly, shout at your monitor and annoy the neighbours. It might frighten the dog, the team won’t know but hey – it can’t do any harm can it?
Positively Arsenal 
Morning Steww,a fine piece covering all aspects leading up to the ArseHull. I wonder what Mel’s oceans have to say? I personally feel a bit worried about this one,and agree with you that minds are on the visit of the vampire and chums.But after last week lets hope whoever plays is like the Pastels,up for a bit.Thanks again Steww for a great read!
COYG,lets fackin av em!( to be said in the manner of Jimmy from Quadrophrenia)
ps
Harper Lee and Umberto Eccco RIP
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ah! Like my first cup of tea in the mornings Steww’s post’s are a relief and a pick me up at the same time, they are a drug i’m adicted to.
Well if it wasn’t for the most blatent hand ball in F.A. cup history being ignored by a blind or bent ref, we would already have three consecutive in the bag under Arsene and we would now talking about a double treble.
I am thinking maybe brucie will rest a few players as well because they have a tight fixture list as well, if they dont it will be a tough afternoon.
It not just difficult for us to predict the line up (although I think Ed, had a preety good go yesterday) with Tuesday game in mind it must be a nightmare for the manager as well. Some replacements are natural and still keep us strong such as keiran, however with both Kos fragile and Gabs out for both today and Tuesday who does he play at CB and If Callum plays in the middle does Hector have to start. It is important against these teams to keep a strong back four especially when your changing your keeper and you dont want him blamed for any and every indicision.
Apparently were favourites for the cup although as Steww says there is a long way to go and this year there are more big teams left in with bigger incentives to win it. For chelski and manure it might their best chance of a pot and for the spuds, who seem to draw alot but are rarely beaten, their form would suggest they should do well. I also think there are more teams like west ham who can beat anyone on their day who could also snatch it.
I nice win today and maybe even young Alex getting on the scoresheet would be the perfect tonic for Tuesday and well just because its always a great feeling to win in the cup. COYG!
LikeLiked by 1 person
FA cup morning tonic. Thanks Stew.
14 FA wins on the bounce, a feat that started with our North London neighbours and Hull playing their cyclic part… we are part of something magical here eh?
And after that late win vs Leicester there’s a certain camaraderie in the Goon-verse, an extension of the Emirates faithful putting their all behind the team last Sunday ofcos, making the rivalry between them and Mike Dean the one I’m most looking forward to.
A good convincing victory with Alexis getting his mojo back, Theo finding some consistency and THAT GUY making believers out of us all over again ahead of Barça’s visit would be awesome – even though a 1-0 win would also suffice, for other simplistic reasons.
COYG!!!!!!!!!!!
LikeLike
Testing
LikeLike
FA cup morning tonic. Thanks Stew.
14 FA wins on the bounce, a feat that started with our North London neighbours and Hull playing their cyclic part… we are part of something magical here eh?
And after that late win vs Leicester there’s a certain camaraderie in the Goon-verse, an extension of the Emirates faithful putting their all behind the team last Sunday ofcos, making the rivalry between them and Mike Dean the one I’m most looking forward to.
A good convincing victory with Alexis getting his mojo back, Theo finding some consistency and THAT GUY making believers out of us all over again ahead of Barça’s visit would be awesome – even though a 1-0 win would also suffice, for other simplistic reasons.
COYG!!!
LikeLike
A great day in prospect against a genuinely good football team ,I predict a strong starting line up and a strong bench. We shall sort out Hull and worry about the next game when Deano has signalled our passage to the 5th round draw.
LikeLike
Thanks Steww
I’m in London, at my mum’s. I’ll be setting off soon for the Grove. I’m excited….
LikeLiked by 2 people
Apperently as hull have games tuesday and friday brucie will rotate his squad today, however loanee nick powell will defenitely start. i have seen nick play against our U21s and he is a talent (obviously not as good as Chuba), he will need to marshalled well today.
LikeLike
Wonderful post Mr. Black.
I sometime think I am a lone voice when defending LVG. He has not become a bad manager,his football may be dour,but its a massive injury list tat has made the results poor. Just before Xmas, when he had some fit players, they were top of the league.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice one. Spot re Arsene being shown as the brilliant man he is by the shenanigans at old Trafford and also at Stamford bridge. Something I’ve been yelling at many who stand in my way.
Just downing last morning cuppa to help warm up the vocal cords and about to set off to perform the task you ask of me.
UTA.
LikeLike
Too busy (lazy) to comment properly but the following from Steww is the category killer of Arsenal blogging in my opinion:
“However, here is the real glowing flame of truth which flared up amidst the bonfire of United’s, and of course Chelsea’s, seasons. When we said no one could hope to sustain any sort of pressure for a top four finish, Champion’s League progression and a few decent cup runs, what we really meant was no one not managed by Arsène Wenger.
If ever there was proof of the man’s abiding genius it is laid bare for all to see – super rich clubs with sought after world famous managers and top players simply cannot sustain their seat at the top table when faced with a huge drop in form or a run of bad injuries.
Not in the way Arsène has done, season after season.”
Enough said.
Great piece Steww.
LikeLike
Top-top quality. So much wisdom to be gained from a game preview. Your observations about Man Utd and parallels with The Arsenal are spot on. I never gave that much thought although in the middle of their struggles in midfield on Thursday i wanderered whether Schweinsteiger was even alive. Like you, when I see all these big clubs yo-yoing despite the billions they spend, although I am not a religious man, I pray to the gods for believing alive to witness the genius of Arsene Wenger
LikeLiked by 1 person
I see a few of you mention (as others have done in Arsenal blog world), how the crowd v LCFC acted like an extra man, helping to drag the team over the line, baiting the ref (as should be done far more often, and Dean should get it in the neck today for past indiscretions), so I must ask any of you who attended the game, how nice was it to see no tourists, no non local fans, only “real local Gooners”, and was it merely down to it being Valentines day and the late change in fixture date, that led to all those nasty, non supporting, selfie types to not go to the game, or is that whole soundbite about our “visitors” the load of bollocks that many of us believe it to be.
LikeLike
Superb Steww. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
the real fear re man utd is that the media and fickle fans will have their way and jose will be manage by time we roll into town next weekend, and it will lead to vital points dropped by us in the title race.
LikeLike
I’ll be lucky enough to go today if I manage to finish my brunch in time hehe and I was more then lucky enough to be at that Leicester game and as passenal said it was a day you could feel proud of the home support. More please!
Met the organisers of one of the Palace fan groups yesterday the one that organised the seating allocations etc in their ‘singing area’ but it was a lot more then that when they started it. Not focused on telling the chairman what to spend, they ended up with the chairman’s phone number and direct access!
Things are a little different down there now after a few years in the PL, but they don’t blame their manager for the stewards now keeping the fans out the dressing rooms, replacing jumpers with goal posts etc now that they are an established PL club….
LikeLike
eddy the special one may be pulling desperate strings and calling in favours from his business partners in the media but he ain’t there yet. Fair to say this isn’t the forum where people care about Murdoch’s memes, a pox upon all their Mules, feck ’em all.
I’d worry about Hull.
LikeLike
Many thought Schneidy would win someone the league. Any news, what’s happened to him?
Conversely a player many AFC fans have been impressed by since his opportunistic arrival travelling in the other direction might get the start today. Danny Welbeck England’s leading in form forward at the time caught people’s imagination last year, we thought we’d lost him for the season or worse. where can he go from here?
LikeLike
Leicester was a great atmosphere, although only after the officials disgraced themselves not really before. Maybe we need a warm up act to make the crowd angry before each game, like a spud with a trumpet or something. Maybe the sight of deaan will be enough
LikeLiked by 2 people
LikeLiked by 1 person
starting 11 as expected, strong subs. All that remains to be seen is will it be Welbeck or Theo up front
LikeLiked by 1 person
not in the 18 man squad today, Cech, Ramsey, Ozil and Arteta, plus the injured Gabriel, Wilshere, Cazorla, Rosicky, yet the AAA say we have a weak squad.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hull make ten changes, including a debut for Powell
LikeLike
Arsenal disrespecting the FA Cup again, with their 9 changes.
LikeLike
Excellent stuff Steww, some really valid points…..history will judge Wenger a lot more kindly than some of the media, pundits and WOBbles. LVG has a pretty impressive record as a manager, but, horrendous injuries aside, it just seems his team either cannot, or will not adapt to his methods, highlighting another pitfall for a manager. If widespread reports are to be believed, Utd will soon sacrifice what is left of their soul for something short termist, and ultimately, damaging to such a brand and reputation. A trophy or two followed by a car crash…..Utd , for all their flaws should aspire to a bit better. They were once seen as an attacking team who would give youngsters a chance…..lets just see what their future holds, nothing like fear of the neighbours to inspire panic reactions.
Great point on the fans against Leicester, just hope they have found their voice, and can use their anger against opponents and officials, not their own.
Good luck to the boys today, up against a worthy opponent.
LikeLike
Injury to Gabriel means no rest for Kozza, Chambers swaps with Bellerin.
Last week was the first time we saw the BFG at RCB and Chambers the other side, a result of circumstances previously it’d been the other way round, but it worked well. We saw Chambers playing in similar form to when he arrived and impressed everyone playing at CB opposite Aguero in the Super Cup and for a while thereafter.
LikeLiked by 2 people
They were once seen as an attacking team who would give youngsters a chance….
Fortunately for us Danny got out whilst he still could.
Doot dooot doot doot Danny Welbeck
LikeLike
in a game they need to win to finish in top 4 to get in the highest section of the play offs, Arsenal U18’s are losing to spurs 1-0, with about 30 minutes left.
LikeLike
the battle of the Pharohs – Elneny v Elmohamedy
LikeLike
COYG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! eff off you dancing Dean!
LikeLike
u18’s losing 3-0 with a few minutes to go,
LikeLike
so much for a new generation of fans being priced out of games at the Emirates, the bloody place is half empty, and it a Cat C game, its time this soundbite is put to bed
LikeLiked by 3 people
No penalty for a deliberate handball. Well of course.
LikeLiked by 1 person
no surprise Dean does not give Arsenal a penalty for Bruce handball, the defender leans into the ball on a long range Elneny shot to block it with his arm,
LikeLike
moving in the right direction…
LikeLike
Welbeck heads straight at the keeper, after good build up from Elneny and Walcott
LikeLike
Elneny is a one touch king
LikeLike
welbeck shoots straight at the keeper after good through ball from Chambers
LikeLike
Iwobi curls one wide
LikeLike
ball blasted right at Flamini from a yard away and hits his arm, free given, Elneny shoots from twenty yards, defender leans into the ball and blocks it with his arm, no penalty given, Dean at his usual bias best.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Arsenal still knocking on the door, Walcott close, Flamini poor touch stops a fine move
LikeLike
Dean books Maguire for a clear dive
LikeLike
Maloney booked for foul on Walcott
LikeLike
crowd very very quiet
LikeLike
Iwobi doing a really good job.
LikeLiked by 1 person
welbeck almost gets in
LikeLike
Mathieu Flamini linking the attacking play so well. Many more strings to that man’s bow than he’s ever credited for.
LikeLike
looks like a dive by Welbeck, and he seems to have hurt his arm doing it
LikeLike
Linesman gave nothing Dean book Kos despite being 400 yards behind the play
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kos too casual there and ends up bringing down the attacker and gets booked.
LikeLike