The way the match started took us by surprise. We exchanged a look which spoke volumes. It was one of those moments for which the footballing book of clichés was conceived. The home side kicked off, a long ball forward, three runners breaking from midfield, bewilderment and confusion shaking the visitor’s defence, a leg outstretched in the mêlée, the keeper beaten. Less than a minute played, the score was already one nil.
Surely we were in for a rare feast of goals. If the hapless defending and powerful, direct running of the home side were to be repeated a few more times this could be an embarrassing trip north for the Wells City team.
Little did we suspect as we glanced knowingly at one another that thanks to some truly inspired keeping from the splendidly named Ed Baldy in the home goal mouth, we had, in fact, already witnessed the decisive moment. The result would be one nil, Odd Down had secured the points in the first seconds of the match and in truth never threatened the visitor’s goal again. Nor did they need to.
There were some nice touches, some bruising tackles, one moment which nearly resulted in fisticuffs and we strolled home feeling our six pounds had been well spent.
We are both Arsenal fans but for the day we had decided to go along and support my companion’s local team. And you’ll never guess what? The experience, despite over ninety minutes without a sniff of another goal, was easily the most enjoyable football related afternoon I can remember for many years.
After the howling insanity which followed what was no more than a disappointing result last week, returning to the simple pleasure of football for football’s sake was the perfect antidote. It made me realise how little I now care for the ridiculous overblown pomposity of Sky’s Premier League and its attendant hysteria. I’ve had enough. I’ll never stop caring about Arsenal, that thorn is sunk too deep to be easily pulled, but I can’t be arsed with all of the bullshit that goes with it any more.
Thank goodness then for non league involvement this evening. Thank goodness for the eccentricity of the FA Cup which can still throw up Sutton United versus Arsenal in an important competition and with a quarter final place at stake. This game at least feels somewhat removed from the usual fandangle and hyperbole that has all but poisoned any hope of enjoyment in the Murdoch Money Go Round.
I suppose I’m referring to the much vaunted ‘magic’ of the FA Cup and my God we could do with someone to wave a wand and give everyone back a little perspective in these febrile days of shameful self flagellation. With one non league side already through and destined to face the winner of tonight’s tie there is certainly enough romance for softies like me to reaffirm our love for this venerable competition.
Lincoln, I imagine, are torn between which outcome suits them best. If Sutton do to us what they did to Burnley then they will face non league opposition in the quarter finals and have the best possible chance to progress to an historic Wembley semi. If we manage to avoid being the fall guy in the biggest upset in the history of the tournament then they get to visit the Emirates – one of the greatest away days for any team. It’s win win for them really given the way the draw has panned out. If they do face Sutton and beat them they would probably meet Chelsea, Man City or Millwall. One of those they will fancy beating and the other two they’d be happy to share a pitch with. It’s fascinating stuff and whatever the outcome this has been a wonderfully unpredictable competition.
I assume we will see a similar side to that which last played in the FA Cup. This isn’t weakening our team as a mark of disrespect to either the opposition nor the tournament. This is realpolitik in an age where footballers are like racehorses brought to a level of fitness so taut that they are at once fast and powerful, and yet balanced on a knife edge with every fibre and sinew stretched to near breaking point. With vital league matches and a huge return game in the Champion’s League on the near horizon players have to be managed, rested and rotated.
Anyway, as much as I want to win, it’s just another football match and the nonsense I’ve witnessed in the aftermath of the Bayern game has made me ever more determined not to get sucked into the debate nor the histrionics surrounding it. Shout and moan all you like and the circus will roll on regardless. You had just as well demand an actor get sacked from the film you’re watching in the cinema as demand this player be sold or that manager brought in. Either way you’re living in La La Land if you think your voice matters.
Positive or negative fans have a simple choice; watch the game, or don’t watch the game. It will happen either way and it won’t notice you. Unless you come and watch Odd Down FC’s next home fixture against Longwell Green Sports. The attendance would then go from fifty to fifty one and I can guarantee your voice would get heard. I wouldn’t yell abuse at any of the players mind you. They’re big lads, and I don’t think they’d be quite as restrained as the Premier League stars you swear at on Twitter.
Positively Arsenal 
Snap, anicoll.
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Certainly my oddest moment as an Arsenal fan. Must be amazing at Sutton,everyone must be up for it. I wonder how our lads feel..?
COYG!!!!
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Just for you anicoll.
Sutton Team: Worner, Amankwaah, Downer, Collins, Beckwith, Deacon, Bailey, Eastmond, May, Gomis, Biamou
No Subs that I could see. lol
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I saw some comments regarding Lucas having the hump with Mr Wenger, and was spotted ‘jetting out’ (?) — and yet here he is representing the Gunners in tonight’s team.
Good man!!
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My mate Barry Retweeted
TCD @TheChelseaDaily 6h6 hours ago
Hearing reports that last season Mourinho had a training ground bust up with Ramires and called him a “Cadela preta” (Black bitch) This story is likely to break in the next couple of days, with the guardian claiming to have video footage. #CFC
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Gooners in arms,
Video referees are already here:
https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.cnn.com/cnn/2016/09/22/sport/anouar-kali-willem-ii-ajax-sent-off-video-referee/index.html?client=safari
As predicted upon the other place in some of my very first comments there if I recall correctly. As anyone who follows other sports could’ve done…Almost a decade ago! It still amazes me that football fans would argue against a simple statement of the inevitable, that based upon the numbers (especially the wonga at stake) was a probable feature of the sport in the future (it’s the inexorable and embarrassing delay in adopting this newfangled thirty year old technology that can’t be explained by rhyme or reason).
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Eddie,
Perhaps he meant “Black Magic” — bit like our Post Headline above.
[Allegedly] Maureen and Manure will wriggle out of this — he was also, allegedly, accused of being a misogynist when he, allegedly, disgracefully sacked the female Chelsea doctor, and allegedly called her a whore — wriggled out of that;
He, allegedly, also launched an assault on a rival team staff member when he was coach of Real, and tried to gouge out his eye — wriggled out of that too – allegedly.
One rule for one, and another for the others, allegedly.
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“Caught by our microphones, Sutton manager Paul Doswell expressing his disbelief at the strength of Arsenal’s team, accompanied by an expletive that I can’t print.”
‘Vengarrrggghh’ hehe
COYG!
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Theo is our captain, Souness and co being contacted for a comment a i write
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COYG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Fins @ 7:29 pm – The video ref is not a matter of IF but WHEN. You can’t stop progress. We even have hi-def video on our phones I will be happy to see the demise of the absolute power of the PGMO. The thing that amazes me is how the good and the great refuse to acknowledge the bias of the PGMO vs AFC in the last 10 years and definitely in the Riley era.
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GoonerGordo @GoonerGordo 2m2 minutes ago
We’ve not scored yet #WengerOut
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Our midfielders have not taken charge of this game, yet.
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Eastmond should have been booked for that dive
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My observation: Once you take Ozil and Cazorla out of our midfield it is quite functional and utilitarian.
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Xhaka booked
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Surprise surprise, was it the first chance Oliver got?
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Lucasssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss 1-0 to the Arsenal
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in truth it was a cross in for theo, but theo missed the ball and it went into the far corner of the net
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Blindingly obvious we’ve got to find another experienced creative type for our midfield.
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I thought Theo dummied that Eddy.
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Elneny down injured
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shotta it looked like theo tried to play it but missed it
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that is an awful tackle, but hey the magic of the cup means its ignored
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oliver seen that one, but not the one on iwobi
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Name does not begin with X maybe
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Xhaka was just reckless. No need to hold the guy.
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Reine-Adelaide booked
Arsenal players looking to take that extra touch, that extra time on the ball that Sutton are just not allowing. Need to speed it up a bit.
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squandered change there
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I may be obssessed but after 40 minutes: Not one assist from midfield.
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Seemingly Sutton players are immune to a booking
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Crazy from Ospina, and Sutton waste the gift
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HT: Sutton 0-1 Arsenal
its been a game lacking in quality, urgency and excitement, but its 1-0 to the Arsenal.
Arsenal looking to take that extra touch, playing safe, and of course trying to stay safe.
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Wasteful passing. Does anyone still doubt the imtptce of Santi’s 91% passing accuracy?
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1 shot on goal = 1 goal
Deeply unconvincing
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gunnerblog @gunnerblog 13m13 minutes ago
“That’s a proper tackle”. No, no it’s not.
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our midfield are more Elf than Santi.
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Shotta – Santi is injured
He will hopefully be back end of March – April
I think we need a teeny weeny bit more from the players on the pitch in the matches until then – don’t you think ?
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Not impressed with our performance…..
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for me there has been at least 3 Sutton tackles that would have resulted in at least a yellow if an Arsenal player committed them.
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Santi missed 25 league games last season, and has missed 25 games this season, its about time we figured out a way of playing without him.
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Standard procedure anywhere innit
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Im surprised that the Sutton fans havent made this the cauldron of sweat.Odd atmosphere in the game, more like a pre season fixture. Ospina nearly got caught up in some magic of the cup-he must remember that the pellet with the poison is in the flagon of the dragon!
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A5; This team is a shadow of the swaggering, dominant outfit up to November.
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I will no be surprised if we get a red card tonight.
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Sutton still in it
I am half way amazed, half way appalled, and half way spellbound.
But I could never add up.
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A5: He may have to move Iwobi to #10. Adelaide needs games but he doesn’t impress me in a central role.
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Jeff once again been underwhelming, the kid really needs a big moment to get his first team career motoring
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