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 
I see Wenger trying all kinds of combinations in midfield but it isn’t working. Its the the players imo.
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Oxlade-Chamberlain on for Elneny
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well shotta if its the players, then wenger has to stop asking them to play a way the can’t and find a way to get them playing well.
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Come on you Mighty Reds – time to get the job done properly
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Warren Barton on my feed says Arsenal was tottally dominant in the 1st half. Can’t believe we are watching the same game.
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a couple of nearly balls in there from ox
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have our players ever met before,
another almost ball from ox
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Thinking the plastic pitch has some impact on the timing of the passes.
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Monreal awful there.
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Monreal done well there, Theoooooooooo with this 100th AFC goal in his 370th game
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Goal. Well done. I definitely prefer Iwobi as a #10.
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Ö @OliPriceBates 2m2 minutes ago
THE100
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Sutton with a couple of half chances since we went 2 up
and another one.
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ospina was barged off the ball, but of course that don’t count
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Eddy: Have to agree that Ospina was fouled.
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I see David O’Leary at tonight’s game, he has been at a lot of our games lately, I wonder is there a position for him at the club coming up. And I don’t mean manager.
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but its ok shotta, the sutton player just wanted the ball more, isn’t that how it works when its arsenal
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Deacon hits the bar
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Deacon can have my MotM vote now
Ffs
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Arsenal players need to start screaming like a stuck cat if the want a free kick, it seems to work for Sutton
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ox does a wonderful run but his ball in is poor, otherwise theo would have had a tap in
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Ospina just gets there
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Not surprisingly our midfield has improved with our #3 & #4 best (Iwobi and The Ox) according to Squawka on the field. More chances created & more penetration.
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73 minutes – Alexis and Maitland-Niles on for Reine-Adelaide and Iwobi
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so no booking for a two handed push, and what was it he booked xhaka for earlier
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isn’t it the magic of the cup to see tickets given by sutton to ex southampton employees instead of to their fans.
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I never thought I would find myself deeply troubled by our team….
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From a footballing point of view a much better midfield display in the 2nd half. Should have scored more goals but I will take that performance.
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I’m falling out of love with Monreal….
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Much better in the 2nd half G-P. I wouldn’t be so gloomy.
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I see problems that occur against tougher opposition. We rarely win a header in defence….
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Deacon gets BBC man of the match
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Theo is the one that concerns me G-P. Apart from his goals I worry.
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Needless, pointless fouls…
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I agree with you about Theo…
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FT: Sutton 0-2 Arsenal
poor enough game, ref very lenient with sutton players, arsenal passing a bit off, lucas and walcott with the goals. on we go, into the qf to face lincoln and that is all that really matters.
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G-P: Our central midfield is a worry in big games for all the reasons I have repeatedly documented.
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Bit more of a contest than I expected (was hoping for).
Job done ✅
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Maybe I expect Wengerball every time…..I want entertainment….perhaps the pitch was a factor. I wanted goals galore….
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Shotta
The midfield problems ARE the source of our woes….
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The banner wankers were given their platform….
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G-P: It is glaringly obvious that along with Ozil and the peerless but aging Santi Cazorla we need another very good experienced Central Attacking Midfielder in our team. It doesn’t make us unbeatable but we would be consistently more effective.
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I can assure you that is the correct result for the bloke who writes the post match.
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George Dugdale @GeorgeDugdale 19m19 minutes ago
Hate to ruin your fun but Sun Bets, Sutton’s sponsor tonight, were offering 8/1 for the keeper to eat a pie on air. All a little contrived.
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Really good professional performance on a horrible pitch against a poor team given license to employ career ending tackles.
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JB™ @gunnerpunner 11m11 minutes ago
DT might as well hold up a banner saying LOOK AT ME
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A poor team ?
Get a grip
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Sean FitzyG @sean_esq55 10m10 minutes ago
if this game went to a genuine ballot for tickets, can someone explain to me how all those cunts from arsenal tv got in?
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Get in the Sutton dressing room
Tell them they’re poor
Sort of rubbish Jose would come out with
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anicol Sutton are a poor team, that is why they are non league, and struggling in it too. AFC played at half pace and it was more than enough.
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