Swansea City 2 – 2 Arsenal
1 – 0 Michu (58)
1 – 1 Podolski (81)
1 – 2 Gibbs (83)
2 – 2 Graham (88)
Three goals in the last ten minutes mean these two sides must replay at The Emirates in ten days time for the right to a seaside trip in the fourth round. Arsenal appeared to have snatched a late win but slack defending allowed Danny Graham the opportunity to salvage a draw, a chance that he did not waste. It summed up what had been a thud and blunder match, an insipid first half sprang to life following the interval.
It created an imaginary fixture list congestion with Arsenal facing a game every three games, the sort of fixture list that the players face before Christmas when the Champions League, League Cup and internationals all take place. For the media it offered the opportunity to offer the thought to the manager that this might require activity in the transfer market. It brought a flippant response from Arsène that the squad can cope if Abou Diaby comes back and he finds one or two players in the transfer market. He needs to dust off the cheque book quickly that being the case because relying on the French international’s fitness is pure folly and this fixture congestion starts next weekend. Still, it allowed some intense speculation over David Villa this morning which is better than nothing.
The frenetic finish to the tie seemed a world away during a first half which saw lots of passing that went nowhere from both sides. Swansea might have taken the lead with Szczesny making a fine save from Graham who outmuscled Mertesacker rather too easily, the German also failed to pressure Bartley intently enough as the former Arsenal player hit the woodwork although it is debatable whether Szczesny had that covered. Post-match, Arsène observed that sending players on loan is a double-edged sword with the expectation of playing matches creating an impatience. In that case, Wenger could not win; Bartley wanted to play so left. Had he stayed, no doubt his injury record would have been a stick to beat the manager with; more deadwood.
Arsenal created their own chances but more often than not these were snuffed out or finished with a tame shot; Michel Vorm was not extended in making any of the saves. Ramsey had perhaps the best opportunity but having weaved through the Swansea defence he took one turn too many, leaving himself no room to put in a telling shot at the end of his hard work.
The second half proved more lively with Olivier Giroud, almost making amends for an earlier miss, saw an outstanding volley saved by Vorm whilst Ramsey clipped his own heels under pressure from the defence, Wenger believing it was a clear penalty but not many others did. More lively but the awaited breakthrough came at the other end, Michu picked up on a loose ball and flicked it over Mertesacker’s head, scoring under pressure with a guided shot past Szczesny. Giroud wasted a glorious opening with a header following outstanding work by Ramsey, the Welshman’s last telling contribution.
His replacement, Lukas Podolski, did not make such a quick contribution to the afternoon as Michu; he took eight minutes to score. Swansea didn’t clear a corner properly, Koscielny returned the ball into Podolski’s path with the German unerringly into the corner of the net. Two minutes later and the tie had been turned on its head. Gibbs played a one-two with Giroud, the Frenchman’s return ball weighted perfectly over a static defence with Gibbs volleying superbly past Vorm. It seemed that Arsenal had snatched victory but that was short-lived.
As the final whistle beckoned, Arsenal went to sleep from a corner with Graham having time and space on the edge of the six yard area, lofting the ball past Szczesny. Koscielny saw a late header saved by Vorm, the rebound skied over the bar whilst Tiendalli saw a gaping space at Szczesny’s near post and went for glory, finding only the side-netting.
It was hardly surprising that Arsène was not unhappy at the replay, noting that it is better to have another match than exit the competition. Yet having secured the lead that late in the game, it is hugely disappointing that the team were not able to close out the game. That is a common criticism of the squad – more common that the mantra of “seven years without a trophy“. No matter what combination of the defence, only claiming eight clean sheets from thirty games this season is disappointing and underlines a problem that has never been fully resolved over a number of seasons.
What this week brings, who knows. It is disturbing to some extent that any activity was dependant on shifting players out of the squad. I understand why the manager might place more importance on retaining Theo Walcott but that is not mutually exclusive to strengthening the squad. There is a pressing need for both issues to be resolved but the club cannot be held over a barrel whilst Walcott decides his future; the deadline at the end of the month means Arsenal must force the issue and procastination met with the signing of a central striker with a greater sense of loyalty.
’til Tomorrow.
You got any plans to be in Texas after Easter?
Yogi – When exactly is Easter?
Is it true that Man City have not scored a goal at the Emirates since April 2007? Just read that on footytube but do not know if it is correct.
Last weekend in March
I do recall that the last couple of years they haven’t scored on us at home–0-0 last year and the year before didn’t we win 3-0 (they went down to ten men and we destroyed them)?
We always seem to play City tough. I hope we can keep up this record, but I’d prefer better than 0-0! Seriously, though, if we can get 5 from the next 9 league points v. City, Chelsea, and ‘Pool, that would be pretty good as we’d stay unbeaten, especially with the FA replay thrown in. 8 from 12 (victory vs. West Ham) would be even better.
I think that is a realistic mark.
I like the suggestion from AW that there might be one or two coming in. That would be really heartening. I think you are right, Irish, that he doesn’t usually say that sort of thing. Sooner the better though, if we are to benefit from the new players during the fixture congestion this month–what is it, 4 matches in 10 days?
Yogi – No I will be back in NYC by then. I have a contract starting in the last week of March and another at the beginning of April. We are trying to time our roadtrip so we can be in Chicago for St. Paddy’s Day, and back in NYC by the 20th of March.
Ah the madness of the modern world –
LSG – Personally speaking, I think with Rosicky back and possibly Diaby for the W Ham and Liverpool games, I do not see why we can not win all 4 games. Swansea at the Emirates should be a win too, as unlike last time we played them there we have a fair bit of confidence now, especially going forward. I hope we do sign some new players, with experience. Especially a DM, as I think Arteta looks exhausted. Cazorla needs to be rested too. We also sorely lack someone with real pace (other than Theo) up front.
Fixture list-
Premier League
Arsenal v Man City Sun 13 Jan 16:00
FA Cup – Third Round
Arsenal v Swansea Wed 16 Jan 19:30
Premier League
Chelsea v Arsenal Sun 20 Jan 13:30
Premier League
Arsenal v West Ham Wed 23 Jan 19:45
FA Cup 4th Round (If we beat Swansea)
Brighton v Arsenal Sat 26 Jan 12:30
Premier League
Arsenal v Liverpool Wed 30 Jan 19:45
Premier League
Arsenal v Stoke Sat 2 Feb 15:00
So it is not 4 games in 10 days but rather 7 games in 20 days. All the more reason to sign some new players who are somewhat proven.
Jonny – One Snoop deserves another mate (not quite sure what I mean by that TBH)
That fixture list gives me a boner
Nothing beats getting stoned with someone who’s never smoked before,even if your snoop.
Funnily enough, Ian Neale is my brother’s name.
I love his shirt.
How an Arsenal fan can show any understanding for the actions so the Dutch individual going to ManU is beyond me. Having spent most of his Arsenal career injured, the guy suddenly realised that he approaches 30, came to his senses, started ignoring the national team and playing out of his skin for a transfer.
His luck was that nobody at Arsenal had the guts to remind him of his multiple assurances to Arsenal fans.
But I’m not even sure who is worse in the saga: the Dutch traitor or the manager who sold his captain to his former rival.
I know, at some point I’ll become reasonable and will ignore the topic. The sooner the better.
Bwood – Too much information mate, way too much.
Jonny – Isn’t it amazing that when a middle-aged Welsh farmer smokes some wacky tobacky we find it so funny that it makes the news but if a 19 year old kid does it, he is a no-good loser who should be either locked up or thrown in rehab.
On a much more important note, a must read for everyone, everywhere –
http://www.sabotagetimes.com/tv/the-greatest-cartoon-character-rivalries-of-all-time/
I think it’s time to draw a line under the Dutch skunk issue, he didn’t want to play for us anymore , so fuck him, move on, it’s boring.
Mel is right but SV, RVP team wanted to go to United, it is not the managers fault.
Ignore team
Anicoll @ 1:42.
Sorry couldn’t get back to you sooner but just read your post regarding paying RVP somewhere close to a market wage around 200k/week.
“In fact if I was another players on say 60-70k a week I’d say more power to your elbow Robin
After which my agent would be round to see Arsene to ask why that Dutch c*** is earning more than three and a half times my client’s wage and demanding, by no means parity, but at least a wage that reflects my lad’s crucial importance to the side – ooooh say £110-120k ish
If not then obviously we will have to look at my options elsewhere
And when the club very sensibly cave in to our demands and pay me a tidy £90-£100 a week then I could live with that – job done
Sadly the player who was on £40k a week last week can’t – in fact as his agent says to Wenger “barely a living wage””
That’s not the way it works with other top clubs in Europe or the UK. Arsenal has has one of the top 10 wage bills in Europe for years and all of those other teams are able to pay a few players top wages without causing unmanagable wage inflation in the whole squad. According to that article ManU average player wage is 64K/week and ours is 61K/week. The can pay both RVP and Rooney wages well above 200K/week and keep a payroll close to ours. The idea that paying 1-2 players top wages will destroy the wage structure for the entire squad has no basis in fact. The flat wage may have been helpful at one time but there is no reasonable defense or logic for it now. The only reason we do it is because that’s what’s arsene wants.
Paul,
when Wenger tells us he is responsible for both transfers and wages, both individual and collectively, then he takes the kudos when he gets it right, but also must take the blame when he gets it wrong.
Selling RVP to Manure was an appalling mistake, sanctioned by Wenger.
Very interesting article this. Well worth a read and indeed, may offer a change from the RVP debate/snorefest
http://www.lifesapitch.co.uk/fanzone/arsenal-a-look-at-some-critical-numbers-over-the-last-16-years/
An awful lot of very good and not very good players have left Arsenal over Wenger’s period, willingly or not. Few have succeeded elsewhere, hence the “Arsenal curse”. Even fewer have succeeded over any length. On the whole Wenger gets it more right than wrong, even a cursory analysis confirms this. Wenger did not want Cesc or Robin to leave and was clear about this. They decided to leave; once they left I have no loyalty to them as an Arsenal fan, unless they rendered exceptional service. The distinction is ample, we did not “lose” and are not losing “our best players”. The rest of the tripe cooked up is just that.
Why are you all so worried that van Persie is doing well, for half a season so far, at United. Is it because he owes his career in many respects to Wenger and Arsenal? Or do you you secretly admire United?
Check Giroo’s stats after half a season and get really excited.
Zimpaul:
Giroo’s stats so far are have been rather pedestrian. He has not even been a regular starter and I think he has only scored 6 goals in 20 games. Not sure how how that would get anyone excited.
Phil, RVP wanted to go to Unitec and Wenger facilitated the move. He did not make a mistake, he granted the man his wishes, as he did Cesc to Barca.
You take him being a decent man as him making mistakes. You have it terribly wrong. Enough stupid games of holding onto players who want to leave and not letting them go where they want.
Paul:
Arsene helps players leave because he is a decent man. He cares about their happiness so much that he is willing to help them leave no matter how it affects the clubs results, the remaining players and the fans. I know you love to stay positive but that ones a stretch even for you. You can’t really believe that, can you? really ?
Paul,
So you think Arsene was stupid for trying to hold on to Cesc and Vierra for as long as he did?
Don’t think Arsene gets all emotional and all that with players. He is a cool and calculating man, otherwise he would not be a great manager, all top managers are like that. He sold PV when he realized that EPL is becoming too fast for him. He sold Pires, Lauren etc when he thought they were nearing their careers end. Lauren was kinda bitter about that, he said that in an interview. I think his current so called lovey-dovey approach is just borne out of circumstances.
Paul,
Wenger’s primary role is to the club, and not to an individual’s desire to join a specific club.
The question is not whether Wenger is decent or not, but would the gap between Manure and ourselves would be 18 points right now, if he hadn’t sanctioned the move. Has he significantly strengthened a ‘competitor’?
http://www.aclfarsenal.co.uk/?p=10360
This morning’s post
Bill, that is very simple. If a player wants to go to a certain club the man is going to try to make it happen. That is why Cesc said that he had him to thank for being at Barca. I think that is the right thing to do because a grown man should be able to do what he wants to do, even if we don’t like it.
Henristic, no, I don’t think Wenger was stupid and I am not dealing with trying to convince players to stay (I am sure that he tried the same with The turncoat)but when a player is adamanat you have to let them go. Cesc and PV were different stories from RVP all the same since he had one more season and he put a statement dissing the team.
Phil, come on man. If a player says that want to go to a club that is it. It is up to the team to move on without the player. It seems you missed the memo that Fergie said they had been working on the deal and RVP saying that is where he wanted to go? did you. Yes, it is not best to sell to United but that is where the man decided to go.
RVP had one more year on his contract and he was holding the handle and Arsenal the blade. Ah so it go.