The FA Cup still remains one of the sweetest competitions in England because of the countless drama that goes on the field of play. It’s the only tournament where a certain Lukasz Fabianski can be seen leaving his box like a raging bull to attack a Didier Drogba, who ends up dribbling him before placing the ball in an unguarded net in a semifinal. It’s also the only competition where a team can win another with seven recognized defenders in its starting lineup.
The pick of the 4th Round games saw a “Say No to Racism” get together as the four teams that dominated the headlines for racism allegations locked horns against each other.
The traditional handshakes were cancelled in Loftus Road because nobody wanted to see Anton Ferdinand and that ex-girlfriend shagger exchange blows before getting a chance to sweat on the pitch. In Anfield, Patrice Evra wore the armband for the Red Devils against King Kenny’s Red Army but the Uruguayan ear-biting spitting herbivore was seen on the stands not looking half bad.
Apparently, the football did the talking as Juan Mata’s penalty was enough to propel Chelsea to the 5th Round while a late strike from Dirk Kuyt ensured that the bullies from Manchester will have only the Premier League and Europa League to fight for.
Arsenal takes on Aston Villa today and many Gooners have high hopes for this tournament as its stands out as the most realistic chance of ending Arsenal’s trophy drought but the manager wants to put all his focus on the Premier League:
I have always told you exactly the same, the priority is be in the top four”
“In recent years I felt that we produced always the consistency at the top, top level and it is not enough for some people maybe, but for me that is the brand of a top level club – consistency in the top four.”
However, the boss said a thing or two about football’s oldest club competition. He uttered that he has won it four times, lost a final and has been in countless semis. He also talked about his FA Cup record and how his side aimed for the unprecedented quadruple last season.
If was Arsenal’s manager, I would fire all guns blazing in the FA Cup because the only “recognizable” threats are Chelsea and Liverpool and these are teams Arsenal can beat on their day. The Gunners can continue their surge in the league as the fixtures in February aren’t that bad.
The club has received a timely boost as Mr. Consistency Bacary Sagna is back in full training after suffering a fracture in his leg last October. Arsene Wenger is also relieved to have the Frenchman back. Djourou has struggled in the right position so the news of Sagna’s return is like good music to my ears.
Last season, Sagna’s consistency and fitness ensured that he missed only five Premier League games from a possible 38 and he was ever-present in Europe even though he got a silly red card following a bust up with a player when Arsenal played Partizan Belgrade in Matchday 6 of the UEFA Champions League. In just four and half years into his Arsenal career, Sagna is already closing in on 200 appearances and he has been a devoted servant to Arsenal since moving from AJ Auxerre.
In other Arsenal related news, Wenger has hailed Laurent Koscielny and for some strange reason, he said that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain reminds him of Wayne Rooney.
Koscielny deserves every plaudit coming his way because he has adapted fully in England and he has made a couple of impressive performances this season. As for the comparison between the Ox and Wazza, I’m a bit confused because the Ox doesn’t look anything like Shrek.
Arsenal takes on Aston Villa this evening but I’m going to write the preview for that game in the online community for Nigerian Gooners, WaZoBia Gooners.
The last time I wrote on that splendid website, Fred Flintstone was taking his driving lessons on a dinosaur.
Here’s to Mr. Consistency.
Welcome Bac’ 🙂
Sayonara.
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