Afternoon all.
I love the FA, certainly more than the League Cup. There’s no denying that both are difficult to win as it seems the further clubs go in each competition, managers tend to field stronger sides. During the early rounds we often get to see a mix of squad players and youth players with the big guns on the bench. Standing by in case their services are required. The biggest impact a substitute has made was Thierry Henry when Arsenal played Leeds. Henry was about fifty years old by then and on his second return to Arsenal. His goal gave us a 1-0 victory.
Both English Domestic Cups award a place in Europe so yes, they matter. Liverpool are the leading the League Cup record having won it eight times, Arsenal top the FA Cup trophy table with thirteen.
Arsenal, along with Chelsea, Leicester City, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Norwich City and Sheffield United are left in this season’s FA Cup and I’d be disappointed if it were to be cast aside, binned because the fixtures can’t be squeezed in once Project Restart actually restarts. Would I feel the same if Arsenal weren’t still involved? Of course not.
I think we can be quietly confident that Mikel Arteta will take the Premier League fight as seriously as he will the FA Cup because relying on winning a cup for a route into European football is a dangerous game to play. As Unai Emery found out about a year ago when our Europa Cup display was nothing short of abysmal. By then of course, our Premier League top four spot had be surrendered with ease. The final two months of league football last season could so easily spelt the end for Unai Emery. Looking back, I think it should have, especially when one factors in the disaster in Baku. Hindsight is a wonderful thing but the guys running Arsenal football club should have seen then what direction the Arsenal path was heading, perhaps they did but instead of appointing just anyone, they played the waiting game so they could get Mikel Arteta. Who knows. What’s important now is Arteta is where he is.
I bet he’d love to win the FA Cup in his first season but to do so is going to be difficult. Sheffield Utd will certainly fancy their chances against us but they may very well miss their 12th man. No, not the referee but their fans. The fans who’ve been fantastic for them through their first season since promotion from the Championship. Not many clubs outside the current top four have done well at Bramall Lane, just Newcastle I think and we’ve already been beaten up there but that was before the Mikel Arteta era had begun.
As much as football fans would love to be back in stadiums supporting their team, for Arsenal, playing at neutral grounds might just be a help rather than a hindrance. Throw in the fact that six of our remaining ten league fixtures are away ones, perhaps that’ll help us too.
If Arsenal aren’t fazed by playing in front of empty seats, this season might have a very positive ending to it.
Stay safe guys and don’t forget to cancel your appointment at the opticians if you have one scheduled. Apparently you don’t need them anymore. A thirty minute drive will tell you all you need to know…
See you in the comments…
Arsenal have won 18 FA Cups, eh? I must have missed five of them…
Me too Nigel. Just a human error.
Hi Rico and All Nigel were did you get 18 FA Cups from considering on the 8th line states 13
I know we should be aiming to win the home and away season but The FA Cup for some reason hold a special place in my heart maybe it’s all the times as a kid sleeping in the lounge and getting up at 2am to sit with the family and watch it no matter who was playing.
Hi Geoff. Nigel was right, I’d written 18 by error but have amended the post.
Afternoon, Rico! What a lush day, hey?!
To me it matters, I love it….how great would it be for us to lift it again (ok getting boring now 😂😂) and for Mikel to have his first managerial trophy under his belt!
Back in the days when the teams would record a song, I wonder what ours would be today? I don’t think you can beat ‘Hot Stuff’ love it!!
Sheff Utd away – tough, very tough….haha, Rico, I’m pretty sure Dean or Moss will be their 12th man, as no doubt we’re bound to have one of them!!
How have you been, Rico? I’ve been in the garden (so hot!!), and am now looking forward to watching Dortmund v Bayern 👍
Afternoon Sue, I’d given up waiting for company so went off to read. Beautiful day again, we’ve been so lucky with the weather.
Agree re the FA Cup but don’t forget whoever the officials are for our matches, their conversations will be heard easier than ever before. I think they’ll be more exposed. I wonder whether VAR will be in place.
I’m good thanks as I hope you are? Loving the weather, the garden and the peace. 😆
I think it’ll be hilarious, Rico, can you imagine Martin Tyler having to say “sorry for the obscenities” every 5 minutes!! And that’s just from the players!
Haven’t heard a great deal from the refs in Germany so far….was gutted Dortmund lost…
I’m fine, thank you, a lady of leisure this week!! 🙂 had a fox in my garden yesterday… luckily Coco didn’t spot it!!
First FA Cup final was 1979, haven’t missed a final for Arsenal since, oldest trophy in the world, it’s the one trophy overseas players would dearly love to win. I love the whole build up, I live in Harrow and Wembley is one stop on the Chiltern line. Love the emotional “Abide With Me”, the atmosphere has always been brilliant, so long may it continue and I hate the fact it’s more and more de-valued every year
Nice one, forever 👍 I hate that too!
I reckon they’ll turn the mics right down or off Sue otherwise all the swearing will be picked up. But yep, hilarious if they don’t although not for the PC brigade perhaps..
A fox? Haven’t you got chickens? I always dreaded a fox getting ours..
Never been to one sadly Forever. I’m envious.
Not as yet, Rico… planning on it in the not too distant future, with a good few other animals! Give them the life they should have, hey?! Apparently this fox has cubs….
I’ve not been to one either ☹
Two Cup finals for me. 1964 West Ham vs Preston North End, I won a ticket in a raffle and 1971 Arsenal Vs Liverpool. Unforgettable!
Last week we had a Thrush nest with four fledglings in the garden, over the weekend two Magpies appeared and all four youngsters were taken.
Good on you Sue, they deserve nothing less. If you video the cubs, would you be kind enough to email me the clip please. I love foxes and their cubs, as long as they stay long away from my garden. 😂 Springwatch showed some tonight.
😢 Cicero. The part of nature I dislike…
I will indeed, Rico. Might take a while though 😃 I heard her this morning!
They are gorgeous!
Those darn magpies! My daughter came across 4 baby birds, fallen from the nest. Luckily she rescued them, as a cat was eyeing them up. Got hold of a guy who’s going to nurse them, then set them free, when fit and ready. Only thing was, she said the mum kept flying round looking for them. How heartbreaking 🥺
Fab, thanks Sue.
That’s really sad for the mum 😢
We feed the birds, the blackbirds have sultanas but the bleeding starlings and their babies eat the lot. Or the rats but they don’t live for long with an air rifle in the house. I hate them.
New post up now
Starlings are everywhere, and they’re so bloody loud!!
Good on you, Rico, they’re horrible!!
Thanks Rico sorry Nigel did not know Rico fixed mistake ( 18 – 13 )