Hello everyone.
Starting with the big news today, namely, our semi-final clash in the FA Cup. Before City played Wigan at the Etihad, the seeding took place and Arsenal was paired up with the winner of that pair. To which my first reaction was: "That's it, we'll have to play City". Have I considered the possibility of Wigan beating the moneybags at their own place? No. The only thing that stopped me from saying we'll definitely face City was faint hope we won't, based solely on the fact I didn't want us to. I understood how strong Pellegrini's team was and that they would, in all probability, sweep aside last year's winners. One look at the starting line-up told you all you needed to know about the outcome of this match.
Except it didn't. The first shot on target came from the Latics in the 27th minute, when Jordi Gomez converted the penalty after Demichelis made a mistake in his own area. City, meanwhile, didn't register a shot on target in the entire first half.
Right after the restart, Wigan scored again and City found themselves 2-0 down.
Pellegrini made a triple sub in the 53rd minute, but his side's first shot on target came only in the 60+ minute. It may even have been the goal from our old friend Nasri.
However, City failed to get another (though they went close a couple of times) and, as a result, Arsenal will play Wigan approximately a month from now. What a touch of good fortune, eh?
And I think it's about time we got some. We did our damnedest from the very start, had to play Spurs, Liverpool and Everton and just about deserved an easier draw. Somewhat surprisingly, it comes in the very late stages of the competition, but no one will say we didn't deserve it.
Yes, we still have to win two games. Yes, we'll have to turn up with our usual quality performance and be at our best to win the cup, but there's a whole world of difference between being at our best and this will definitely suffice and being at our best and still having a good chance to lose.
Overall, we are now in a strong position to finally end this trophy drought. While some may point out how we lost to Bradford and Blackburn (and Birmingham, let's not forget) I'd say we're a much better side now than we were even a year ago.
The fact, that Arsene Wenger will be the man at the helm to lift the Cup (in case we win it) is hugely satisfying. He's done a very good job on the team in less, than a year and this should not go unnoticed. We may fall just short of winning the title or the Champions League, but even snatching the FA Cup will be a step forward. More like a leap forward. I'm sure that with a couple of summer additions we'll be even better placed to challenge for the title next season.
But before that, we have to sort out a few problems, not least of which is our manager's contract. I thought it was a done deal, the Mirror reported we were only waiting for Wenger to guide his side in his 1000th game (against Chelsea), but it turned out nothing is signed yet. The same Mirror reported there's a sticking point in negotiations, namely, players transfers. Arsene wants for things to stay the way they were, that with him having the last word in any deal, but the board seems to take a different stance. They want to exert some control over that particular area, so that they would decide on the comings and goings.
Another theory I've heard, is that Wenger wants to show his worth and guide Arsenal to their first trophy and is reluctant to sign a new deal, unless he achieves exactly that.
Winning the FA Cup will provide Arsene with an ace up his sleeve. This, in it's turn, may lead to the Board of Directors to softening their position, something that will benefit all parties concerned. So let's just win the goddamn cup.
Back tomorrow with a preview of our game against Bayern.
Until then
Starting with the big news today, namely, our semi-final clash in the FA Cup. Before City played Wigan at the Etihad, the seeding took place and Arsenal was paired up with the winner of that pair. To which my first reaction was: "That's it, we'll have to play City". Have I considered the possibility of Wigan beating the moneybags at their own place? No. The only thing that stopped me from saying we'll definitely face City was faint hope we won't, based solely on the fact I didn't want us to. I understood how strong Pellegrini's team was and that they would, in all probability, sweep aside last year's winners. One look at the starting line-up told you all you needed to know about the outcome of this match.
Except it didn't. The first shot on target came from the Latics in the 27th minute, when Jordi Gomez converted the penalty after Demichelis made a mistake in his own area. City, meanwhile, didn't register a shot on target in the entire first half.
Right after the restart, Wigan scored again and City found themselves 2-0 down.
Pellegrini made a triple sub in the 53rd minute, but his side's first shot on target came only in the 60+ minute. It may even have been the goal from our old friend Nasri.
However, City failed to get another (though they went close a couple of times) and, as a result, Arsenal will play Wigan approximately a month from now. What a touch of good fortune, eh?
And I think it's about time we got some. We did our damnedest from the very start, had to play Spurs, Liverpool and Everton and just about deserved an easier draw. Somewhat surprisingly, it comes in the very late stages of the competition, but no one will say we didn't deserve it.
Yes, we still have to win two games. Yes, we'll have to turn up with our usual quality performance and be at our best to win the cup, but there's a whole world of difference between being at our best and this will definitely suffice and being at our best and still having a good chance to lose.
Overall, we are now in a strong position to finally end this trophy drought. While some may point out how we lost to Bradford and Blackburn (and Birmingham, let's not forget) I'd say we're a much better side now than we were even a year ago.
The fact, that Arsene Wenger will be the man at the helm to lift the Cup (in case we win it) is hugely satisfying. He's done a very good job on the team in less, than a year and this should not go unnoticed. We may fall just short of winning the title or the Champions League, but even snatching the FA Cup will be a step forward. More like a leap forward. I'm sure that with a couple of summer additions we'll be even better placed to challenge for the title next season.
But before that, we have to sort out a few problems, not least of which is our manager's contract. I thought it was a done deal, the Mirror reported we were only waiting for Wenger to guide his side in his 1000th game (against Chelsea), but it turned out nothing is signed yet. The same Mirror reported there's a sticking point in negotiations, namely, players transfers. Arsene wants for things to stay the way they were, that with him having the last word in any deal, but the board seems to take a different stance. They want to exert some control over that particular area, so that they would decide on the comings and goings.
Another theory I've heard, is that Wenger wants to show his worth and guide Arsenal to their first trophy and is reluctant to sign a new deal, unless he achieves exactly that.
Winning the FA Cup will provide Arsene with an ace up his sleeve. This, in it's turn, may lead to the Board of Directors to softening their position, something that will benefit all parties concerned. So let's just win the goddamn cup.
Back tomorrow with a preview of our game against Bayern.
Until then