So, we're through to the final of the FA Cup with a win over Wigan, but it was by no way a pleasant ride. With nine minutes to go Arsenal were trailing and could have gone out. We didn't, luckily.
The manager made only four changes to the team, with Fabianski, Ramsey, Oxlade and Sanogo replacing Szczesny, Flamini, Giroud and Rosicky respectively. Gibbs made the bench, while Gnabry and Rosicky were left out due to their injures.
Arsenal started brightly enough, with Oxlade nearly putting us ahead in the first minute following an interchange with Sanogo. The Frenchman himself then tested the keeper, but his headed effort was saved.
Arsenal then fell into a kind of lull, enjoying lots of possession, but failing to create chances. We only had two more before the break, first when Podolski's effort from a free-kick went wide, then when Sanogo shot straight at the keeper from a one-on-one. But basically Wigan's defence worked like clock.
Little changed in the opening stages of the second half. Arsene made no changes and Arsenal continued to look like they were sleepwalking. Just when I thought we started to find a foothold in the game, Wigan scored.
McManaman stormed into the box, Mertesacker hacked him down and the ref pointed to the spot. Gomez stepped up and converted coolly, despite Fabianski going in the right direction.
This had shaken Arsenal out of their coma. They started to pour men forward, however nothing exciting happened until 80th minute. We had a succession of corners, Sagna hit the post from one, then Gibbs saw his effort cleared off the line. In the 82nd minute we equalised.
Vermaelen was first on the ball from yet another corner, his pass found Oxlade on the edge of the box. The Englishman's mis-hit shot fell to Mert and the latter tucked the ball away from 2 yards. That meant extra time was in order.
It came and went, but little happened during these 30 minutes. Oxlade hit the bar and some Wigan bloke (Collison?) planted a header just wide, but it was obvious the players were exhausted and so the game petered out towards the penalties.
And, despite all the misgivings, we came out on top. Fabianski saved the first two spot-kicks, giving us the platform to build on, Arteta and Kallstrom put away theirs and were were 2-0 up. After that, steely nerves from Giroud and Cazorla ensured we won.
The players were over the moon and I find the criticism, they received for celebrating the way they did, petty. It wasn't about the opponent or about the performance (cause both were below par), but rather about being through to the finals. And this I can understand completely.
If there's anything to like about the way we played though, it's that we showed some character. Arsenal fought from being 1-0 down and showed they are the better prepared side mentally after getting the win in the penalty shoot-out. If there's a point, which can turn the tide, it's this.
To be more exact, it's the goal itself. A goal, which demonstrated we're ready for a fight, and the players can draw confidence and even inspiration from their fighting spirit.
Arsene, meanwhile, will stay with us a little longer.
Back tomorrow for a preview.
Until then
The manager made only four changes to the team, with Fabianski, Ramsey, Oxlade and Sanogo replacing Szczesny, Flamini, Giroud and Rosicky respectively. Gibbs made the bench, while Gnabry and Rosicky were left out due to their injures.
Arsenal started brightly enough, with Oxlade nearly putting us ahead in the first minute following an interchange with Sanogo. The Frenchman himself then tested the keeper, but his headed effort was saved.
Arsenal then fell into a kind of lull, enjoying lots of possession, but failing to create chances. We only had two more before the break, first when Podolski's effort from a free-kick went wide, then when Sanogo shot straight at the keeper from a one-on-one. But basically Wigan's defence worked like clock.
Little changed in the opening stages of the second half. Arsene made no changes and Arsenal continued to look like they were sleepwalking. Just when I thought we started to find a foothold in the game, Wigan scored.
McManaman stormed into the box, Mertesacker hacked him down and the ref pointed to the spot. Gomez stepped up and converted coolly, despite Fabianski going in the right direction.
This had shaken Arsenal out of their coma. They started to pour men forward, however nothing exciting happened until 80th minute. We had a succession of corners, Sagna hit the post from one, then Gibbs saw his effort cleared off the line. In the 82nd minute we equalised.
Vermaelen was first on the ball from yet another corner, his pass found Oxlade on the edge of the box. The Englishman's mis-hit shot fell to Mert and the latter tucked the ball away from 2 yards. That meant extra time was in order.
It came and went, but little happened during these 30 minutes. Oxlade hit the bar and some Wigan bloke (Collison?) planted a header just wide, but it was obvious the players were exhausted and so the game petered out towards the penalties.
And, despite all the misgivings, we came out on top. Fabianski saved the first two spot-kicks, giving us the platform to build on, Arteta and Kallstrom put away theirs and were were 2-0 up. After that, steely nerves from Giroud and Cazorla ensured we won.
The players were over the moon and I find the criticism, they received for celebrating the way they did, petty. It wasn't about the opponent or about the performance (cause both were below par), but rather about being through to the finals. And this I can understand completely.
If there's anything to like about the way we played though, it's that we showed some character. Arsenal fought from being 1-0 down and showed they are the better prepared side mentally after getting the win in the penalty shoot-out. If there's a point, which can turn the tide, it's this.
To be more exact, it's the goal itself. A goal, which demonstrated we're ready for a fight, and the players can draw confidence and even inspiration from their fighting spirit.
Arsene, meanwhile, will stay with us a little longer.
Back tomorrow for a preview.
Until then