I don’t believe it is necessary to discuss the finer points of Sheffield United. I gave all I knew in the first match; not expecting a replay. So, instead of reprinting what has already been said ,I hope everyone will jump in and give an opinion on what needs to be done. The FA Cup appears to be our season and this match becomes so very important.
Manchester United had a scare at Old Trafford when they were visited by Exeter. In the replay they took care of business winning 2-0, not pretty but still winning. At the weekend they were nearing the end of time with a 1-1 scoreline with Pompey. They managed to get one as time was nearing the end and though it was not pretty……they won. This is the biggest difference between them and us. At times it may not be pretty but they win. Results, results, results! How many times have the Gunners taken a one goal lead to the end, only to lose that lead. So many times I’ve lost count. Its about guts, and testicular fortitude and the Gunners have prove to have none.Heresey you may say! Arsenal would not be in this situation if they showed the kind of grit that was shown last season.
It’s about going out and scoring more goals; as simple as that sounds it’s been the achilles heel.
The Gunners still win 2-0!
19 Responses to “FA Cup Discussion- Sheffield United”
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February 28th, 2005 at 4:10 pm
I truly hope you’re right. But with no first or second team strikers I find myself sitting by the phone with my boots just in case The Leader calls.
I truly hope you’re right ‘cos I’m running out of pubs I can watch the game as I keep arguing with the latest Chav$ki fan to jump on the bandwagon.
Soon won’t be a pub left in Watford.
February 28th, 2005 at 4:14 pm
I think it will be a 0-0 tie and we go thru on penalty kicks. Without Henry, we are now reliant on our young strikers. Much as I like to see Lupoli and Quincy start, I do not think they will flourish against the phyiscal approach Sheffield Utd will bring to the game. To stand a chance, we do need a very strong no nonsense ref to stamp out the rough stuff early on.
February 28th, 2005 at 4:27 pm
ALOT of questions on who will be playing and where.
We are thin all over the pitch.
Who will play midfield?
Kolo Vieira Cesc Clichy???
Freddie might be starting up front. I believe he players there for Sweden sometimes.
Freddie Lupoli?
Should be an interesting line-up regardless.
Time for the kids to shine again.
and I’d love to see Taylor between the sticks.
February 28th, 2005 at 4:33 pm
I just want to see 11 Arsenal players on the field all of whom play like they actually want to be there. Our players are more talented than theirs are, if the boys give everything they’ve got we will win.
February 28th, 2005 at 4:45 pm
Despite the horrific injury list I feel we should still be able to pull through. I’m worried about Wenger putting Ljungberg up front though, this will only unbalance the tea, even further.
There is only one team he can play
Almunia
Lauren Toure Senderos Cole
Ljungberg Vieira Fabregas Quincy
Aliadiere Lupoli
There shoule be enough talent there to win, IF they perform to 80% of their capabilities.
February 28th, 2005 at 5:06 pm
I wouldn’t mind seeing that team out there at all.
I completely agree that we should win regardless of our injuries and suspensions.
The kids can play. They have the talent.
February 28th, 2005 at 5:10 pm
i think we will win 2-1 and it should be fairly comfortable. sheff utd are crap.
February 28th, 2005 at 5:13 pm
So are Soton…
and we led 1-0 at half… up a man.
We managed to screw that up too!
February 28th, 2005 at 5:47 pm
Danny,
Aliadiere’s not match yet. If we play it won’t be for more than 20 mn.
I am also woried about Freddy in midfield. Sweden is not Arsenal. Besides we need Freddy on the right midfield.
The line up is likely to be :
Aluminia;
Kolo, Senderos, Cygan, Cole;
Viera, Flamini or Fabregas, Freddy, Clichy;
Quincy, Lupoli.
It’s vital to have a good undestanding and cordination between the strikers.
Lupoli is more clinical than Freddy. If Fab plays so can Arturo. Same age
We need Quincy on the pitch in Bergkhamp’s role.
I am not the manager. I don’t see these guys in training every day. I will agree with any line up out there tomorow. And I will support the team no matter the outcome.
Arsene has my full and unconditional support forever.
I might be sometimes desappointed with some perfs.
But this team plays the football I love . Only Arsene can produce it. The days he will retire will be a sad day for the game.
I’ve to go for some bavarians beer and wait for my german friends. Win or die.
Arsene’s the best manager in the world.
February 28th, 2005 at 5:57 pm
c’mon man, im trying to be positive.ive tried the cynical, negative approach to cushion defeat but im still devastated when we screw up. change of tac, change of fortune?
in my hearts of hearts i know tomorrow will be tricky but just play with me here!
February 28th, 2005 at 6:28 pm
think its time for a look at a 5 man mid field . sheff u will rely on high balls so we need two defensive players in front of the back four to give cover . Taylor Toure Senderos Cygan Clichy Lauren Vieira Flamini Ljungberg Fabregas Lupoli .Our players have more individual skill but need to be tight at the back and go for a 1 or 2 nil
February 28th, 2005 at 8:10 pm
If we want it bad enough, we’ll get the result. End of story. The youth beat 2 PL sides in the league cup. We have enough quality on the pitch.
February 28th, 2005 at 8:10 pm
Here’s a thought. Why not play Ashley Cole as a strike partner to whoever else plays. I know it sounds dumb, but heard that Cole initially started training as a striker. On the basis of his strong runs he made against Saints and in some other games including his goal against Villa, I think I may like Cole to start as a striker. Agreed that his strength his when he makes those deep quick runs from left back and crosses/lays off the ball. However he can be tried. If it is not working, move him to left back or make him play as a left winger in midfield. I feel that we got to try something new here as options are limited.
And btw, against Saints, the only player who was challenging headers against Crouch was ironically one of the shortest players in our team. And that is Ashley Cole. And looking at his do or die spirit, Wenger should pay him that extra bit of cash he is asking for, cos’ in my opinion he is worth every penny due to his attitude, skill and fighting spirit. The kid’s got passion. He for me is the future Arsenal captain. We should never let him go at any cost. This is just my opinion.
February 28th, 2005 at 8:36 pm
Mazza, I am known as being the KING of Arsenal opimism here. I think we could blow this team off the pitch with an early goal… and a little bit of confidence. Despite all the injuries & suspensions… the team that walks onto the pitch for Arsenal could win by 4 goals. We have that much talent. However… the way things have gone, we could get someone sent off for something stupid OR let in an early goal and have Sheff. put everyone behind the ball.
I like us 3-0.
The kids shine. Freddie & Vieira Lead the Way.
February 28th, 2005 at 8:41 pm
Kolo Toure could play either striker or midfield. Just don’t think Wenger will take too many chances with playing people out of position.
If we simply play hard… play well… and with fight and passion and determination, we should walk thru this match. We don’t need anything drastic.
February 28th, 2005 at 9:07 pm
Alumnia
Eboue Toure Cygan Cole
Cesc Vieira Flamini Clichy
Freddy Lupoli
= 3-1 Arsenal Win
February 28th, 2005 at 9:54 pm
I’m not sure who you can really put in the side, with all the injuries, but I feel that we can win easily if all the youngsters play to their potential. If I were choosing the side for this tie….
Almunia
Lauren, Senderos, Cygan, Toure
Cole, Viera, Cesc, Flamini
Freddy, Quincy
I don’t think that Alidiere will be match-ready, and I think that Lupoli would be better suited as a sub for this match.
March 1st, 2005 at 9:29 am
Arsenal 3-1
Taylor
Lauren Senderos Cygan Cole
Freddie Flamini Vieira Clichy
Fabregas
Aliadiere
March 1st, 2005 at 9:59 am
No Toure? How can you put Cygan ahead of Toure? I don’t see any point in playing Cygan again. Senderos & Toure will be here next season, Cygan won’t so it’s completely pointless playing him. That’s why I also believe Taylor should be recalled.