Apr 15
A string of solid performances leaves the Arsenal ready for the FA Cup semifinal tomorrow. The game has been pretty low key around here, but this is a huge game. An Arsenal victory means an appearance in the final of a major tournament.
Henry is out so JA Reyes gets his shot. Not to put too fine a point on it, but this guy hasn?t exactly been earning his paycheck for the last, oh, five months. A lot of pressure here, but he needs to step up in a big way tomorrow.
Blackburn aren?t exactly setting the EPL on fire, but I don?t think this is going to be a walk in the park either. Bottom line, this is a match that must be won.
7 Responses to “Arsenal v. Blackburn”
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April 15th, 2005 at 6:28 pm
Yer darn tootin’ it must be won. We lose this one, it could harm our chances to continue our pip of the 2nd spot. Freddie and Senderos are getting it done in crucial, lock-horns ties. If either of them were not in the lineup tomorrow, I hate to say it, but I’m significantly concerned. Some weird goliath-killing happening lately around Europe. But the fact that they are going to be there (along with our sorely missed Gilberto) gives me, and let’s hope those in red and white, a healthy degree of confidence.
I take NOTHING for granted with our side. Late 2004 has scarred me. But I do believe we’ve found that gear that pushes until one finds the net and refuses to concede. There isn’t the shrugging, lackluster “well we can’t unlock the D in 15 so let’s pack it up” mentality anymore. Credit: the young’ns, and the great, great, great Mr. Ljungberg.
My worry is that, win or not (and I predict that our new attitude will allow our cream to find the top for the remainder of the season) we’ll pick up enough knocks and bruises to compromise our stuffing of the Phony Russian Blues on Wednesday. These next few weeks are going to be about heart, which makes loyalty and togetherness paramount. We need to take a page out of the Tony Adam’s book of grit (not to be confused with his book about addiction) a few more times and we’ll be much better for having done so.
And I totally agree that Reyes has to, like, get a cajones transplant. Right now I don’t even think the ball is worried. He is oh-so-effin’ due.
2-1, AFC…showing the world who is still the best club building a brand new stadium in the world!
April 15th, 2005 at 6:44 pm
It was bad to read this morning about Henry’s absence. But the team knows what they are up against, and I don’t think it will be smooth sailing at all. This is the last chance for the players to win a medal this year — I do expect some part of their ego’s kick in and pushes them in every minute of the game.
And I do hope Reyes produces something like he did in last year’s F.A Cup game against Chelsea.
Fans in London will be leaving quite early to get to Cardiff (I don’t know how long their commute would take?). And fans on this side of the ocean will be waking up early as well — up here, the game’s at 5:15 am local time.
Come on Gunners
April 15th, 2005 at 7:25 pm
Blackburn’s defense has been pretty solid of late, so I think that our missing the finest striker in the world is a big loss.
It should be a tight game, as nobody will want to make the “big error”. Barring a fluke early goal or an big error gifting Blackburn a goal, I think we will win and overcome the loss of Henry.
We will need the SOLID midfield of Freddie, Vieira, Gilberto, & Pires to take this and control it.
Who’s up front? Reyes and Bergy? I’d love to see Ali and Quincy, but that’s not likely.
Regardless, I like it 2-0 to the Arsenal.
Pires and Vieira with the goals.
April 15th, 2005 at 9:49 pm
At least I would like to see Quincy on the bench, just in case we need someone to take the responsability to beat a well orgainsed side by taking 2 or 3 players with pace and skills.
I hope Reyes, Pires, Freddy, Denis and Paddy will be too much for them.
We should not missed Henry against Balckburn, but it’s a football game, anything can happen.
April 16th, 2005 at 8:19 am
So far your spot on! 1-nil to the Arsenal at half, goal by Pires! Come on you Gunners!
April 16th, 2005 at 8:23 am
I’m making my prediction at half-time but I’d've also said Arsenal 2-0, 2-1 before the match & hoping for a Newcastle upset of Man U just to see Sir Fergie b*tch & moan some more…
April 16th, 2005 at 12:12 pm
Ali and Quincy, that’s an interesting choice. After the event, I think van P and Quincy might work very well?