A scrappy Arsenal side, beset by injuries, was found wanting for the second time in today’s FA Cup Semi-Final at Wembley Stadium, when a rash and inexperienced Lukasz Fabianski, all but handed Didier Drogba, the tenacious Chel$ki striker, the winning goal in the 84th minute. Clearly, someone should have reminded the goalkeeper, that on one’s birthday, you get the gifts not give them.
Neither side was at their best, but this was an Arsenal squad without the services of defenders Clichy, Sagna, Djourou, and Gallas, as well as their #1 goalkeeper, Manuel Almunia. Playing on a pitch worthy of a big truck rally, Le Boss left Song and Arshavin on the bench, with the latter coming on as a late game subsitute, while the Cameroon defender whose play in the midfield has been much improved lately, never entered the game. Theo once again showed us the pace and guile that should give Arsenal supporters much hope for the future.
Some will second guess Arsene Wenger’s tactics, particularly the lack of movement during the transfer season, but the Gunners are still in the race for the Champions League, so as bitter as today’s loss is, now is not the time to weaken in our support for our beloved Arsenal.
