FA Cup 5th Round (Replay) Arsenal v Leyton Orient: Match Preview
Over a week ago I billed this tie as an anti-climatic conclusion to a week that saw the Arsenal beat Barcelona. I kind of figured this match had all the classic tellings of an Arsenal let down as ever. Now, coming only 72 hours after our biggest letdown of the season (so far) – it all again seems a little anti-climatic to me.
We spent the time from Arsenal beating Stoke to the run up into the cup final talking about our proposects only to have our hearts ripped out by an error that maybe comes around once in a blue moon. Replay that match ten times and its likely you never see that blunder again. Och well.
The Gunners come home to the Emirates stadium on Wednesday to a reception that is largely unknown. For the most part, I see a mixed bag in terms of how the team will be received. I still think a large population of the supporters going to the matches will cheer the squad. Why not? It’s what you do as a supporter – hence the term “support” that makes up the bulk of the word. They will largely be received well, and likely cheered on in an effort to act as a tonic for Sunday.
As for the team that takes the pitch, I suspect to see our “B” team take the pitch again with a couple notable exceptions. Whoever winds up leading the attack, whether its Nicklas Bendtner or Chamakh, will not wind up leading the attack in the EPL and CL ties that are coming up. Whichever striker sits this one out, you should reckon that they will be the ones leading the line later.
The person I’d like to see on the pitch but is ineligble because he did not play in the first match is Aaron Ramsey. Ramsey played his last match for Cardiff and Saturday and is back with the club. His form has been good with the Championship side and according to all reports has been stellar with the team. This would be the perfect opportunity to bring him back. If he is even half as good as he was before the injury he is half better than some of our available B team options.
I must admit, I do not want to see Tomas Rosicky on the pitch. I am utterly disappointed in TR7s performances in every match he has played in. He seems to have his speed back, but his passing and shooting ability have not returned. Outside of our general injury woes, we also seem to get a couple of players who that once they are injured can’t seem to find their form. First Eduardo (though I can absolutely understand the mental aspect of what he was going through) and then Rosicky. With Rosicky its even more frustrating. He was a great maestro in the midfield before a string of injures kept him out for long perdiods of time. Whatever he did, it has effected his game in such a way that right now the best thing for him is to go. I hate to say that as I truly like Tommy but he is a detriment right now to this team when he is on the pitch. And frankly, I don’t think he snaps out of it.
The one person I do want to see on the pitch for this match is Jack Wilshere. All season long we’ve talked about the poise of this lad. Well, I do believe that when all is said and done he will be compared to Ryan Giggs in terms of what he means to the team. 20 years on Giggs is still a bedrock for United, Wilshere is just starting his journey but posesses qualities akin to Giggs (except I think Jack is better all around). The best quality of Wilshere’s (again akin to Giggs) is desire to win. If we had a team of Jack Wilshere’s this team would no doubt make us all proud. Let Jack be the catlyst for this match. If Ramsey is in the squad, the team might form the magic pairing in the midfield that will give us some glimpse of things to come. After – the young shall lead the way.
Aside from the team make up, it is really time to find out what this squad is made of. More than a few people are speculating that the loss on Sunday combined with the mounting injuries (again) will signal the start of our annual fade. It could very well be. But true intent will be known by how well Arsenal handles this adversity. Have they really matured. Have the outstanding performances of this season been an aberration. Who knows?
It falls to the “B” team to set the tone. Frankly, having a team like Leyont Orient on the docket to play isn’t such a bad thing. This is the team that if the “B” actually decides to play, will be canon fodder (all puns intended). The Gunners need to take the wounded animal mentality into this and every remaining match they have this season and use it to their advantage.
But the “B” team doesn’t inspire much in the way of confidence. Not when the likes of Almunia and Denilson wind up being on the pitch. However, we have to do it with them – at least for this match. The winner takes on United at Old Trafford. If Arsenal go through it will surely be a match of who’s crappy reserves are better (if you didn’t see the United v Crawley Town match up you don’t know what I am talking about). If Arsenal go out then it is the two hardest trophies left to go after.
As a blogger its often difficult to write this stuff. Especially after a weekend like this one. We have to get up and write our views and tell it like we see it. Most bloggers aren’t either too far to one side most tend to cut it down the middle with fair amounts of criticism and praise. But I know a few of us who are having a hard time doing an entry for this match with the pain of Sunday still playing out in our minds. Let’s just hope the team does better at moving on than the bloggers who cover them.
How the Match Plays Out:
Oh I don’t know. But we are at home and frankly I like the odds of being at home. I do think the squad is more mettle this season than in past ones. Look for them to take out their frustration on the lower league side. It could even get ugly – especially if as I predict the Gunners score early.
Arsenal’s Projected Starting XI:
Almunia, Eboue, Gibbs, Djourou, Miquel, Rosicky, Wilshere, Diaby, Nasri, Bendtner, Arshavin.
YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 4
Leyton Orient: 1
