Kevin Whitcher
I’ll start with the words of sometime contributor Ian Henry… “The best riposte to any scouser moaning about the penalty which wasn't given is... Stephane Henchoz” Who said revenge is a dish best eaten cold? There has to be a suspicion that the gymnastic style of Luis Suarez’ progress to the prone position after the penalty box foul that wasn’t given didn’t do the Uruguayan too many favours. Still, football is entertainment and life is rarely dull when Luis is around.
So that’s the main talking point of the game dealt with. Liverpool should have had a second penalty, but it wasn’t given. Fortune favoured Arsenal, but that is so often the way of cup competitions. Certainly, on the balance of chances created, the visitors should have won this game. However, aside from a characteristic late flap that allowed an Agger header to go close, Lukasz Fabianski had an excellent game and was undoubtedly the Gunners’ best player on the day.
It was the predicted weakened selection in advance of the Bayern Munich game, but no-one will complain when the players do the job. In fact, looking around the team, there is an argument that it was not so weak. As stated, the keeper played as well as Szczesny might have been expected to, and there is a debate whether Gibbs or Monreal is a better left back. Carl Jenkinson is undoubtedly a weaker player than Sagna, and was troubled more than once by Raheem Sterling. But aside from the right back, for this observer, the only other position the team was obviously weaker in was centre-forward. Yaya Sanogo will need more appearances to convince people he is going to replicate the effect of Nicolas Anelka over 15 years ago, and the conclusion from yesterday is that if they are needed before the season’s out, we can pretty much forget the league title. At times, he proved awkward to handle due to his sheer physicality, and it was his blocked shot that led to the opening goal, but overall, he does not look anywhere near ready for the task that would be handed to him in the event of an injury to Olivier Giroud. That’s not his fault. There should be other options apart from Nicklas Bendtner, but my view that the FA Cup does not matter too much to the manager is probably the reason Sanogo started instead of Bendtner, who was not even on the bench.
Before the match started, the carrot of a quarter final home draw against Everton might have proved extra motivation for Liverpool, and they certainly started the better going very close to scoring on two occasions before the home side were even in the game. However, goals are what matters and the finishing of Oxlade-Chamberlain and Podolski was simply better than that of the visitors, the Ox having a very good match, which included the assist for the number 9’s goal.
This was the last cup match automatically included on season tickets, and it will be interesting to see whether the club manage to fill the stadium for the quarter final now that gold members have the chance to opt out of the game against Everton, which is presumably going to be a Grade B fixture, as this one was. It will presumably be on ITV and many will elect to reduce their renewal price in the summer and stay at home.
A win was important psychologically as much as anything after a pair of disappointing performances. Arsenal certainly played better in this match, making an allowance for the centre forward making his debut, even if the win was slightly fortuitous. Liverpool can now focus totally on their league campaign, and cannot be discounted from threatening the trio above them, as Suarez does not have too many days like yesterday.
Manchester City have the opposite problem, still involved on four fronts. It must be hoped they can beat Barcelona to add to their fixture pile up, which would at least give Arsenal a hand in their league campaign. Progress for the Gunners in Europe does seem a long shot against Bayern, especially over two legs, and I think most fans are philosophical about a Champions League exit if it will seriously boost the chances of landing a domestic trophy. The club desperately needs one after such a long time falling short. Before the game, people were talking about the traditional ‘season over in 10 days’ phenomenon as one cup exit follows another. Whether that will merely be delayed until the first half of March or we are seeing a different animal this year, time will tell. However, the side have a great chance in the FA Cup this season, so let us hope for a couple of trips to Wembley before the season is out. In 1950, Arsenal won the FA Cup without playing outside of London. Could history repeat itself?
Before I wrap up, two things – firstly, the winners of the competitions we were running last week on the website and on Twitter were Guy Shankland, who won the Charlie George spray paint, and Chris Millard and Jackson Eatherden who each won a bobble hat. The prizes will be on their way to the winners shortly. Thanks to Michael at VCC Designs for providing the prizes. Check out their website at www.vccdesigns.co.uk for a great range of unofficial accessories and artwork.
Secondly, another reminder about the planned card display, organized by REDaction, for the Bayern Munich home tie on Wednesday. To bang the message home, my apologies in advance but there will be a separate exclusive about this tomorrow. The idea is to bombard people with the message so that word spreads and everyone makes a huge effort to get in the stadium by 7.30. That way, even the latecomers will make it in and at 7.35, a full ground will mean the planned display will not end up like a damp squib with half full stands as everyone arrives at the last minute. So please make plans to get in the ground by 7.30 on Wednesday and tell everyone you know who is going to do the same.
The new issue of The Gooner can be at the forthcoming home matches against Bayern Munich, Sunderland and Everton. It can also be bought online here.
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