Kevin Whitcher
What is it about Arsenal going to Wembley as clear favourites? What seems to follow are off key performances in which, ultimately, the required result is salvaged, but do they ever make hard work of it. The pitch is big, one hopes the surface of decent quality, conditions surely suited to the Gunners’ game. Perhaps it would be better to face Liverpool in the final, as despite struggling to beat Wigan, Hull and now Reading, they would be clear favourites against Tim Sherwood’s team.
Steve Clarke got plenty out of his men, given their league position. Obviously they were going to perform to the limit of their abilities given what was at stake. Effectively, this was their cup final, hence the 30,000 odd free t-shirts draped over their seats which proved very visually effective. It was their day in the sun, but it nearly became another cup upset. Ultimately, they were undone by a couple of moments where quality was lacking. The two – on – one break near the end of normal time was fluffed horrendously when a goal looked almost certain. And Arsenal’s extra time winner will haunt keeper Federici for the rest of his days. Pete Mountford texted me in the aftermath to state “an old, old reference but the ghost of Dan Lewis maybe”, referring to the 1927 FA Cup Final howler that cost Arsenal their first final against Cardiff. Hardly karma, but I can see where he’s coming from.
Arsene Wenger brought in Szczesny, Debuchy, Gibbs and Welbeck for Ospina, Bellerin, Monreal and Giroud. Not the kind of excessive tinkering that some feared if he was not to take the threat of a Championship side credibly. Overall, Arsenal, in terms of attacks, shaded the final, but one would expect that. However, Reading, when they did go forward, often seemed more purposeful and the Gunners’ defensive organizational qualities were often a reminder of not such pleasant recent past times. A side with better attacking players would have made them pay for this, but naturally it would have been a different type of game. If Chelsea decide to play for a draw next weekend, they could make Arsenal suffer on the counter attack, although in real terms, the only thing at stake in that fixture is pride and the home team’s desire to finish above fourth place to avoid a Champions League play-off match in August.
Reading were very disciplined and worked with real determination to win this cup tie. They were also often cynical, a legacy, one assumes of Steve Clarke’s time under Mourinho. It wasn’t pretty, but it was effective. Arsenal rarely used width, and when they did, the balls into the middle rarely created danger. There were too many misplaced passes, and I am struggling to recall a player who had a really decent match. Ozil will be lambasted in some quarters for his contribution, although in the way Bergkamp did, when he got involved it proved decisive, his chip to Alexis for the opener just before the interval a thing of beauty. For many fans, his body language indicates a man who does not care, and although he does cover a lot of ground, at times (defensively), this is at a pace that is designed to have minimal effect. However, he does bring balance to the team and is the one man able to carve up defences such as Reading’s with one ball. If he is played as the link man between midfield and forward, then there is room for him in the team, and we have to try and forget about the price tag, and not take offence at the impression his gait conveys.
Danny Welbeck did not have a great afternoon, and it was obvious that the team improved when Giroud entered the fray. Alexis tried valiantly, and often ran into trouble, but in fairness, he scored both goals, which probably made him the team’s standout man, unless one is going to give it to Giroud for his 50 minutes. His hold up play was a breath of fresh air. Theo was given 20 minutes at the end, but made little impact. Defensively, Coquelin had a mixed performance. One trusts he will be back to his best next weekend.
Reading’s equalizer was a defensive horrowshow on several levels and will need a long hard look at during the week. Mathieu Debuchy made his return to first team action, and it was hardly surprising he looked a little short at times.
It became a more open affair as the clock ticked down, and both sides had chances to spare us extra time. When the 90 minutes were up, Gooners would have felt more confident that tiring legs would favour their side. Alexis’ shot for the winner was speculative to say the least, but if you don’t buy a ticket, you won’t win the lottery. He got fortunate with the keeper’s mistake, avoiding the wrath of colleagues who were queuing up for a pass in the area.
Ultimately, the cup is simply about getting through, so credit to Arsenal for making the final for the second year running. That they made such hard work of it will become an irrelevance in time. I think everyone would agree they will have to perform better on May 30th if they are going to retain the trophy. As for Reading, if they can play with this type of discipline and effort next season, they should be returning to the top flight in 2016. Fair play to them, although the decisive moments will be a question of ‘what if?’ for a while to come. Cruel to wait 88 years and then lose like that, but football can be cruel at times.
I am now on Twitter@KevinWhitcher01.
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