FA Cup 4th Round

1. Wow. Best Arsenal game I've seen in quite awhile. Great fight back by the lads. And they actually created chances, for all the passing and possession.
2. Don't talk to me about the defensive mistakes on the goals. I just want to savor this one.
3. Fabianski still makes me nervous. If it weren't for David De Gea, he'd be the most nervous looking keeper in the Premier League.
4. Coquelin continues to impress. He's a tough competitor, good with the ball at his feet. Let's see more of him.
5. Rosicky looked lively. Turned back the clock to his pre-crockpot days.
6. Walcott. Meh. Full credit, though. Arshavin would've turned that shot high and wide.
7. Sagna's back! It was great to see Bacary get back on the field. Even better still, to see an injured fullback return.
8. Ox. Rocks. Arsene hasn't lost his eye for spotting rare talent (whether he's nearly ruthless enough to clear out the deadwood and busts is another matter). The key to subbing him out, it seems is to do at very late, with a lead, and with Thierry Henry.
9. Come on, Alex McL. Just because you're an ugly old mug, doesn't mean RVP committed a crime.

Time-Traveling pre-Aston Villa Full 9

1. Wojciech Szczeszny demands slavish, unquestioning loyalty to Wenger
2. Almost immediately, Alan Smith - who we all know loves to torment keepers - fails the young pole
3. Meanwhile, 'Arry Redknapp shows Arsene Wenger how the financial mastermind bit is done properly (or, improperly)
4. Nigeria tour? Possibly. Could a swoop for Kanu as Henry's replacement be far behind?
5. I have not yet watched today's FA Cup game. When I do, there will be another Full 9, hopefully, a positive, cheery, celebratory list.
6. BTW, if you say "FA Cup" by phonetically pronouncing "FA" as pha, it sounds like a description of Arsenal's defensive performances of the past several years.
7. Was aghast at the amount of space Djourou afforded Ryan Giggs last week, allowing the cross for the winning goal. After reading up on Ryan Giggs' extracurriculars, I'm realizing Johan was probably keeping a prudent distance from the slimy Giggs, given the Gunner defender was not wearing a hazmat suit.  
8. Dempsey, Ream, etc. sign that MLS talent is growing
9. Sadly, America lacks a ridiculous transfer rumour mill to compete with EPL

Where Have We Seen This Movie Before?

1. This match was all about Arsene Wenger's fading coaching abilties. Removing Ox after he'd been the best player on the field for 75 minutes and laying on a brilliant pass for VP's goal was a decision only the willfully ignorant could support. That the player he brought on was the footballistically-challenged Arshavin, only made what came next inevitable. ManU took the ball right at Arshavin - a player whose defensive play could best be characterized as more theoretical than actual - and bagged the game winner as easily.. well, as easy as Man U wins against Arsenal in the last 5 or 6 seasons.
   
   Sir Alex Ferguson owns Wenger. If the EPL was a prison yard, SAF would be a big guy named Killer and Arsene would be "New Guy". One could criticize particular players for their lack of quality and commitment, but more so, it was the fault of Arsene's transfer policy that has resulted in a team with more deadwood than a lumber yard. This club is going nowhere with Arsene Wenger. The past is the past.
   
2. Man of the Match: Piers Morgan for ripping Arsene Wenger a new, well, arsehole at halftime.
    
3. Man of the Match (on the pitch): Ox. Easily the best player on the field. His pace, energy, strength and sense of purpose shone brightly. The pass he laid on to van Persie could best be described as sublime. In fact, he is rather the polar opposite of the lil' Russian. Yin to Andrei's lazy yang. Morgan kept referring to him as Walcott with brains. I'd add stregnth, as well. Where Walcott gets pushed off the ball like an old lady with a walker, Ox holds possession. Ok, his game wasn't perfect, but it was immense. We need more of this guy.
   
4. Midfield. As in, did we have one today? Man U overran Ramsey, Rosicky and Song all game long. This is Arsenal?
   
   
5. Djourou would be a fine Championship defender. No, he's not a fullback. I understand he's playing out of position, but he makes basic mistakes to layer on top of his leaden pace. (Either that, someone forgot to tell him that Ryan Giggs might not be the guy to allow to pick his pass into the box)
   
   I'm not sure if Yennaris was some kid Arsene saw outside the Emirates before the game, but he was miles better than Djourou, especially against the pace of United's wingers and Rafael.
   
6. As much as I think Walcott is a few yards short of a full pitch, full credit to him for bravely flying in to the box near the end of the game, and getting a whomping introduction to the forces of gravity (Head, meet ground). Brave stuff.
   
7. Van Persie. The striker had dick all to do all game, but his finish on the equalizer was delightful. That's why he's one of the world's best. Sure, he missed a sitter earlier. That happens. He's pure quality, though, and always a threat to score.
   
8. Just Kos. I'm not his biggest fan by a far mark, but Kos had a pretty good game. If he could just rid his play of the stupid decisions, he'd be a suitable center back. If we have fit fullbacks, I can live with Vermaelen/Koscielny pairing.
   
9. Rubber sharks. That's how dangerous the Gunners looked for much of the first 65 minutes. Seriously, part of the problem with Arsene's tactics is that we have no sharp point at the end of the spear. For much of that match, we were as exciting to watch as a turd floating in a swimming pool. Yawn.