Arsenal v Middlesbrough (FA Cup) [R] - Pre/Dur/Post Match Discussion

Surprisingly easy 3-1 win.

 

Foxsports2go has a free trial you can sign up for if you're one of us that doesn't get fs2.

 

I hope it's an easy win. I wonder what the lineup will look like?

 

WTF? The powers that be at NewsCorp relegated us to Fox Sports 2??? Sounds more like they wanna put more importance on a mean-nothing college hoops game on FS1 instead of this important match to determine who goes on to the round of 8, I'll bet Gus Johnson had some kinda say so in the matter even though he no longer broadcasts football matches, but then, GuJo was always better at college hoops and college handegg than footy anyways.

 

I know that at one time, I said that I wouldn't buy the "Fly Emirates" Arsenal jerseys because I was "O2 Invincibles Era 'til I die", but after watching matches all season while they wore the new Puma kits, I just HAD TO blow some $$$ on all 3 kits and a training jersey as well (the red/grey one), and I'll tell ya, as much as I thought that Kappa did a terrific job with this year's VfL Wolfsburg (one of my 2 other favorite football clubs, the other being the Seattle Sounders of the MLS) kits, that Puma did a hell of a good job with this year's AFC kits, if this is a sign of what Puma puts out for their first kits with The Gunners, I might wanna go "forever faster", can't wait to see what they'll be wearing next year, but in the meantime, COYF'n'G!!! KILL!!! #DefendTheFACup

My Arsenal fan kit for tomorrow's match in this pic:

Shades: Oakley Half Jacket 2.0 MLB Angels (Red/White)
Scarf and Beanie: Arsenal brand from their official Online Store
Jersey: Puma Arsenal 2014-15 home strip (Red/White)
Watch (not seen in this pic): Just Watch Silicone in Red
Silicone wristbands (also not seen): various sellers on eBay

 

Based off stuff Arsene has said the past few days i've gathered Szcz,Gabriel and Theo will be playing. I'd bet Gibbs will get a chance. So maybe

-----Szcz
Bellerin-Mert-Gabriel-Gibbs
------Flamini?----Coq------
Theo----Rosicky----OX(or Ozil if not)?
-------Welbeck/Akpom----

 

Ox is still out. I guess Chambers will star over Bellerin.
If Jack is fit, he may start in MF.

 

If Arsenal were an 80's heavy metal football club (from the NWOBHM days where great heavy metal bands like Iron Maiden, Motorhead, Judas Priest, and Saxon all came up from), the battle calls would both be "Up The Irons!!!" AND "Scarves up!!!" COYF'n'G!!! KILL!!! #DefendTheFACup Beat Middlesbrough!!!

 

Hello Gunners!!

Excited and this is ours come MAY 2015 GOD WILLING!!! My guess for this one is that all the team will take Boro very seriously which is good. Will kill the game by half time...put it beyond thier reach & bring on all the subs that need to get some game time i.e. Akpom. ....Here is my pic

--------------Szcz
Bellerin--Mert--Gabriel--Gibbs
=====Coq===Rosicky=====
Theo=====Ozi=====Welbeck
========Giroud========

At half time Akpom for Giroud....Flamini for Coq.....Ozil for Chember (better defender)

My crystal ball indicates 4-1 for Arenal!!!!

 

Well, being the plastic Boro fan that I am, this was the draw I did not want. But I'd be very happy if we gave them a sound spanking and send them along their way. Esp since I am stuck in the office on a very cold day and it's just not getting any warmer...

 

Bradford up early on another John O'Shea own goal. Are these guys sailing under a lucky star or what?

 

Dude, the first part I completely agree with you on, bury them in so deep a hole that they can't get out of it (I mean not just 1-0, but 2-0, 3-0, 4-0, etc.) why didn't we do the same shit last Derby day at Shite Hart Lane vs. THEM???

As for the second part, are you insisting that Arsene Wenger "park the bus" again and protect the lead in the second half??? We did that same shit last week against THEM, we (as you'll see what Bully thought of it) and look at what happened, Harry Kane burned us, TWICE, so I don't think The Gunners will be doing that shit anymore.

Here's Bully on the 2 no-no's of football, the art of "parking the bus", that and also Kyle Martino's least favorite, "zonal marking" on set pieces, are the 2 biggest no-no's in football.



BTW, bad news, I read the FA's official site yesterday, this match will also be broadcast LIVE throughout the UK on BT Sport, as was the Tottenham match...... OH NO!!!

 

With any luck I get to watch this one live. Luck being defined as: (a) the crazy weather here today not knocking out power, in which case AFC will be the least of my worries, and (b) my not having to go see the in-laws for lunch. Wish me luck. And the lads too!

COYG!!!!!

 

Very strong line up. Arsene will not be messing around with Boro today!

Szczesny, Chambers, Gabriel, Koscielny, Gibbs, Flamini, Cazorla, Welbeck, Ozil, Alexis, Giroud
Subs : Martinez, Mertesacker, Monreal, Rosicky, Walcott, Coquelin, Akpom

COYG!

 

Interesting lineup. Jettisoning the counter attack, Complete and Utter lack of pace and speed, back to football chess, stringing together 1001 short passes in intricate patterns, with Alexis the only powerful dribbler there to beat the man one one one?

 

For those curious minds, Santi is the skipper today!

 

Dude, you are such a party pooper. Why don't you get a drink or a chill pill? You may need one! This is perhaps the strongest line up we have ever started in the FA Cup for years at this level of the competition.

 

Ospina injured?

 

But it's slow as molasses other than Gibbs and Wellbeck. What happens if Boro bunker properly? We'll just agree to disagree--you put little emphasis or premium on speed and athleticm. I think it's important to offer balance to the "dual #10" setup here with Cazorla and Ozil

Not sure why Theo doesn't start and Danny is up front--that lineup would be much more dangerous with Alexis.

 

You must be kidding. You really think that Alexis and Ozil are slow? I guess you are the only one to believe so. SMH....
Your point about Theo does not even make sense since he is pretty much useless against teams who are "bunkering".

 

I don't think so, Szcz just hasn't started for a while.

 

Good morning all. I like this line up. Boro are playing very well. This strong lineup should be able to take care of business.

With all the changes to the back line Boro will probably score a couple. 3-2 to the Gunners!