Hmmm, I guess this one should "formally" get its own thread. Preview in the Telegraph in which the respected Henry Winter implies that Keown and Luzhny will start in the back, and that Seaman wants to come back to play for another season but Arsenal only wants him to coach: http://www.sport.telegraph.co.uk/sp...n17.xml&sSheet=/sport/2003/05/17/ixfooty.html Lots of other stories in the sports section as well, just click the link that says "Football."
Who you rootin' for? You're friends with Pete and Daric, so Arsenal, right? Unless you're also friends with the crickets and cobwebs that inhabit the Soton board here.
For your reading pleasure Glenn Hoddle thinks Southampton might show nerves (the Sun): http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2002390000-2003222282,00.html A typically overwrought piece by Russell Kempson of the Times, in which he posits that Arsenal *must* win to salvage their season (or something like that). Minus 10 points for abusing the David and Goliath analogy not once, but twice: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,27-682679,00.html Super Rob says Arsenal can't take the Saints for granted: http://football.guardian.co.uk/breakingnews/story/0,1273,-2683878,00.html Freddie Ljungberg's mad, says the Times (which, have you noticed, doesn't use quotation marks when quoting someone - weird): http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,27-682904,00.html Same theme from the Independent: http://sport.independent.co.uk/football/arsenal/story.jsp?story=406911 The Guardian says the challenge to topple ManUre next season starts here: http://football.guardian.co.uk/FA_Cup/Story/0,5764,957796,00.html Chris Marsden v. Robert Pires is a big matchup says the Guardian: http://sport.telegraph.co.uk/sport/...y17.xml&sSheet=/sport/2003/05/17/ixsport.html Some predictions, courtesy of Sky Sports: http://msn.skysports.com/skysports/article/0,,1860-1090962,00.html From the Telegraph - a scouting report on the likely starters from former Gunner Alan Smith: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/ma...i17.xml&sSheet=/sport/2003/05/17/ixfooty.html From the Guardian - "Big" Ron Atkinson's scouting report (for what it's worth, which isn't much since he rates Parlour an 8 out of 10 and scores the teams even in terms of talent): http://football.guardian.co.uk/FA_Cup/Story/0,5764,957798,00.html
Im a bit nervous on this one mates. SOTON at times can be very dangerous and I think this is one of those times. The Gunners are wounded physically and mentally. The past is the past, its time to remember everyone is watching this one match. Plus, I hate to pay $25 to see them lose like in 2001.
I agree, Ken, I'm nervous, too. Southampton won't come out attacking, that's for sure, as evidenced by the fact that winger supreme Fabrice Fernandes is starting on the bench. That means it'll likely be a close game, and in games like that the goalkeeper can be the difference maker, and I'd probably put money on Niemi versus Seaman.
Indeed...you can hear how loud the stadium is...it's drowning out the radio announcers...sounds like a great atmosphere...
Chris Baird is the player starting in place of Fernandes, only his second senior start. Bergkamp in, Big Game Sylvain out. Time for Dennis to actually contribute this season.
Pires! So far so good although I think Arsenal had some quality chances which they didn't put away. Henry's looking good though and so is Bergkamp. Surprised Parlour didn't get a card though on that late challenge. Anyway, we got the lead, hope we can keep it. Is anyone else not getting the clock graphic? I keep wondering how much time has passed and I got no clue. Ahh well.
At the half Arsenal 1, Soton 0. Pires with the goal. At the very least we should have been awarded a penalty for Lundekvam's blatant shirt pull on Henry inside the opening minute. At the most, Lundekvam would have received a red card. Henry was clearly onside when he would have been in alone on goal, yet another example of the linesmen not being able to keep up with his speed or Arsenal's counterattacking game. That being said, we weren't great in the first half. Too many balls over the top, not enough buildup through the middle. I'll accept Parlour being in there as long as he makes his presence known, but he was barely noticeable in the half. Bergy's had a couple of decent balls, and it was his run into the box that triggered the goal-scoring sequence. Concerned about Keown's yellow - it was really a poor decision by him, as Ormerod was harmlessly on the touchline. Obviously happy with the score, but there's a lot of room for improvement.
1-0 Arsenal at the half with a Bob Pires goal. Dennis is looking dangerours with his great passing. Parlour is playing hard as usual, but his touch is starting to fail him and he's getting wreckless. I see Wiltord coming in 70-75 minutes for Parlour.
otterulz - no clock graphic for me, either. Glad we got the Sky feed, but I hate the way that Setanta has wiped nearly all the graphics from the telecast. Ridiculous. Slippery One - I'm looking for more out of our central midfield. I will say it's telling that Gilberto's only picked up one yellow this season, that in the Community Shield, his very first game with Arsenal. I know he's exhausted from the season, but it's time to put it all on the line, get stuck in, and start winning some 50-50 balls.
Final One nil to the Arsenal. This one won't go into a time capsule, but it's a great win nonetheless. The first defense of the FA Cup in 21 years, 3 trophies in two seasons, and a springboard for next season. We had the much better chances, and more of them, but the game was always edgy. Southampton looked dangerous in the air and on set pieces. Seaman made an excellent save on Ormerod late in the game, then Ashley Cole cleared a shot off the line from a late corner. Well done to Keown and Luzhny - both got stronger as the match went on. Thierry Henry was named Man of the Match. No goals again, but he had some very good chances and was the biggest offensive threat on the pitch. Arsenal players and staff celebrated the win like crazy, so you know they were feeling pressure to win a trophy this season.
Unbelievable!! A much needed win!! I just wish we would put away more of the chances that our fantastic field play gives us. At least now I can restart my heart. Well done Gunners!!!
R-E-L-I-E-F Can we all breath a collective sigh of relief now? Well that sure wasn't pretty but it was good enough. I was disapointed with Soton's approach from the start, obviously they didn't want to get involved in aa shoot out but they could have at least tried not to be soooooooo negative. Before the match Strachan made a lot of noise about the Cup being more important to Southampton and all that jazz, yeah so important that he clearly instructed his players not to play to win but to play not to lose! It's tough to look good (i.e. win in style) when the opposition is constantly harrying you and aren't really trying to do anything but disrupt your rhythm. That being said Arsenal should still have had an easier time of it. I wasn't pleased with the passing, the defense looked a bit suspect (though we expected this) and Seaman looked very shaky on some of his clearances.
Re: R-E-L-I-E-F I agree, they looked like they wanted to gamble on penalties. Andy and Martin pointed it out several times that it looked like Strachan wanted to keep the game 0-0 vs going for the win. Sad to see a team play that way but a sub-par Arsenal can beat a perfect Soton.
Whoo! It was a great win although not the prettiest like you guys have said. There were times when I thought we'd give the lead away. Seaman's clearances nearly gave me a heart attack but when Sol and Sylvain jumped on his back, it made me forget about all of that. It was great to see the whole team smiling and celebrating since its been a while they've been able to do that. Super Bob's goal held up and now it's back to back FA Cups! Its been an up and down season but I think we can put our late season collapse behind us and think positive toward next season. Great win!
Just got back from Nevada Smith's! That was just what we needed, Heads down, rolled up the sleeves and slogged it out. Good on yer Oleg! Out of position, but kept Beatty out of the game, nice one! Keown's and Seaman's swan song? Roll on August. Let's stuff it to ManUre in the Shield and then keep doing it till May 2004! Come on you Gunners!!!
Southampton made not have played pretty, but they played hard. Today Arsenal matched that with a tough performance. Nothing spectacular, just taking care of business. An important win as we now go into the off season on a positive note. For those interested, I'll be on BBC Radio Five Live tonight at around 8:30pm eastern. Go to bbc.co.uk and then go to radio, then five live. 1-nil to the Arsenal, 1-nil to the Arsenal...