Hello. "Stunning" team news, according to Sky - no Henry, Bergkamp, or Ljungberg in the starting lineup. Arsenal Taylor Lauren Campbell Cygan Toure Parlour Vieira Edu Pires Wiltord Jeffers Subs Ljungberg Bergkamp Henry van Bronckhorst Warmuz Chelsea Cudicini Melchiot Terry Gallas Stanic Lampard Morris Petit Le Saux Zola Hasselbaink Subs De Goey Desailly Zenden Gudjohnsen Gronkjaer
I shudder at the alternatives - Stepanovs and a Gilberto/Edu midfield. George Graham and Dennis Wise are the guest commentators - Wise says Chelsea will win based on the side Arsenal are putting out tonight. Tool.
BLOODY HELL!!! Tonight we will see how well AW knows his squad! I am shocked at this selection. Does AW not care about the cup, is he under estimating Chelsea? I have no clue how this squad will gel? I guess we will see in 35 minutes! Good luck Dwinkler
You are correct, sir. Gilberto isn't even on the bench. Interesting that Toure is in again at LB. I know some folks here look at Gio through orange-tinted glasses, but this says to me that the Everton match was his last chance to claim the LB spot, he wasn't good enough, and now he's back to the bench.
Only change for Chelsea from their 5-0 beating of Man City is Petit in for Gudjohnsen. Thought Ranieri might stick with three forwards. No out-and-out winger for them; don't count Le Saux.
Ya know, maybe it's just me, but I'm not that bothered by the selection. Freddie's been crap this season, Dennis has only shown up at times. Of course Henry's been the man, but why the hell not throw Jeffers in there? And Wiltord, as we all know, scores in big games, and there's none bigger than this one for awhile. At the back, I'm happy with Toure for GVB. Parlour's OK as long as Vieira's in the lineup, so, all in all, I think it's pretty reasonable.
I second that, he has beefed up the midfield by putting parlour in and beefed up the left back by putting a guy who won't get knocked off the ball. Also, with veira cambpell & parlor you have 3 players who would give their left testicale for a win. meanwhile up front, Jeffers might be better to poach a first goal for the gunners and then later on when Chelsea are tire put on Henry with his pace he would give them problems, and finally, perhaps he is thinking about extra time, I trust the man. COME ON YOU GUNNERS
Dennis Wise just said "Ray Parlour gets his fair share of goals." Well, if you consider two in two seasons "fair share," then he's on to something. (C'mon, Ray, prove me wrong and drill a 30-yarder tonight!). George Graham, who hasn't been an effective manager in many years, is second-guessing Wenger's lineup. To which I say, shut your pie hole, you bung-taking loser. By the way, lunch was leftover chicken enchiladas and a Pepsi.
In the tunnel Chelsea in blue, Arsenal in red. Vieira and Pires have both kissed Petit. Edu doesn't look impressed.
Re: In the tunnel THE KISS OF DEATH, frankly I would also be a little scared if viera started kissing me!
Just before kickoff David Elleray is the referee. Chelsea unbeaten in the last 10 matches he's reffed. Martin Tyler and Andy Gray are the announcers. Arsenal attacks from right to left in the first half. They just showed the Chelsea Fanzone guy who famously said, "It's only Ray Parlour." Good stuff. Bless you, FSW, for showing this match.
4th minute Arsenal with possession now. Toure gets down the left flank but is dispossessed from behind. Petit comes in on Vieira with a trailing leg, called for the foul.
7th minute Chelsea corner after miscommunication between Toure and Taylor. Toure knocked the ball over the line when it looked Taylor had it. Zola with the corner, JFH heads it into the ground and over the bar. Bad marking, excellent chance wasted.
9th minute Chelsea win a free kick from about 35 yards after Parlour fouls Lampard. Ball is chipped into the box and Gallas heads it out for a goal kick.
10th minute 10 minutes in. Chelsea look the better side, but just barely. Wiltord and Jeffers haven't clicked just yet. The pitch looks a bit soft, and some players have already stumbled. Parlour makes a run, cuts inside, and fires a dribbler from 25 yards that slowly goes wide of the goal. I hope it's a good omen...
12th minute Chelsea corner after Toure headed out a Melchiot throw. Zola takes it from Taylor's left side. Cross is long, headed back into the box, and Terry is called for a foul on Vieira. Lauren got hammered in the process and gets some treatment. Gio shown warming up, Gunners shudder everywhere (except, perhaps, in Holland).
16th minute Arsenal play the ball out of trouble from the back - great teamwork. Wiltord called for offside.
17th minute Cygan dumps JFH, and the Dutchman whines about the call. Stanic clatters into Wiltord and is given a yellow card. Replay shows that Stanic caught Wiltord right in the shin with an upturned boot - good call.
20th minute Players slipping all over the place. Why the hell can't Chelsea get it right? First it's a beach, now it's a fricking water park? Wiltord makes some space down the left side, cuts back a cross in the box but it's cleared away by Chelsea.