It seems that everyone (myself included) are blowing right past our match with Sheff Utd. and concentrating on the AFC-ManUre match. What's the line on this one, the consensus of the masses? Thought I'd ask. Vive le AFC! OPArsenal
blowing off the semi's??? now that would certainly be foolish... IMO, old trafford is going to be mad with loads of blades fans and the atmosphere should be electric... AW isnt that foolish as he knows a trophy is SOOO close... i expect a VERY amped up team on sunday afternoon~ not a weakened side that seems to of littered the past few cup tie's~~~ come on gunners!! phishy~~
I expect a fairly strong team on Sunday, I bloody hope so after spending all that moeny ot get there and back! I wouldn't expect to see any of the injured make comebacks (Keown , Pires) if there's any doubt they wouldn't make the Utd game because of it. I'd like to see Ashley Cole play because I don't trust Toure, even against Sheffield Utd!
I think this is the game that shows if Arsenal is really serious about winning trophies this season. If they come out and play like they're capable and like they played against Chelsea, this should be over by halftime, as Sheffield, while a very spirited side, doesn't have the talent to run with the Gunners. If Arsenal plays like they did against Villa, I'm not going to be happy, even if they do win. They need a great performance just to get confidence back, particularly up front. If Henry can just score one, I have a feeling the floodgates will be open and the boys will be ready to take on the ManUre scum on Wednesday, though Wiltord needs to play just because he always scores against the Mancs!
Nothing short of an absolute thrashing will suffice for me. For Pete's sake, if we're not going to score goals against Shef United, when are we going to? No excuses, just results. Arsenal 4 - S United 0.
tv It's showing live on directv ppv for $15.95 at 8:30 on Sunday I believe. To be sure check soccertv.com and follow to the England link.
Too right. This is the time to make a statement as it were. We'll see the strongest squad possible on Sunday no more poncing about on Wenger's part. He's pulled of coups in the last two rounds but he won't push his luck too far. He's tried that in the past and its backfired. He knows better now.
I agree. I want a win, and a big one. A 1-0 squeaker will just piss me off and make me apprehensive about the final AND the ManU game. I'm hoping for at least 3-0.
I just want a win one like last yrs Semi a sloppy goal for a 1-0 will do me or even like in the 98 Semi against Wolves.We are not known for putting on spectacular performances in cup Semi finals.The most important thing is a win with no injuries, to set us up for the big one against MANURE
From soccertv.com: Sun Apr 13 05:30AM Pacific Sun Apr 13 06:30AM Mountain Sun Apr 13 07:30AM Central Sun Apr 13 08:30AM Eastern Length: 2 hr 30 min LIVE Setanta Sport - closed-circuit/PPV (1-415-566-6701) English FA Cup Semifinal 1 Arsenal vs Sheffield United DirecTV, DISH Network, Bell ExpressVu PPV: $15.95. Also available at selected restaurants, bars and pubs. and Sun Apr 13 08:00AM Pacific Sun Apr 13 09:00AM Mountain Sun Apr 13 10:00AM Central Sun Apr 13 11:00AM Eastern Length: 2 hr 30 min SDD Setanta Sport - closed-circuit/PPV (1-415-566-6701) English FA Cup Semifinal 1 Arsenal vs Sheffield United TVN, iNDemand PPV: US$15.95. Viewer's Choice Canada PPV: CDN$15.95
And unlike Arsenal's other FA Cup matches, it doesn't look like this one's going to be replayed on FSW, at least not according to what I've read.
I didn't mean for it to sound like we were blowing off the match, but rather that I hadn't seen any talk about it. I think that 3 or 4-nil is a good estimate. 2-0 is disappointing and 1-0, simply unacceptable. All in all, a good match to see how ready we are for Merchandise Utd. Vive le AFC! OPArsenal
Then I guess this is the best time if any for Sylvain to come up big. I just hope Arsenal doesn't underestimate their opponents and have it bite them in the ass. Oooh, imagine the headlines if they lost this one. Since the game is at Old Trafford, could the crowd be a significant factor of the game sans coin throwing, simply because it's at Old Trafford?
"I just hope Arsenal doesn't underestimate their opponents and have it bite them in the ass". EXACTLY - COME ON YOU BLADES
Hey, look, the Sheffield United fan on Big Soccer makes an appearance! Just kidding, GQ, good luck on Sunday and let's hope for a well-played game. Do you have any idea how the Blades are going to play it - defensively, with 10 or 11 men behind the ball, or will they try to attack at all? Who's their main threat?
Here's an interesting little article from the BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/2931535.stm I really think it's gonna be a tough match. Having to play Southampton the day before, I'm gonna have to believe that it's gonna take a toll on some of the players. And Arsene can't afford to sit some guys since the Premiership match is just as important as the FA Cup match. Maybe I'm getting too analytical, who knows, but it'll be a tough one and very dissapointing if they lose either one. Yeah, I look at the glass half full.
I believe the Southamption game is being postponed until the fate of the FA Cup is decided this weekend. They play Waltford(sp?) on Sat. Arsenal needs to take this game seriously like all the others. They can't afford to look ahead towards Wed's game against Manure scum.
Thanks, dwinkler it should be a brilliant match. We are massive underdogs, but as you know anything can happen in football. As you may know the Blades have beaten Premiership opposition in cup competition this season including Leeds twice, Liverpool and Sunderland. Of course none of these teams are of the quality of Arsenal, but it's a one-off and if teams are not mentally ready, they can be beaten. Generally, the Blades do not pack players behind the ball, they like to go forward and attack. Wenger and Sol Campbell stated the same thing a few weeks back. They will probably start in a 4-5-1, with midfield support from the 2 Mikes - Michael Brown and Michael Tonge, Peter Ndlovu, Steve Kabba, Wayne Allison, Phil Jagielka are some of the players I hope will stick in a goal or two. It is going to be very difficult to contain T. Henry (if he plays) and Patrick Viera who I consider to be the best midfielder in the Premiership. Good luck to both teams..... It has been a dream season so far, long may it continue. May the Football Gods shine brightly on the Blades! Cheers, GQ
GQ - you mentioned three EPL sides that Sheffield Utd has played but you only listed one? What gives? And even at that Liverpool are on a downward spiral right at the moment... This will be a tough game, as are many FA Cup games. Arsenal need to remain mentally tough and stop squandering chances, like they have been apt to do recently. Utd is likely to come out blazing as this could really make their season! Outside promotion, the FA Cup is the biggest thing a non-EPL team (and quite a few EPL teams like Chelsea) can win! I predict a scrappy hard fought match but Arsenal's quality comes out in the end and Wiltord scores a brace.