Cup Preview Censored

This cup preview was censored by NewsNow because the article beneath it had a slang word in it: I reproduce it in full below: Only one London club has beat Hull in the capital city, and it wasn't Chelsea. Fulham are their most recent victims; Arsenal and Tottenham were defeated by them earlier on, and Chelsea drew.

Hull are almost safe from relegation worries, but will need half a dozen more points to be absolutely certain of Premiership football next season. However the league won't be on their mind on Tuesday night, instead they will be looking for some magic in the cup.

Arsenal have already donated some magic to Hull by being part of one of the biggest upsets this season. Yes the 2-1 defeat that put a spotlight on some of the Gunners fundamental weaknesses, weaknesses that may just be beginning to be rectified.

It was Arsenal's First Eleven.

Anyone expecting an easy ride should keep in mind that Arsenal put out its first eleven that day; Fabregas, RvP and Ade were all playing. Of course since then Hull have faded somewhat, and the Gunners will always have Rome.

However, this is the toughest opposition Arsenal have yet to face in this year's cup run. The worst scenario would be Hull forcing a draw and adding another match to our already crowded fixture list.

There is no incentive for Brown to send his team on all out attack, he can afford a draw, or to take it carefully and look for a late winner. Meanwhile Arsenal must be favourites as they are unbeaten in all domestic competitions since the second of December and the Premiership since November 22.

The Goal Drought?

The goal drought ended away at WBA on March 3^rd, and disappeared in a deluge at home with four against the Bolton Reserves, or Blackburn as they have been renamed. However, the drought never existed in FA Cup games, and to date the team have scored ten with only one in reply.

The Team

It is unlikely that Eduardo or Ade will be available for this match, but Wenger now has plenty of striking options, RvP, Arshavin, Bendtner, Vela and Walcott, plus there is always the goal machine that is Emanuel Eboue. Wenger will rotate the squad slightly as the next match is away at Newcastle on Saturday.

Blackburn Report

For some technical reason my Blackburn Report was not syndicated on News Now yesterday, so just in case you missed it here it is again:

Dowdy Dowd, Super Nik, Roma Affect, Pedersen Cheats

The Roma effect kicked in as Arsenal played some of the most uninhibited football after a CL game that I can remember in a long time. True it was only Blackburn, and the crowd mocked are you Bolton in disguise. However Blackburn were a poor imitation of the Trotters, apart from the thuggery of the Big Sam era.

It felt like a holiday at the Grove, the fans had already enjoyed themselves cheering and laughing at Man U's ineptitude on the numerous screens around the stadium. Every close up of the disconsolate Sir Alex drew great mirth from the assemble throng.

Roma Affect

The team came on like conquering heroes and were given a standing ovation for their mighty mid week deeds. The stage was set for good performance, but would it all go wrong on the back of three nil-nil draws at home?

The question was answered in less than two minutes when Arshavin appeared to bundle the ball into the net. The crowd cheered as the announcer proclaimed the Russian's debut goal. However replays on the big screen showed it had gone in off a defender.

It is worth noting that Nik Bendtner was an important part of the build up to the first goal. During the rest of the first half Arsenal could have had a hatful, but didn't quite get the finishing straight.

Arshavin did not have to wait long for his debut goal, and when it came it was superb. Picking the ball up on the wing he made his way to the by line, then turned and ran along it, like Robbie Fowler following a line with his nose, evading lunging Blackburn defenders, when he was nearly at the post, and no more than a yard or so out he screwed the ball into the top of the net.

What a quality goal, it reminded me of Kanu at Chelsea, but even better, more acute, and more emphatic. The guy is Robert Pires and Marc Overmars rolled into one. The game was over, no way was that bunch of lunging carthorses getting back into it.

Super Nick

Behind me some idiot had latched on to Bendtner baiting, "he is not Bergkamp", er yes mate that can be said about 99% of all players, and 100% of players at the age of 20. Next, "he's not Anelka", very true he is not as sulky. Yes Nik's finishing was poor, though replays show that the chances were not quite as easy as the armchair fan imagines. The important thing is that he played for the team and was pivotal to a lot that went on.

Crowd rally behind him

A minority of the crowd started to get on his back, but Red Action and the rest of the North Bank started singing super Nik. Fans that prefer to support rather than just moan got behind him; and Nik acknowledged it by applauding the North Bank. The majority of the crowd applauded him as he went off.

I don't know if Nik will make it or not, but I can't stand fans having a go at a 20 year old player, who does have, in certain areas of his game, real talent. What is the point of destroying the confidence of a 20 year old? Do they think he doesn't know he messed up on some chances? How will booing help him exactly? 

Eboue finished off the moaner behind me, as he came on we sang "you've only come to see Eboue". Arshavin struck the ball hard at goal, the keeper parried it and there was our new fox in the box to finish it. The pro Bendtner faction crowed and sang the Eboue song, Mr Moanie left looking very p*****d off that Eboue had scored.

When Vela was brought down, Eboue picked up the ball straight away and put it on the spot. I don't know if it was a team decision or what, any how he coolly put it away. The crowd celebrated the heroes of Rome, plus a few changes, had not let them down.

The warm afterglow of Rome continued for another day, at last after weeks of shame I could go home and watch Match of the Day head held high; and not have to wait until the very last match.

Dowdy Dowd and Cheaty Pedersen

Dowd had a reasonable game, but bottled two very big decisions. Firstly Diouf's tackle on Almunia was a straight red, not a yellow. The tackle was a week late and two feet high, he could have broken Almunia's ankle. It was a disgrace, and even the pundits on MOTD agreed that it was a sending off.

Later in the second half Pedersen tried to cheat a penalty. He went over in the box with Sagna two yards away, and then appealed to the ref for a penalty. When it was refused he beat the ground; now if he had fell over and not appealed I would agree it was an accident but he didn't. Dowd clearly didn't think it was a penalty, so why not a booking? MOTD showed it again and again, I do hope they show it some more.

The Roma Effect

A journalist asked Wenger if the victory in Rome had contributed to Arsenal's victory. Wenger replied he preferred to look at it the other

Way around, what would have happened if the team had lost? He couldn't imagine the team playing as well then.

We need to put the Roma effect into a bottle, carefully look after it, and bring its positive powers to matches. It should be used to create a bond between the team and the fans. It should be used to dispense with mean spiritedness. There is no doubt that those fans who chanted Super Nik helped win the day. Imagine if the moaners had won out? It would have made the whole team nervous; instead of Arshavin scoring it could have been squeaky b*m time.

Well done to all those that joined in.