Will we bottle the Fa Cup ?

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If you change your mind and think this team is a bunch of bottling cunts, feel free to request your poll vote to be changed.

Changed Votes:
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They better not do and not so Wenger can have one last hurrah, but for us fans!

Birmingham 2011 remains in the memory though! As does Bradford and Blackburn last year.

When are we playing Wigan? And will we have Ramsey or Özil back for that one?

You couldn't rule it out but I firmly believe we'll win it. We've bounced back from many terrible results this season and usually do the job against the smaller clubs.

I expect us to win it, but I can't rule out us f*cking this up.

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Originally Posted by Özim

I expect us to win it, but I can't rule out us f*cking this up.

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This.

I voted no. Its highly unlikely that we can fluff a good chance like this.

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Originally Posted by fakeyank

I voted no. Its highly unlikely that we can fluff a good chance like this.

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But you still want Wenger out even if we do win it?

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Originally Posted by Letters

But you still want Wenger out even if we do win it?

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Yep, winning it has nothing to do with the rot we currently have at the club. :gp:

Rot? Do go on.

I actually think he will walk at the end of the season.

But yeh I agree that he should go even if we do win it.

Same old problems, same old discussions.

I'm bored of it all now, it's gettin too long in the tooth tbh.

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Originally Posted by Letters

Rot? Do go on.

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Nah! Everything is just dandy in Wengerworld. Ignore him.

:rolleyes:

Yes. 'Everything is dandy' and 'rot' are the only two options.

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Originally Posted by milla

Yep, winning it has nothing to do with the rot we currently have at the club. :gp:

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Yes. I do not see us moving forward with Wenger in charge. Lot of reasons and it primarily has to do with 'not giving a damn' about the shirt. I do not see passion in our game, I do not think Wenger has it in him to motivate the players to take the next step and for us to become one of the best teams in Europe.

I do not see him being tactically astute enough to match with the top managers in the world. Every match against top teams look the same.. lack of imagination, motivation and desire. Let me not go into our style of play, which is absolutely dire.

As for signings, I havent trusted his transfer acumen for a while but the Kallstrom signing just summed it up for me.

Yes, he HAS done many things for Arsenal. Yes, he WAS the reason why we have high expectations. But time is here for us to make the next step and move on. Time to stop living in the past and pass on the reigns to someone else. Football has sadly passed him by almost a decade ago.

That is an exaggeration.

Ok

You know it is and you understand context.

I think it is time for a change, but for someone who has had football pass him by a decade ago would not have been able to manage us through the period of change the Club has undergone.

We are set up nicely for the future - it just isn't a future that Wenger is likely to take us through.

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Originally Posted by Steve French

You know it is and you understand context.

I think it is time for a change, but for someone who has had football pass him by a decade ago would not have been able to manage us through the period of change the Club has undergone.

We are set up nicely for the future - it just isn't a future that Wenger is likely to take us through.

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I would agree on that. I think when I said 'football has passed him by for almost a decade', that is not correct. I think its better if I said "he hasnt moved along as quickly as football has progressed" would be more apt.
But I guess, we both agree that it is high time to have someone else to take us into a new future.

don't even want to entertain the prospect of us not winning the fa cup, i think i would be heartbroken

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Originally Posted by Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie

don't even want to entertain the prospect of us not winning the fa cup, i think i would be heartbroken

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prepare yourself, just in case

Leave aside the performance of the team yesterday - we all just accept that was dire. But it wasn't the worst performance of the day. For that we need to look at the ref and his linesmen and the fourth official. They were as clueless as it is possible to be. So we should win this cup, we are stronger than the teams left in it, we have done well enough against all but the top clubs this season. We are clear favourites. But never underestimate the incompetence of the guy in the middle who may well end up the key player in this. Any game can be ruined by them, any result twisted 180 degrees. There's an element of lottery to every match and no guarantees.

I ask you this, why was the refereeing never an issue when we were winning trophies left right and centre?

I reckon it's because we were good enough so that it didn't matter, that's what top sides tend to do, make any other factors irrelevant.

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Originally Posted by Özim

I ask you this, why was the refereeing never an issue when we were winning trophies left right and centre?

I reckon it's because we were good enough so that it didn't matter, that's what top sides tend to do, make any other factors irrelevant.

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It was. That disgraceful dive by Rooney. Terribly bent pro-Utd refs like Poll and Bennett. Refs most certainly were a problem back then, they always are - win, lose or draw. They are shit and they keep proving it week in, week out. Their bosses are shit too for refusing to give them the tools to help them do a better job.

Wigan wll outplay and embarsse Arsenal. Another trophyless season I'm afraid.

No they won't. But they'll battle hard and we'll have to do the same. Which is why Giroud, Podolski and Cazorla should be benched. Those guys don't have the stomach for it. This is an ideal game for limited but energetic types like Flamini.

Have you seen Wigan play recently? They are a very accomplished passing side who tore City to shreds in the last round. When we went to City we collapased and couldnt get hold of the ball. Just because Wigan are a small town club and play in the Championship I wouldnt take this as a given. We did that against Birmingham remember. I wont even label this as a shock, I think we go in to this game as favoruites where as Wigan havent got anything to lose. Our whole season depends on this, where as thier main focus is the playoffs and promotion. This will be a day out for all of Wigan, I can see us losing this game without being shocked to be truthful.

We bully the small teams and get thumped by the big teams so i expect us to win the FA cup.

However our ability to bottle the big occasions can not be underestimated and i really fear for this team now. Wenger looked a broken man yesterday.

After reading Arseblog, I have doubts about the FA Cup. You just never know what team will turn up when the pressure is on.

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Originally Posted by 1_nilto the arsenal

Have you seen Wigan play recently? They are a very accomplished passing side who tore City to shreds in the last round. When we went to City we collapased and couldnt get hold of the ball. Just because Wigan are a small town club and play in the Championship I wouldnt take this as a given. We did that against Birmingham remember. I wont even label this as a shock, I think we go in to this game as favoruites where as Wigan havent got anything to lose. Our whole season depends on this, where as thier main focus is the playoffs and promotion. This will be a day out for all of Wigan, I can see us losing this game without being shocked to be truthful.

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That's what I said, we'll have to battle. So team selection will be very important. We had passengers onboard for the chav game, can't be giving out those free rides against a team that will raise its game for a special occasion. Provided we are committed we'll have too much for them though. The gypos lost because their mercenaries turned up assuming they had already won. If they had approached the game in the same manner they did against us, for example, Wigan would have been routed. We need to pick our best eleven in terms of attitude and discipline. If we have eleven with the right attitude and discipline.

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Originally Posted by Letters

Rot? Do go on.

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There is no rot. But there is a real, justifiable feeling that Wenger has run his course. I no longer believe he can do more than we have seen in the second half of his reign. More money or not.

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Originally Posted by 1_nilto the arsenal

Wigan wll outplay and embarsse Arsenal. Another trophyless season I'm afraid.

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The fact that we cannot be confident about playing them, given the evidence we have seen for the last 5 years - speaks volumes about where we are.

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Originally Posted by 1_nilto the arsenal

Have you seen Wigan play recently? They are a very accomplished passing side who tore City to shreds in the last round. When we went to City we collapased and couldnt get hold of the ball. Just because Wigan are a small town club and play in the Championship I wouldnt take this as a given. We did that against Birmingham remember. I wont even label this as a shock, I think we go in to this game as favoruites where as Wigan havent got anything to lose. Our whole season depends on this, where as thier main focus is the playoffs and promotion. This will be a day out for all of Wigan, I can see us losing this game without being shocked to be truthful.

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I agree Wigan are a very accomplished side and I truly hope Wenger doesn't underestimate them. Wigan are a Premier League side playing in the Championship IMHO, they are no worse than West Ham or someone like that.

I think if the players are really up for this and take them seriously then we should win but it's going to be a very difficult game, I wouldn't be surprised if they take us to extra time.

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Originally Posted by IBK

The fact that we cannot be confident about playing them, given the evidence we have seen for the last 5 years - speaks volumes about where we are.

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as long as we aren't as over confident as the gypos were we'll be ok.

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Originally Posted by Niall_Quinn

as long as we aren't as over confident as the gypos were we'll be ok.

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Perhaps - but the fact that no Gooner now thinks we will take charge of this is illustrative of where we are.

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Originally Posted by IBK

The fact that we cannot be confident about playing them, given the evidence we have seen for the last 5 years - speaks volumes about where we are.

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tbf it is a cup game and they will be as motivated as anyone, more so because they are defending it

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Originally Posted by Letters

But you still want Wenger out even if we do win it?

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Why would you want Wenger to stay if we do win it?

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Originally Posted by Dein-machine

Why would you want Wenger to stay if we do win it?

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Because we've made progress this year and if we win a trophy too that will be something worth building on.

Last year we were struggling most of the season and only just snuck into the top 4 on the last day.
This year after 29 games we were 4 points off the top with a game in hand. Yes yes, the thumping was embarrassing but we're still 9 points off better than at this stage last year and we've got a lot of good wins this year in games we were drawing or losing last year. We've negotiated 3 tricky Cup ties (all at home, admittedly, but still 3 of the top 6 teams and one who are genuine title contenders) to get us to the FA Cup semi final. We've had this big mental block in big games over the last few years which has contributed to us not winning trophies. If we go and do it this year - and with the teams left then we really should - then that's something we can build on. The players will no longer be playing for a side who haven't won a trophy in 9 years. We're a top striker away from being a side who can genuinely challenge. We don't need to rip everything up and start again.

Anyone who wants Wenger to leave this year under any circumstances is simply cutting their own throats and hasn't been paying attention to anything that has happened at this club over the last year. It really is a simple as that. If you measure the state of a club simply on the final league table then you have measured 50% at best of the important factors. Over the next 10 years we're going to have a big say in how that final table looks - BECAUSE of the 50% most are ignoring. Well maybe, because maybe football will change all over again, you can only plan for what you know. But the signs are excellent.

Another question that has to be asked - why do fans want to win tin pots above all else? Is it for the pot? The tin it is made from? Or is it for something else? If the pot is a symbol of achievement that represents the culmination of effort across a broad spectrum then there is value. But if we are chasing tin for bragging rights or some other meaningless and fleeting satisfaction then there is no value. What strikes me most about modern fans is the ability to shift from worship to outright hatred in the space of a week. It implies a lack of thought and appreciation of what it really means and what it really takes to achieve something that is hard to achieve.

We could lose this tin cup for many reasons, just as we can win it for many reasons. A significant part of the outcome in any cup competition is random. To say we must win because we are a big club against smaller clubs is to throw away the essence of sport and competition. If we are at our best and the opponent is at their best and the random factors are not too significant then we should win. That's the best we can say. To approach the match with the feeling of entitlement is a sure fire way to lose. Again, I'm glad that some of our so-called fans aren't within a mile of the decision making process.

There was a time when it genuinely appeared the fans were being fucked over. The many being robbed by the few. There has now been a clear demonstration this is not the case. There is evidence right under our noses. So now there are the loudest calls of all for everything to be blown to pieces, some say on the strength of who gets to hoist a tin cup. The pot isn't the goal. The effort and planning that goes before the final and almost trivial by comparison act of hoisting the pot is what counts. And if anyone has the nerve to say there has been no effort, no plan, then the only option is to laugh in their face. There is a simple remedy for the pot chasers who value nothing but the tin - there are two clubs available who have turned the capture of pots without any of the typical burdens of sport and ambition into an art form. They will welcome your shallow support with open arms.

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Originally Posted by Letters

Because we've made progress this year and if we win a trophy too that will be something worth building on.

Last year we were struggling most of the season and only just snuck into the top 4 on the last day.
This year after 29 games we were 4 points off the top with a game in hand. Yes yes, the thumping was embarrassing but we're still 9 points off better than at this stage last year and we've got a lot of good wins this year in games we were drawing or losing last year. We've negotiated 3 tricky Cup ties (all at home, admittedly, but still 3 of the top 6 teams and one who are genuine title contenders) to get us to the FA Cup semi final. We've had this big mental block in big games over the last few years which has contributed to us not winning trophies. If we go and do it this year - and with the teams left then we really should - then that's something we can build on. The players will no longer be playing for a side who haven't won a trophy in 9 years. We're a top striker away from being a side who can genuinely challenge. We don't need to rip everything up and start again.

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I can see where you're coming from with the "monkey off our back" scenario but I just think the footballing world at top level is simply beyond Wenger now. Watching EL Classico last night made me realise that we have actually gone backwards, we are not progressing. These teams have qualty players in every position, not necessarily £50mill + players but they can all pass & move with pace - a bit like what we used to do. We may even miss out on 4th this year yet & whilst I agree our points total is better so far, I put this down to us holding on & narrowly beating lesser teams by defending in numbers. This is not progress for Arsenal (only if we want to become Stoke) - it is anti-football for us & whilst we may get away with it against Palace & Fulham, we are not good enough at it against the better teams. 3 out of our last 4 signings have been free transfers, this is Wenger style - no other top manager would do this because they know it cannot work. Even our subs should be of a certain quality for us to be where we should be at this stage of Wenger's reign. When, during his early reign, did we ever get the hammering's we've had in later years by our competitors - don't bring out the "Sheiks & Oligarchs" excuse because Liverpool hammered us this year & we were lucky in my opinion to not get another hammering from them in the cup. We have been & are able to compete with them financially. Liverpool can certainly claim progress - we most certainly can't.

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Originally Posted by Niall_Quinn

Anyone who wants Wenger to leave this year under any circumstances is simply cutting their own throats and hasn't been paying attention to anything that has happened at this club over the last year. It really is a simple as that. If you measure the state of a club simply on the final league table then you have measured 50% at best of the important factors. Over the next 10 years we're going to have a big say in how that final table looks - BECAUSE of the 50% most are ignoring. Well maybe, because maybe football will change all over again, you can only plan for what you know. But the signs are excellent.

Another question that has to be asked - why do fans want to win tin pots above all else? Is it for the pot? The tin it is made from? Or is it for something else? If the pot is a symbol of achievement that represents the culmination of effort across a broad spectrum then there is value. But if we are chasing tin for bragging rights or some other meaningless and fleeting satisfaction then there is no value. What strikes me most about modern fans is the ability to shift from worship to outright hatred in the space of a week. It implies a lack of thought and appreciation of what it really means and what it really takes to achieve something that is hard to achieve.

We could lose this tin cup for many reasons, just as we can win it for many reasons. A significant part of the outcome in any cup competition is random. To say we must win because we are a big club against smaller clubs is to throw away the essence of sport and competition. If we are at our best and the opponent is at their best and the random factors are not too significant then we should win. That's the best we can say. To approach the match with the feeling of entitlement is a sure fire way to lose. Again, I'm glad that some of our so-called fans aren't within a mile of the decision making process.

There was a time when it genuinely appeared the fans were being fucked over. The many being robbed by the few. There has now been a clear demonstration this is not the case. There is evidence right under our noses. So now there are the loudest calls of all for everything to be blown to pieces, some say on the strength of who gets to hoist a tin cup. The pot isn't the goal. The effort and planning that goes before the final and almost trivial by comparison act of hoisting the pot is what counts. And if anyone has the nerve to say there has been no effort, no plan, then the only option is to laugh in their face. There is a simple remedy for the pot chasers who value nothing but the tin - there are two clubs available who have turned the capture of pots without any of the typical burdens of sport and ambition into an art form. They will welcome your shallow support with open arms.

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Arsenal fans had become used to success at Highbury & we were sold the "Emirates" dream by the board advising that we were moving to increase our financial revenue to allow us to build a side that could dominate Europe - NOT compete, we were already doing that with C.L semi-finals & final. Dominating Europe, I would expect them to mean winning most trophies or tin as you put it.
Now we have a lovely stadium but alas no tin! - not even a hint of it for 8 years.
So maybe as we're paying the highest prices in the league for season tickets, seeing the revenue increase every year, new shirt deals etc - maybe you shouldn't begrudge some of us having a moan when the guy in charge fucks up another year of our lives with his lack of ambition. If I was just here for the tin, I should be happy we have a great chance to win the FA Cup, but winning it this year after being humiliated by the top teams doesn't mean we are any step closer to dominating Europe.

Yes the Mancs & Chavs have bought trophies but if Liverpool were to win the title this year - it would prove money doesn't always prevail. Sometimes you need a manager with fresh ideas,one that understands the modern game & one that realises that free transfer players normally means that their SHIT.