Saturday, 28 January 2017

Bans Banter & FA Cup Preview

      Whadup ma beautiful people, not much happening besides Trump shooting off from his hip as usual and of course, those silly rumors about my Presidents death. Jeeze some people are so discontent with his handling the leadership of the world’s most populous black country thus far that they wish him dead…..to those people I shake my head for you, not like I am impressed with the current economic state of the country, far from it but to now go as far as wishing ill of death on the president just because you are unimpressed, seriously such people should get a LIFE puhlllzzzzzzz!!! Back to things football jaare, did i say nothing much is happening ?
    A lot is actually, AFCON semis are here if you watching while Arsenal’s manager Arsene Wenger finally got handed his anticipated and much deserved 4 match touchline ban by the FA for his misconduct in the dugout during the latter stages of the drama filled contest against Burnley at the Emirates last weekend. God knows what came over him but I expected better from Arsene, pushing the NOT so "special one" into his proper place is begrudgingly okay for me, but doing that to a fourth official is definitely asking for the hammer which he deserved to get. I wouldn’t want us to dwell to much on that as the match in question was drama-filled enough, besides the media circus this has racked up should suffice for those baying for the Frenchman’s blood. Well people of the press, there you go….. I am happy about the way the match ended with us “nicking” 3 points after allowing Burnley draw level from the spot. It seemed like one of those days where Arsenal looked set for the usual collapse when bashed by a bad stroke of luck but…we had good the fortune of lady luck with that controversial penalty and Sanchez (touch wood) duly converted. Burnley have every right to feel cheated...... again by Koscielny who was at the heart of our highly controversial 1-0 win at Turf moor but on the balance of everything I think we just shaved the desire in terms of who wanted and needed the points more. I am not going to cry over that or Arsene’s  ban, if you ask me I kind of wish to see Steve Bould whip the boiz up from the touchline, let see what he’s got in the locker shall we?

        This weekend the Emirates FA cup takes center stage as we visit another team that seems to be becoming a bogey team for the gunners away especially. Southampton Saint Mary’s seems like a tough nut to crack these days for some mysterious reason. Arsenal hasn’t won there in the league since 2013 if I am not mistaken and now we have an FA cup 4th round tie to navigate. Well it looks poised for us to get  upset, but there’s the good luck charm of Mustafi (if he plays we don’t lose…hehehee), seriously if we have any dreams of winning any trophy this season, then I say realistically it’s the FA Cup. EFL cup is out and while i am not giving up on the league, just that to win it requires a lot of factors clicking with most out of Arsenals control, basically the EPL trophy is Chelsea’s to lose, simple as that! The UEFA champion’s league is we all know how its ‘’likely’’ to go after drawing Bayern yet again despite topping group A. I don’t know if we are mature enough to navigate this tie better this time around. That’s what now? 3 trophy’s out of Four discounted, leaving just the FA cup, a bit underwhelming for this team no doubt but still a trough that has some amout of tin glamour. I would expect Arsene Wenger to field a strong side, maybe even bring on the BIG guns in Alexis & Özil. Southampton has knocked us out of a competition this season, just like they did last season so they are no slouches on the pitch. The good news is, we have more options up front although a bit short in midfield being without Neny at the AFCON 2017 and Xhaka after picking another of those silly reds he seems to have a knack for. I would expect the boiz to be pumped up for this, we need to stuff the saints in their won backyard by doing a good payback. I will pick a strong and fast front three of Perez Sanchez and Welbz. Power and pace to hit them on the break, Ramsey plays behind them with Coquelin and Niles at the base. The back four picks itself with only Ospina taking Cech’s place between the sticks. Below is my preferred Team Sheet
Subs: Martinez, Jeff, Oxlade, Giroud,  Özil, Koscielny, Mertersacker, Iwobi

A relatively strong line up if not our best starting 11 and the bench isnt that far off in quality too. The Big question is can we stay focused in enought to eck out a much needed win, replays are the last resort right now. i guess we would have to wait and see if the Boiz are up for it. Thats it from us here at anaijagunner, do enjoy the game wherever you are....Ciaoo

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