Another cup tie, another replay. Why is it that this year we seem to be having problems clearing the cup ties the first time around? For the third time this season, we have met a lower division side and not got the job done. Leeds, Ipswich and now Leyton Orient. Sunday’s game was in the bag until the lads decided to be generous to Leyton and give them the financial boost of a replay. Arsene has said earlier that these replays are important for the lower league sides and he does not support the abolishment of the replay system. I wonder if he is thinking twice now.
Luckily for us, we have a big squad to go around. I don’t mind the replay because it would give some of the second stringers a chance to play. I though Miquel played well in his debut. The same cannot be said about some of the other senior players though. Bendtner was nowhere, his only contribution was his assist for the Rosicky goal. The Czech was not any better. He was a big disappointment apart from scoring the goal. He constantly gave away the ball and was not influential at all. The other cog in the attacking system, Chamakh was hardly a treat. He certainly looks off colour after a bright start to his first season with the Gunners. The only offensive player I thought gave a good account of himself was Arshavin. The Russian looks like coming back to his old form.
This replay is another match in our very congested fixture list. We will be playing twice a week till mid march now instead of having a rest the week before going to Barcelona. There’s still the postponed match against Spurs which has yet to be rescheduled. That’s the price for challenging in all four competitions.
Submitted by The Arsenal Kid
