So after the Winter World Cup, a break for some players of six weeks or so, then three Premier League games condensed into nine days, it’s time on Monday evening for something very old and very traditional. No, not TTG, but the FA Cup or, as it’s referred to in the Tottenham trophy cabinet, the Sweet FA Cup., ‘cos it’s that long since there’s been one in there.
Our 3rd Round tie away to Oxford United has come at a convenient time for our squad, which has been tested to the limits of Mikel Arteta’s confidence by three hard league games and a number of injuries in key areas – namely across our attack. I am unfortunately old enough to have been present at too many cup upsets to imagine that Arsenal will consider this game a foregone conclusion, but we should realistically be able to rely on a high proportion of squad players to see us through to Round 4.
The Stats
Oxford sit in 14th place out of 24 in League 1 and after 24 games in that division, have amassed 29 points, winning 7, drawing 8 and losing 9, with an overall goal difference of 2, having scored 29 and conceded 27. There is nothing to choose between their home and away form, so they cannot and we shouldn’t regard their home Kassam Stadium as any kind of fortress. If you’re going to the game by car, the venue is also known as Grenoble Road. They clearly have a feel for the exotic in Oxford – the ground is actually named after it’s owner and former chairman of the club, Firoz Kassam. If you are one of the travelling faithful, you have been very lucky, or very deserving, as the ground holds only 12,500 people.
Oxford’s only success in cup football came in their most elevated era in 1985-86 when they beat Queen’s Park Rangers 3-0 in the final of the League Cup, not far off a hundred years after the club was founded in October 1893 as Headington United. They played in a number of minor leagues before changing their name to Oxford United in 1960 and being elected to the Football League in 1962. “Big” Ron Atkinson holds the record for most games played for the club – 560 times between 1959 and 1971.They have never won the FA Cup but Oxford University won the competition in 1874, taking over from Wanderers who had been victorious in the previous two seasons.
By contrast Arsenal, of course, have won the competition a record 14 times and even in the latter Wenger years saw success in 2014, 2015, 2017 and in Arteta’s first season in 2020. We have played Oxford twice in the FA Cup and beat them both times, in 1963 and forty years later in 2003, at Highbury, when a certain Dennis Bergkamp scored his 100th goal for the Arsenal.
Oxford won the League Cup tie between the two teams in 1984 at their old Manor Ground, and also beat us 3-0 there in May 1986 in the old League Division One. I have to say I have no recollection of them being in the top flight of the league, but indeed they were, between 1984-85 and 1987-88. Our record wasn’t actually particularly great as we Won 2, Drew 3 and Lost 1 of the six encounters.
The Arsenal
All this, if history is any indicator, should mean that Arsenal can trust a majority of squad players to see them home in this one. Emile Smith-Rowe is reportedly back in full training and will hopefully play some part. He will be a huge and welcome boost to the attacking half of the team after months out following groin surgery, but I would be surprised to see him play more than a half, or 60 minutes at most, and everything will be crossed that he can avoid any referred muscle problems.
Reiss Nelson could also be fit but the thing that set my heart racing while looking up “football London” was the news that Gabriel Jesus had posted another update on his injury, which would give a “massive lift” to Arsenal fans. I speed read my way through the article to find out exactly what this revelation was going to be. Well, the “massive” news is that, after last week’s update, Jesus no longer needs crutches to walk ! Good news indeed, but on that basis I think we are unlikely to see him playing any part on Monday evening!
While some people want Mikel Arteta to rest the entire first eleven, I think we will see some familiar faces lining up. If we are taking the competition seriously, expecting additions over the next three weeks to bolster the squad for later rounds, I would rather see a slightly stronger side establish a lead that would allow the youngsters to be subbed on later in the game, than a disjointed, inexperienced team struggle, followed by a twenty minute charge of the light brigade at the end. We have, after all, six days recovery time before the North London derby on 15th January, and Arteta may prefer to keep some game rhythm going in the players legs than give them a twelve day break.
A stab at the team might be:
Turner;
Tomiyasu, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney;
Xhaka (Elneny), Lokonga, Vieira;
Smith-Rowe, Nketiah, Nelson (Marquinhos).
On another note – RIP Gianluca Vialli Gianluca Vialli sadly passed away with pancreatic cancer on Friday at 58 years of age, far too young for one of football’s good guys. By all accounts a humble, fun loving, decent man, liked by everyone – except Martin Keown who tried unsuccessfully to intimidate and incite him with “a certain type of introduction” (😏) – a failure that no doubt irritated Keown but earned Vialli his great respect as, in Martin’s words, “he was far too clever for that”.
In case anyone hasn’t heard it, there is also the story of Vialli’s first game in charge for Chelsea, where he had been installed to try to overhaul Arsenal’s 1-0 lead in the two legged League Cup semi final of 1998. His pre-match talk included a glass of champagne to get all the players relaxed ! Strength and conditioning coaches might like to note that it worked as they went out and won !
And finally …
It seems that Oxford’s fans are becoming increasingly unhappy at the club’s mediocre performances. At the end of their last home match, a number of £1 coins were thrown onto the pitch. Police are still trying to find out whether this was an act of hooliganism or a takeover bid. 😳
The Holic Pound
I have omitted the betting odds for this very unusual game as I would imagine there would be next to no value on any positive outcome for the Arsenal, and in these difficult times, and especially after Christmas, nobody except TTG would have any money left to gamble with anyway !
If you’re going to the game, good luck finding one of the 2,000 unreserved, first come first served parking spaces (that is true). If you’re not, the tie is on ITV1 in the UK, kick off 20.00.
Referee for this game is David Coote, the fourth official is Michael Salisbury, and I can find no mention of *VAR at all. If you are reassured by any of that – good luck ! I’m beginning to despair of finding a referee who turns in a fair and consistent performance, and who doesn’t want to be the star of the show.
And really finally …
*VAR will apparently be in use in the 3rd Round only at ties hosted by Premier League clubs. That amounts to nine altogether. The rule book for this season’s competition states: “The Association reserves the right to select any match in the Competition Proper, at its absolute discretion, in which VARs will be used.”
So there you are. Perhaps the most surprising thing about that is that the words “The Association” and “it’s absolute discretion” all appear in the same sentence! The least surprising thing is that it makes no nod whatsoever to consistency in officiating.
Whatever happens with refereeing decisions in this game, I hope the club has been well briefed with regard to the expected standards of behaviour. The players must not protest if they see, for example, a team mate being pulled to the ground by the neck, in the area, and no penalty given. If the opposition manage to keep the ball dead for an entire half of the match with play acting and time wasting tactics, the manager must not show his annoyance and frustration. And, travelling fans, if we win, please do not celebrate as though we have just “won the Champions League”. It’s better to file quietly out of the ground like nothing has happened, than pay some respect to the opposition by showing that you are elated to have beaten them.
Only players, managers and fans of other clubs – think, for example, of Klopp, Guardiola, Ferguson and Mourinho’s Chelsea – are allowed such indiscretions (ooh, that word again) without sanction or a week’s discussion across the media.
We know we’re getting good when they all start moaning about us.
Enjoy, Holics !
funny stuff, trev. your first paragraph has some gold in there 🙂
i don’t have a clue who’s going to play, but your lineup looks likely. i think marquinhos over nelson, and switch sides for marquinhos and esr. otherwise spot on.
it’s getting to the point where we can sing “chelsea get battered…” and that’s just fine by me.
Multiple 🤣’s
Thanks Trev for a highly entertaining and informative preview.
Quality preview, Trev. Haven’t been to the new ground but went to the old one back in the 80s as a guest of a college mate of mine whose dad was a Director. Really nice, homely club. Fortunately the Bouncing Cheque, the then owner, wasn’t in the lounge that day. Reckon we’ll see Elneny for Xhaka but other than that your team looks most likely. My mate is very, very downbeat about their chances and says they are pretty woeful. Famous last words…..
My lawyers have examined your preview Trev on the grounds that it defames me. Unfortunately their contention that I am old and traditional ( although we’ve stopped the bagpipes before dinner ) are reasonable and the suggestion that I am wealthy is clearly meant in jest – so I can’t sue you .
Defamation aside it’s a fine preview . I’ve done a piece in the Gooner on the 1963 Cup tie which was oft-postponed because of the big freeze . It was eventually played in midweek on a pitch that looked like the Cresta Run , in front of just under 15,000 of what they refer to in football terms as ‘ hardy souls’. Another term is ‘nutters’ .
Highbury in the snow before under-soil heating was a forlorn place . I agree that Elneny will step up and ESR will start from the bench . Today’s less than friendly draw makes it less likely we will risk anyone but I think we should grab a 2-0 win .
One final point – Oxford in the top flight had some useful players like Aldridge and Houghton and I suspect they will prove obdurate opponents but we should prevail
A much-enjoyed preview, Trev. Well up to your usual high standard.
I hope there isn’t a decent film on at the Virgin Vue cinema on Monday night as it shares the car park with the Kassim.
Amusing and entertaining preview Trev! Thank you.
Loved the last few paragraphs.
We will play in the all-white kits for the “no more red” campaign against the knife crimes in UK, just like last year’s third round match. Great effort by the club to raise awareness, as always.
Your team looks close. I think Reiss is still injured and ESR probably would not be risked from the whistle but will come on as a sub. I am expecting a frontline of Marquinhos-Nketiah-Vieira with captain Ødegaard starting in the midfield. Just a guess, have no great rationale…
It’s on ESPN+ here in US.
Come on Arsenal!
Thanks Trev for a fun read. Good to know Mssrs Sue, Grabbit and Runne won’t be coming for our pocket money TTG😃
Thanks Trev
And our reward for winning will be a trip to Citeh in the next round!
3-0
UTA.
Great preview Trev. I think your team is close but Cedric may play (as the move to Fulham is jeapordised by his wage demands) and Tomi may play CB. Xhaka needs to be rested and Elneny may play (can’t see Elneny going to Villa unless we have someone coming in) and as Dr F notes Nelson is still on the way back. It could be argued that, at this stage, Nketiah needs games so he may be the only first teamer to start though ESR may start from the bench and as you observe, I can’t see him playing much more than 45-60 minutes.
As I can’t see the benefit of a difficult fourth round tie at the Emptihad to our much more important PL campaign – the psychological effects of a defeat there could be debilitating – I wouldn’t be too distressed if we treated the FA Cup as a youth/reserve team competition this season.
Lovely preview Trev. I couldn’t disagree more with my colleague Bathgooner about treating the FA Cup as a youth/reserve competition. However I do see the need for rotating the squad who regularly sit on the bench for two reasons, firstly to keep them sharp and to keep the first XI fresh. A game against a league 1 team is ideal for that. My team for tonight:
Turner
Tomi
Holding
Gabriel
Tierney
Elneny
Xhaka
Vieira
Marquinhos
Eddie
ESR
Have the first teamers on the bench with Martinelli coming on for ESR maybe at half time.
Joao Felix loaned to Chelsea until end of season for €11m fee plus €6m wages.
Cheers Trev!
Cheers Esso !
Joao Felix – the Chelsea project appealed ! Oh yeah, what was that then – just excess Boehly dosh to scupper our offer. Chelsea project 🤣🤣🤣
https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1612525966345003237/photo/1
A lost-in-translation moment, probably, Trev. Joao Felix likely used ‘project’ in its ‘extend outwards’ meaning but as a mistranslation for ‘offer’: ‘The Chelsea offer appealed.’ I am sure it did. 🙂
Arsenal: Turner, Tomiyasu, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney, Elneny, Lokonga, Vieira, Saka, Martinelli, Nketiah
Subs: Hein, White, Zinchenko, Xhaka, Partey, Odegaard, Smith Rowe, Marquinhos, Butler-Oyedeji
ESR on bench
A stronger team than I would have expected, especially up front. Hein on the bench, not Ramsdale. Aaron rested or crocked? Good to see ESR back, even if starting on the bench.
Rested I would think Ned.
Wouldn’t want to risk No 1 and 2 keepers getting injured on the same evening.
This is terrible. It’s like we playing for a draw.
Well that was a pretty desperate half of football.
Unsurprisingly disjointed. Arteta should introduce the three midfielders to each of the forwards and give Vieira a transfusion from PV4.
Lokonga looks badly out of form.
Much better second half. Hate saying it but mostly after Lokanga went off.
Job done. Not very prettily, but done. Onwards to Oillands.
It is surprising how disjointedly our rotated teams play, given that these folk train together every day and get coached the same way.
Esso@24: Have to agree with you about Lokonga. He seems to have taken a step backwards this season.
Job done. Big drop off in the starting MF. Tomi and KT3 looking off their games as well.
As we already knew, our squad building is still a work in progress.
Our next three games are spuds, manure and shitteh then.
Good to see Eddie knocking in a couple and ESR back
Three great goals second half. Vieira stepped up. Eddie confirmed he’s a natural goal scorer. On to the Eitihad with 7551 away supporters. What did she wear????
Suggestions from multiple sources in Ukraine that Mudryk is nearly agreed – just tye structure of the deal to be finalised . We need to remember tye boy has not played for several weeks and has never played in the PL. He needs time to acclimatise . Sambi on the other hand is a bit Meh. I really don’t think he has the personality for that role in holding midfield
I like the look of Turner . He kept very cool for their one major chance
i don’t think straight holding midfielder is sam i’d best position. i think he’s a decent granit replacement, but maybe not with vieira and mo’neny in the lineup. he has good touch, turn, and some passing ability. not so much the defense, but with relative lightweights in there he has to play more in coverage.
that said, yes, he didn’t look as good as before. but time will tell.
C100,
She wore a yellow ribbon!
Be nice to have a decent FA Cup run this season though the dangers are obvious with the PL/EL and our relatively thin cover. Getting a result away in the 4th round would be a big confidence booster I think even if the actual teams will be largely different in the later league games. Of course, getting a whacking would be the opposite!
Hopefully, it will also be a chance to start a couple of our new January signings…..
Bit optimistic that I will admit.
Sambi clearly needs regular football via a loan but can’t get one unless we sign someone. I worry that he isn’t going to be much use to us in his current frame of mind and hope Edu can make it all happen.
Sambi is beginning to look a bit like AMN. Tons of physical skill but maybe not the mental aspects. I think ESR can definitely play the Xhaka role if necessary, provided he can stay injury free.
You draw an interesting parallel between Lokonga and AMN, ecg. It may be a Darwinian winnowing of those lacking the mental skills to succeed at elite levels.
I can see that it must be tough for a young man to adjust from playing every week to being unable to get a game, and immensely frustrating for those in their early twenties who will see friends and contemporaries enjoying the first flush of senior careers. Yet, that is the reality of life at a top club for many promising young players, whether they arrive on a transfer or come up through an academy. (It is also a reality for established internationals joining the mega-clubs; exhibit A: Grealish.)
Sports psychologists insist they can teach elite athletes the mental skills they need. I am sure the club pays attention to this, especially under Arteta, who reads a lot about psychology. When we signed Lokonga, Arteta said he liked the player’s intelligence and maturity (and, like scruz, saw a player in there, as do I). There is no doubt that those qualities are being tested.
Sambi may need a Saliba- or Balogun-like loan, as OM suggests above, not to put him in the shop window, which, I assume, was the intention with AMN, who doesn’t seem to have the same innate maturity, but to re-establish his long-term goals at the club and the club’s commitment to him.
I learnt this afternoon that we are able to recall Balogun and Patino in January . I’m not sure Charlie is quite ready for PL football but if we did need another striker ( if Jesus has a setback or Eddie gets injured) we would be hard-pressed to get a better young striker at short notice
21CG’s match report is with the techies.
Balogun highlights:
>>>>>>>