FA Cup: Arsenal 2 - 1 Huddersfield Town: Way Too Close

Samir Nasri got hurt. EVERYONE PANIC! Pic via Guardian.

Arsenal 2: P. Clarke 21 (og), Fabregas 86 (pen)

Huddersfield Town 1: Lee 66

So, there we were. Ridiculously early on a Sunday morning. It was the 85th minute, it wasn't even 9:00 a.m. in New York, and Arsenal were five minutes plus added time away from needing a replay against League One Huddersfield Town. The Gunners' B team, on ten men, not only could not put the Terriers away, but at times looked dangerously close to crashing out. And yet again, in the FA Cup at home against lower level competition, Arsenal managed to find a get out of jail free card. And..... exhale.

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes were obviously necessary again because of Arsenal's jam packed fixtures list. The Gunners will host Everton at the Emirates tomorrow, making this FA Cup tie the first match of two in about 60 hours. Manuel Almunia returned, thanks to rest for Szczesny and Fabianski's shoulder injury. Sebastien Squillaci returned to center back, playing along with Laurent Koscielny and giving Djourou a rest. Sagna and Clichy dropped to the bench for Emmanuel Eboue and Kieran Gibbs, as expected. Abou Diaby returned from injury to start in a holding role with Denilson. Samir Nasri started in the middle with the captain's armband, joined by Andrei Arshavin, Nicklas Bendtner, and Marouane Chamakh. So, in total, two members of the normal starting XI got the start.

Arsenal had a few chances early to take the lead, but with them being taken by Arshavin and Bendtner, they did not come to anything. Bendtner, in fact, had one absolutely terrible miss when he attempted to one-time a volley shot, but missed the ball completely, much to the delight of the traveling Huddersfield support. He did, however, shut them up a few moments later. He struck a low drive to the corner of the net that would have gone wide, but a favorable deflection and a Huddersfield own goal later, it was 1-0 to the Arsenal.

The problem is, Arsenal got a little too comfortable with that lead immediately afterward. This problem became even worse when Samir Nasri picked up a hamstring injury and had to be replaced by Tomas Rosicky. Nasri will be out for at least two weeks, so everyone hold your breath for the next three league matches. Just before halftime, Arsenal found themselves in even more trouble when Sebastien Squillaci was caught keeping too high of a line and obstructed the path of Huddersfield's Jack Hunt, who was through on goal. Straight red card all the way.

Squillaci's red card meant Alex Song had to come off the bench to play at center half and Arsene Wenger went defensive, pulling off Chamakh. Through the second half, you could tell Huddersfield's equalizer was coming. It arrived in the 66th minute, shortly after a brilliant diving save from Almunia had kept the lead intact. The Terriers won a corner and it was 6'3" Alan Lee who won the header in the box. So, it was time to bring on the big guns, and Cesc Fabregas came off the bench for Diaby.

The tie was in the balance, Arsenal settled a little, but play still went back and forth. Did Arsenal have a winner in them? Turns out, yes they did, thanks to more help from the penalty spot. Nicklas Bendtner was hauled down in the box by Jamie McCombe (who should have been sent off) and Mark Clattenburg pointed to the spot. Cesc Fabregas stepped up, stutter-stepped twice, and sent Ian Bennett the wrong way. Arsenal were back on top with four minutes of regular time to play, then held on for the win.

All in all, another unnecessarily stressful match caused by the apparent lack of cohesion in the back-up squad. They are an individually talented squad that just doesn't get the chance to find form due to a lack of playing time. Their reward for sneaking by Huddersfield is a London derby with Leyton Orient. Let's pray Nasri gets well soon and that Arsenal can back to doing their thing in the league.

Preview: Arsenal v. Huddersfield Town, FA Cup 4th Round

On-loan Benik Afobe has extended his stay with Town for the rest of the season.
Pic via Sky Sports.

Emirates Stadium, London

Sunday, January 30

12:00 p.m. GMT, 7:00 a.m. EST

• Referee: Mark Clattenburg
• Last League Match: Arsenal 1 - 0 Huddersfield Town (January 22, 1972)
• All-Time in All Competitions: 32 Arsenal wins, 16 Huddersfield wins, 25 draws
• All-Time in FA Cup: 2 Arsenal wins, 0 Huddersfield wins, 0 draws
• Arsenal's Premier League Form: W-D-W-D-W-W
• Huddersfield's League One Form: L-D-W-W-W-D

Predicted Line-Up

almost all guesswork

Szczesny

Eboue - Squillaci - Song - Gibbs

Denilson - Diaby

Bendtner - Rosicky - Arshavin

Chamakh

I have no intention of guessing the bench for this one.
Doubts: Almunia (ankle), Rosicky (illness)

Out: Sagna (concussion), Fabianski (shoulder), Vermaelen (Achilles)

Arsenal News and Notes

• Sebastien Squillaci (hamstring) and Abou Diaby (calf) are expected to return to the side.
• Alex Song was rested during the week, meaning his ability to shift to center back in addition to Squillaci's return could finally give a rest to both Koscielny and Djourou.
• Bacary Sagna is out of the hospital and, despite his concussion, will likely start vs. Everton on Tuesday.
• There are possible returns for Tomas Rosicky (illness) and even Manuel Almunia ("ankle".)
• Wow, I included a lot of rotation in that predicted line-up... But, our B Team can surely beat a League One side at home, right? Right?!? Also, Arsenal plays a league match on Tuesday, so there'll be a lot of resting.
• Arsenal have won four straight across all competitions and have scored three goals in each of those matches.
• The Gunners are unbeaten in eight matches at the Emirates, after losing three of their first nine at home.
• Arsenal are on their fourth four match winning streak of the season. They have reached five straight wins just once.

Huddersfield Town News and Notes

• Benik Afobe, on loan from Arsenal, is not eligible to play (says Arsenal) or is eligible to play (says Huddersfield.) So, I have no idea. Sanchez Watt was given permission to play for Leeds, so I can't see why Afobe wouldn't as well.
• Top scorer Jordan Rhodes damaged knee ligaments in Town's 0-0 draw with Colchester United at the weekend, and is out for eight weeks.
• Also out are Damien Johnson (knee), Alex Smithies (knee), Liam Ridehalgh (mono), and Gary Naysmith (foot.)
• The Terriers are unbeaten in five league fixtures, but suffered a hard 4-0 loss to Carlisle in the first round of the Northern section Final of the League Trophy on January 18.

The disconcerting image of the Graf Zeppelin
above Wembley in the 1930 final.

Match Facts

• Arsenal beat Huddersfield Town 2-0 in the 1930 FA Cup Final. Arsenal also beat Huddersfield 1-0 in the FA Cup two years later. This is their first FA Cup meeting since.
• Huddersfield Town's last season in the top flight was 1971/72. Arsenal won both fixtures that season 1-0.
• The Gunners and Terriers have played three League Cup ties since their last league meeting. Arsenal won 1-0 in 1982, 3-1 on aggregate in 1986, and 6-1 on aggregate in 1993.
• Huddersfield's last win in North London was in 1954, winning 5-3 at Highbury.

The Referee

• The referee is Tyne & Wear-based Mark Clattenburg.
• Clattenburg has taken charge of three Arsenal matches this year, all big wins for the Gunners: 3-0 at Manchester City, 4-2 at Aston Villa, and 3-1 against Chelsea.
• Clattenburg's last Huddersfield Town match was on April 9, 2007 in League One. Huddersfield lost at home, 2-0 to Blackpool. Blackpool's goalkeeper in that match was on-loan Joe Hart.
• In 25 matches this year (18 Premier League, 2 League Cup, 1 FA Cup, 2 Europa League, 1 Champions League, and 1 Euro qualifier,) Clattenburg has shown 68 yellow cards and 3 red cards.

Other Fourth Round Ties

• Saturday: Everton v. Chelsea; Goodison Park, Liverpool
• Saturday: Swansea City v. Leyton Orient; Liberty Stadium, Swansea
• Saturday: Aston Villa v. Blackburn Rovers; Villa Park, Birmingham
• Saturday: Birmingham City v. Coventry City; St. Andrew's, Birmingham
• Saturday: Bolton Wanderers v. Wigan Athletic; Reebok Stadium, Bolton
• Saturday: Burnley v. Burton Albion; Turf Moor, Burnley
• Saturday: Sheffield Wednesday v. Hereford United; Hillsborough Stadium, Sheffield
• Saturday: Stevenage v. Reading; Broadhall Way, Stevenage
• Saturday: Torquay United v. Crawley Town; Plainmoor, Torquay
• Saturday: Watford v. Brighton & Hove Albion; Vicarage Road, Watford
• Saturday: Southampton v. Manchester United; St. Mary's Stadium, Southampton
• Sunday: Wolverhampton Wanderers v. Stoke City; Molineux, Wolverhampton
• Sunday: Notts County v. Manchester City; Meadow Lane, Nottingham
• Sunday: West Ham United v. Nottingham Forest; Boleyn Ground, London
• Sunday: Fulham v. Tottenham Hotspur; Craven Cottage, London

Carling Cup: Arsenal 3 - 0 Ipswich Town, 3-1 aggregate: She Wore a Yellow Ribbon

We're going to Wemberley. Que sera sera. Pic via Daily Mail.

Arsenal 3: Bendtner 61, Koscielny 64, Fabregas 77
Ipswich Town 0
Arsenal wins 3-1 on aggregate

This time yesterday, Arsenal was 90 (or 120) minutes away from either their first trip to a cup final since 2007 or a more heart-wrenching result. A poor first leg trip to Ipswich meant the Tractor Boys had nicked the lead in the tie, with every intention of "parking the bus" and stifling the Arsenal attack. For 150 minutes in this two-legged tie, Ipswich kept the door shut on Arsenal's potent office. Then, finally, the door broke down, Ipswich crumbled, and we're going to Wembley.

The good news (yes, I consider it good news) was that there was not very much rotation in the squad. Robin van Persie started. Cesc Fabregas started. Jack Wilshere started. The normal back four started. There were, in fact, only three changes to the side that beat Wigan at the weekend. Alex Song dropped to the bench for Denilson, while Samir Nasri and Theo Walcott dropped from the wings for Nicklas Bendtner and Andrei Arshavin.

Arsenal had a number of chances in the first half to bring the tie back to level terms by picking up the first goal, but could not sneak anything past Marton Fulop. Robin van Persie volleyed a deflected Bacary Sagna cross wide of the mark. Cesc Fabregas fired a shot straight at Fulop's chest. RVP, setting up for a header similar to the goal he scored last midweek at Leeds, nodded off the crossbar. A Fabregas shot later in the half rolled harmlessly across the goalmouth and wide on the other side. The goal just wasn't coming. Fabregas tried to draw a penalty in the 10th minute as well, but nothing was doing as it was a pretty clear dive.

Some bad news in the 13th minute, even if you're not triskaidekaphobic, as on a set piece Wojciech Szczesny and Bacary Sagna had a clash of heads, leaving both down for the count on the pitch. While the goalkeeper stayed on, Sagna could not continue and was replaced by Emmanuel Eboue. It's a concussion for the right back, who had to be taken to the hospital. He was not going to play on Sunday against Huddersfield Town anyway, but here's to hoping for a quick recovery.

Through fifteen minutes after the restart, it still looked like Arsenal's goal just wasn't coming and all of those thoughts about having not won a trophy in almost six years started to come back. Then, just at the hour mark, Jack Wilshere, who was solid all day, played a lovely diagonal ball to Nicklas Bendtner who raced forward, then cut back around the defender, and fired a perfectly placed shot to the far corner. Arsenal were on the board, the tie was level, and Bendtner has the habit of really shutting me up about him (but only occasionally, so he should try to do that more.)

So, the momentum had swung back in Arsenal's direction, and three minutes later, they pulled ahead in the tie. Andrei Arshavin's corner floated into the box, and instead of Arsenal losing out on the ball in the air as they tend to sometimes, Laurent Koscielny launched forward and beat Fulop to the ball, thundering a header to the back of the net. It was Koscielny's first goal in forever (I want to say Bolton in September but could be wrong,) but more importantly, it meant Arsenal had one foot in Wembley, up 2-1 on aggregate on 64 minutes. On 77 minutes, Arsenal sealed the deal. Denilson won the ball in midfield (that's not a typo) and Fabregas played a great one-two with Arshavin to the sneak the ball through Fulop's legs, giving Arsenal a 3-1 lead on aggregate. Andrei Arshavin may be out of form and may still make a number of errors we're not used to him making, but he can still be clinical at times, and certainly was here.

This is actually going to be Arsenal's first trip to the new Wembley Stadium. Their last cup final, in 2007, and their last cup win, in 2005, came at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. Arsene Wenger said last year that the Carling Cup was a trophy not worthy of a parade (after Manchester City's regular starting line-up beat half of Arsenal's reserves) but the trophy drought needs to end. And, I'm sure you can't hear this enough, winning this cup in 1987 was considered the springboard to winning the league in 1989. Knock the tournament all you like, Arsenal has beaten some talented sides to get this far, and need to prove to themselves that they can win something. They're 90 minutes away.

Preview: Arsenal v. Ipswich Town, Carling Cup Semi-Final, Second Leg

Will the Diminutive Russian start tonight? Will he find his form again? Pic via Guardian.

Emirates Stadium, London

Tuesday, January 25

7:45 p.m. GMT, 2:45 p.m. EST
Ipswich Town leads 1-0

• Referee: Mark Halsey
• All-Time in All Competitions: 29 Arsenal wins, 18 Ipswich wins, 11 draws
• All-Time in League Cup: 1 Arsenal win, 2 Ipswich wins, 1 draw
• Arsenal's Premier League Form: W-D-W-D-W-W
• Ipswich's Championship Form: L-W-D-L-L-W

Predicted Line-Up

mostly guesses

Szczesny

Eboue - Koscielny - Djourou - Gibbs

Song - Wilshere

Nasri - Fabregas - Arshavin

Chamakh

Subs from: Shea, Sagna, Clichy, Denilson, Walcott, Bendtner, van Persie

Out: Fabianski (shoulder), Rosicky (illness), Squillaci (hamstring), Diaby (calf), Almunia (ankle), Vermaelen (Achilles)

Arsenal News and Notes

• So, how much rotation?
• Full backs: I would not be shocked if both Sagna and Clichy were rested.
• Center backs: Looks like Koscielny and Djourou again, out of necessity. Squillaci returns to training this week and should play in the FA Cup Sunday.
• Holding midfield: I've listed both Song and Wilshere to start, but I know that's wishful thinking. You just know Denilson will play. Abou Diaby could also return Sunday.
• Attacking midfield: If Arsenal wants to control the creative flow, I think both Fabregas and Nasri should start. Drop Bendtner from the starting forwards from the Leeds match last week. More wishful thinking?
• Center forward: Tough call; I think Chamakh will start with van Persie the possibly necessary impact substitute.
• Arsenal have kept clean sheets in every league match played in 2011, but have allowed one goal in each cup match against Championship sides (Leeds twice and Ipswich in the first leg.)
• Since losing at Ipswich, Arsenal have won three straight, scoring three in each of those matches. Robin van Persie has six of those goals. Samir Nasri, Theo Walcott, and Bacary Sagna have the other three.

Ipswich News and Notes

• Ipswich Town have no fresh injury concerns, but midfielder Lee Martin is cup-tied.
• Ipswich have not won a domestic trophy since the 1978 FA Cup, when they beat Arsenal.
• The Tractor Boys took a 1-0 lead into the second leg of the League Cup Semi-Final in 2001 against Birmingham City. They went down 1-0 in the second leg, forcing extra time, where they lost 4-1, 4-2 on aggregate.
• Ipswich have not won in six road competitive fixtures. They only need a draw today to reach Wembley.

Match Facts

• Tamas Priskin had the 78th minute goal to give Ipswich the 1-0 lead after the first leg.
• Arsenal have reached this stage of the League Cup 14 times, but have advanced to the Final only six times and have won it only twice (1987 against Liverpool and 1993 against Sheffield Wednesday.)
• Arsenal beat Ipswich twice by 2-0 scores during Town's last year in the top flight, 2001/02.

The Referee

• The referee is Lancashire-based Mark Halsey.
• Halsey's only prior Arsenal match this year was the 2-0 win at Wolves. Arsenal could really use a goal within 40 seconds in this one, as Marouane Chamakh had at Molineux in November.
• Halsey's last Ipswich Town match came in an FA Cup tie, on January 5, 2008. Ipswich were down to ten men in 24 minutes and lost at home to Portsmouth 1-0.

Around the League

• Tuesday, League: Blackpool v. Manchester United; Bloomfield Road, Blackpool
• Tuesday, League: Wigan Athletic v. Aston Villa; DW Stadium, Wigan
• Wednesday, Carling Cup: Birmingham City v. West Ham United; St. Andrew's, Birmingham (West Ham leads 2-1)
• Wednesday, League: Liverpool v. Fulham; Anfield, Liverpool

Arsenal 3 - 0 Wigan Athletic: He Comes from Rotterdam

I wish they threw hats on the field, like in hockey. Pic via Daily Mail.

Arsenal 3: van Persie 21, 58, 85

Wigan Athletic 0

Due to some of the performances we've seen from this team this season, it always feels like it's a question of "which Arsenal team is going to show up this time?" Then again, this is probably the first time all season that the Gunners have a starting XI that are clicking as a unit and are playing a fantastic run of football. It's a run of form that you hope lasts forever, like something you're really careful around so as to not ruin it. On Saturday, Arsenal continued their dominant run of form with a one-sided thrashing of Wigan Athletic that could not have been more satisfying. And thanks to City's loss at Villa, Arsenal slip back up into second place, though they remain still two points back and a game behind.

It was Arsenal's A Team outfield ten that were at it again in this match. Wojciech Szczeny continued his run in goal over the injured Lukasz Fabianski. The outfield ten were the same as they have been for five of the last six Premier League matches, with Sagna and Clichy at full back, Koscielny and Djourou at center back, Song and Wilshere in the middle, Fabregas as the playmaker, Nasri on the left wing, Walcott on the right, and van Persie up top.

For the record, I'd like this side to start Tuesday too, in the League Cup semi-final second leg, because it's a must win. If Arsene Wenger wants to rotate, do it Sunday against Huddersfield Town. That's wishful thinking though, I'm sure there'll be some changes on Tuesday. I just hope it's no more than three or four.

Arsenal were flying from the start and Wigan had no answer for Arsenal's control of the ball in midfield. They did, however, have an answer in goal for all of Arsenal's early pressure in Ali Al-Habsi. The Omani goalkeeper, on loan from Bolton, was brilliant in keeping Arsenal off the board in the early going, making a few world class saves to keep a clean sheet going through twenty minutes. Al-Habsi made save after save against the likes of Fabregas, van Persie, Walcott, and Nasri that it started to feel like the draw with City did earlier this month. Waste too many chances and you could find yourself playing out a frustrating 0-0.

But, in the 21st minute, Arsenal got on the board after the Dutchman broke Wigan's offside trap and proceeded forward one-on-one with Al-Habsi, then pounded a left footed shot through the goalkeeper's legs. Arsenal deserved the goal and it had been coming. They just could not get a second before halftime. The most frustrating moment came with Walcott clear through on goal before he elected to pass it off to Fabregas instead of shooting, giving Wigan's defense just enough time to track back and tackle the Spaniard to win the ball back.

We at the pub talked at halftime about the obviousness of needing that second goal, pretty much deciding that if it didn't come by the 50th or 55th minute, the match would stay a little too nerve wracking. We've seen Wigan pull back goals against us before quite late in matches, and recently to boot. And when Wigan came out for the second half, making two substitutions, it looked like they might have had an equalizer in them. Maybe for about ten minutes... In the 58th, Arsenal scored that second goal, and boy, was it a brilliant one. Cesc Fabregas floated an over the top ball into the box which was met clinically by the left boot of van Persie, who thundered a volley into the roof of the net. Absolute top class goal and Arsenal had their second just before the hour mark.

Now, it was time to start thinking about getting RVP his first hat trick in England. He had scored twice in matches nine times, but the hat trick had always eluded hime. It finally looked like it was coming when Gary Caldwell conceded a penalty by taking down Fabregas in the box in the 69th, being sent off for a professional foul in the process. Wigan claimed the call was harsh and that Fabregas dived; I thought there was contact, but it wasn't a clear cut call. van Persie stepped up for the spot kick, with the perfect chance to pick up the hat trick, then fired it high over the bar and into Row Z.

We then joked, "he just wants to score a fancier goal for the hat trick later." Then, he pretty much did. The hat trick finally came for van Persie in the 85th. Fabregas's through ball found Theo Walcott, who possessed around the goalkeeper for just long enough to allow van Persie the chance to fire it home with his right foot. Hat trick complete. Three-nil to the Arsenal.

Since their loss at Ipswich, Arsenal have scored three goals in each of their last three matches, and Robin van Persie has scored six of those nine goals. Arsenal have kept four straight clean sheets in league play. An in-form van Persie playing in front of an in-form Cesc Fabregas is a dream situation for Arsenal to be in, the type that is starting to look like it can bring glory back to the good, red parts of North London very soon.

On that note, this team is a goal down, but 90 minutes away from a Wembley final. Ipswich may want to park the bus in front of the goal and sit on that lead, but there's a difference between Ipswich parking the bus and a side like Manchester City parking the bus. With the right, in-form line-up on the pitch Tuesday, Arsenal should have the creativity, quality, and skill to force that bus into a number of defensive errors. This team is so close to getting somewhere, they just can't start to falter again. I can't wait until the day I'm finally capable of setting those doubts aside in my mind.

Hipster Gooner Man of the Match: Robin van Persie

Preview: Arsenal v. Wigan Athletic

Arsenal has played Wigan so much in the past two months, I've exhausted the pictures to use.
So, here's Gunnersaurus. Enjoy! Free use image via Wikipedia.

Emirates Stadium, London

Saturday, January 22

3:00 p.m. GMT, 10:00 a.m. EST

• Referee: Kevin Friend
• This Match, Last Year: Arsenal 4 - 0 Wigan
• Reverse Fixture: Wigan 2 - 2 Arsenal
• All-Time in All Competitions: 11 Arsenal wins, 2 Wigan wins, 2 draws
• Arsenal's Recent Form: L-W-D-W-D-W
• Wigan's Recent Form: D-W-D-L-D-D

Predicted Line-Up

guesses in red

Szczesny

Sagna - Koscielny - Djourou - Clichy

Song - Wilshere

Walcott - Fabregas - Nasri

van Persie

Subs from: Shea, Gibbs, Eboue, Denilson, Arshavin, Bendtner, Chamakh

Out: Fabianski (shoulder), Squillaci (hamstring), Diaby (calf), Almunia (ankle), Vermaelen (Achilles)

Arsenal News and Notes

• With no new injuries to the main starting XI, why assume there'll be changes? Though, I'm not positive how many times Arsene Wenger will keep starting Johan Djourou consecutively.
• Denilson (hip) and Marouane Chamakh (knee) picked up knocks in the midweek win at Leeds, but are expected to recover for Saturday.
• Abou Diaby and Sebastien Squillaci remain a week away from returning from their respective injuries.
• Apparently, Lukasz Fabianski's shoulder injury now "requires patience." I'm thus far quite satisfied with Wojciech Szczesny's deputizing, aren't you?
• Thomas Vermaelen will return in six weeks, after a procedure to remove an injured tendon that apparently some people don't even have, or something.
• Manuel Almunia? Anybody?
• Arsenal have won two straight and have lost once in their last eight across all competitions; they are unbeaten in five in the league, with two draws.
• Arsenal have not lost at home since that early morning we're not going to speak about again.

Wigan News and Notes

• Victor Moses has returned to training as of yesterday, but will not be back until next month. Moses injured his shoulder in the Carling Cup against Arsenal.
• Wigan will likely be without Tom Cleverley (hamstring) and Franco Di Santo (ankle) as well.
• Despite facing a battle against relegation, Wigan Athletic under Roberto Martinez is not the type of side that plays negative football. Wigan tends to play a strict 4-5-1 formation with Hugo Rodallega as the center forward.
• Wigan, like Arsenal have only lost once in their last eight competitive fixtures, but they have drawn five of them. Their only loss in this stretch was a 1-0 home defeat to Newcastle.
• Wigan is even on points with Aston Villa, but sit in 18th place, and thus, the drop zone, because the Latics have scored five fewer goals. They are even on points and goal difference.

Match Facts

• Wigan have never picked up a point at the Emirates, but they did knock Arsenal out of the Carling Cup in 2006 on away goals, despite losing the match itself.
• In late November, Arsenal beat Wigan 2-0 at the Emirates to knock the Latics out of the Carling Cup. Antolin Alcaraz gave Arsenal an own goal before Nicklas Bendtner sealed the win.
• Wigan used a late equalizer from a Squillaci own goal to steal a point from Arsenal at the DW Stadium in late December. Arshavin and Bendtner had Arsenal's goals.
• Last year, Arsenal beat Wigan 4-0 in league play at home. Vermaelen had a brace; Eduardo and Cesc Fabregas scored the others.

The Referee

• The referee is Leicestershire-based Kevin Friend.
• Last season was Friend's first in the top flight. He has split his time between the Premier League and Championship this year.
• This is the first time Friend will take charge of an Arsenal match. He is the third official to work his first Arsenal match this year after Stuart Atwell (4-1 win vs. Bolton) and Michael Oliver (3-2 loss to West Brom.)
• For Wigan, Friend has taken charge of their 2-0 win over Swansea in the League Cup, and their 2-1 loss at Blackburn in the league.
• In 19 games this year (8 Premier League, 8 Championship, 2 FA Cup, 1 League Cup,) Friend has shown 61 yellow cards and 3 red cards.

Around the League

• These are the reverse fixtures of those played December 28-29.
• Saturday: Wolverhampton Wanderers v. Liverpool; Molineux, Wolverhampton
• Saturday: Blackpool v. Sunderland; Bloomfield Road, Blackpool
• Saturday: Everton v. West Ham United; Goodison Park, Liverpool
• Saturday: Fulham v. Stoke City; Craven Cottage, London
• Saturday: Manchester United v. Birmingham City; Old Trafford, Manchester
• Saturday: Newcastle United v. Tottenham Hotspur; St. James' Park, Newcastle upon Tyne
• Saturday: Aston Villa v. Manchester City; Villa Park, Birmingham
• Sunday: Blackburn Rovers v. West Bromwich Albion; Ewood Park, Blackburn
• Monday: Bolton Wanderers v. Chelsea; Reebok Stadium, Bolton

FA Cup: Leeds 1 - 3 Arsenal: Leeds Will March on Together, Just Not in the Cup

So... is Arsenal just not wearing red anymore? Pic via Guardian.

Leeds United 1: Johnson 37

Arsenal 3: Nasri 5, Sagna 35, van Persie 76

Arsenal needed to use a get out of jail free card at the Emirates just to force this replay, but at Elland Road yesterday, they'll be satisfied that they never trailed against a Leeds side that is building momentum for a promotion push back to the top flight. After a difficult 1-1 draw against Leeds was followed by an abysmal performance in Ipswich, there were questions starting to surround some of the side. Arsenal seems to always find answers to those questions; it's just that they always reappear once people have stopped asking them. It's crucial, therefore, for the Gunners to continue their form from the last two matches going forward.

There were not many surprises in the starting XI, though the forward corps was a bit weaker than I would have liked (a moot point now, really.) Wojciech Szczesny continued deputizing for the injured Lukasz Fabianski in goal. Bacary Sagna returned from suspension to start at right back. Laurent Koscielny and Johan Djourou started at center half, despite articles on Tuesday night that Djourou might be rested. Kieran Gibbs got the start at left back. Alex Song and Denilson started in the holding roles as Jack Wilshere dropped to the bench. Samir Nasri started his first cup tie for a while and wore the captain's armband. He started in the forward four with Andrei Arshavin, Nicklas Bendtner, and Marouane Chamakh. The bench was strong, including the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Theo Walcott, and Robin van Persie.

Arsenal needed a strong start to cast away any doubts that could spring into their heads. A strong start on Saturday, with van Persie scoring in the 13th minute at West Ham meant Arsenal controlled the play from there, and this time around, the goal came even earlier. In the 5th minute, Arshavin's pass to the center caught a little flick from Chamakh into the path of Nasri, who was through on goal and coolly finished past Kasper Schmeichel to put Arsene Wenger's gold and redcurrant army ahead 1-0. The Gunners almost grabbed a second around five minutes later, as a free kick from Nasri found Chamakh's head in the box, but Schmeichel made a fantastic save. Ten minutes later, Arshavin had a total miss from in close after a set-up from the Moroccan.

Na-na Na-na Na-na Na-na Na Na-na! Pic via Daily Mail.

But, Arsenal would find their second goal in the 35th. Bendtner, in the box, opted to pass back into open space to find Sagna. Sagna dribbled the ball in closer, then pounded a shot off Schmeichel's hands and in for his second goal of the year. Seriously, Sagna has two goals this year, three if you count a similar goal he scored in a friendly (you shouldn't.) Also, I love how Sagna celebrates his goals, as they're such a rare occasion. He tends to just sprint away, just running and yelling. It's awesome.

If you thought Sagna's goal was a laser beam of a shot, then Leeds's Bradley Johnson won the game of one-upmanship two minutes later. Johnson fired an absolutely unstoppable rocket shot into the roof of the net from 25 yards out. Szczesny had no chance, Leeds had pulled one back, and the tie was in the balance again. It was a truly beautiful goal, which I can say now, since Arsenal won.

So, Arsenal needed another to feel a little more comfortable. A handful of seconds after the restart, Alex Song had a chance for Arsenal's third, but his shot was a bit off the mark and Schmeichel saved. Ten minutes later, Robert Snodgrass, Leeds's goal scorer at the Emirates, had a goal saving tackle on an Arshavin chance. With twenty minutes to play, Arsenal upped the ante, bringing on Fabregas and van Persie.

14 minutes from time, Arsenal finally had their third, and it was the Dutchman off the bench who provided it. Bendtner found van Persie with a cross from the right wing at the back post and, with the Leeds defense slightly asleep, RVP headed the ball in comfortably to make it 3-1 to the good. From this point on, it was a coasting effort from Arsenal. Gael Clichy relieved Nasri about six minutes from time, pushing Gibbs up the pitch a bit. Leeds had a chance for a second from a corner just around the start of injury time and could not convert, even with all eleven men in the box. In the end, a thoroughly satisfying win for the side that continues to baffle me by wearing yellow against non-red opponents.

The Gunners escaped from jail at the Emirates a week and a half ago, then deserved to win this one at Elland Road, and their reward is a fourth round tie at home with League One Huddersfield Town, another side that currently has an Arsenal player there on loan; this time, Benik Afobe (I think his loan has been extended for the season, otherwise it would have ended January 8.) Arsenal remains the only English team still alive in all four of their competitions. But, with that in mind, another league fixture is coming up just around the bend, with Wigan coming to the Emirates on Saturday. This has seemed to be a team all year that crumbles when the title challenge talk returns. So, do me a favor and shut up about it, okay media?

Hipster Gooner Man of the Match: Samir Nasri

Preview: Leeds United v. Arsenal, FA Cup 3rd Round Replay

Wojciech Szczesny will make his fourth straight start. Pic via Daily Mail.

Elland Road, Leeds

Wednesday, January 19

8:00 p.m. GMT, 3:00 p.m. EST

• Referee: Mike Dean
• Original Tie: Arsenal 1 - 1 Leeds United
• All-Time in All Competitions: 44 Arsenal wins, 41 Leeds wins, 32 draws
• All-Time in FA Cup: 5 Arsenal wins, 2 Leeds wins, 7 draws
• Arsenal's Premier League Form: L-W-D-W-D-W
• Leeds's Championship Form: W-D-D-D-L-W
• Winner in 4th Rd.: v. Huddersfield Town on Sunday, January 30 (Noon GMT, 7:00 a.m. Eastern)

Rotation?

There's such potential for changes in Arsenal's side for this match, that I'm going to tackle this position-by-position, instead of going with the normal predicted line-up format:

Goalkeeper: Lukasz Fabianski suffered a set back in recovery from his shoulder injury, so Wojciech Szczesny will continue to deputize. Fabianski is not expected to be back until after the Carling Cup second leg with Ipswich, so he'll be back for the fourth round of the FA Cup at the earliest (should Arsenal win this match.) With Manuel Almunia still out, James Shea will remain on the bench. There's been a lot of media talk about how Szczesny will handle a sell-out crowd at Elland Road, which is only of concern if you forget that he was fine at Old Trafford last month.

Defense: Bacary Sagna returns from his three match ban, so I expect he'll start as Emmanuel Eboue will need a break. Sebastien Squillaci's return won't be until February and Thomas Vermaelen is undergoing a procedure on his Achilles that has put a 4-6 week timetable on his return, so Arsene Wenger's hands are tied at center back again: Laurent Koscielny and Johan Djourou will start. Maybe there'll be some rotation at left back as we could see Kieran Gibbs start over Gael Clichy.

Holding Midfield: Aaron Ramsey will return to the bench for this match, but I again don't think he'll start. Ramsey would likely have seen some amount of time against Leeds or against Ipswich if Arsenal were winning at any point. Since I'd expect one of either Alex Song or Jack Wilshere to be rested (more likely Wilshere, who started both matches last week,) that unfortunately will mean a start from Denilson. Abou Diaby maintained in a French interview that he'll be fit by this weekend, but Arsene Wenger said in his press conference that he's likely out for as long as Fabianski (that is, until the end of this month.)

Attacking Midfield: Here is where the most questions about rotation lie, as all three starters (Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri, and Theo Walcott) could drop to the bench for rest. Tomas Rosicky could return; according to the BBC, he's been out with a virus that I don't seem to recall anybody mentioning before. Nicklas Bendtner and Andrei Arshavin could get starts as well; I'd be totally shocked should Carlos Vela enter the starting XI. Since this match is must-win to advance, the more changes that are made here, the less comfortable I'm going to feel. All three usuals won't start, but I'd prefer there only be one change at most (which, if I had to choose, would be Walcott dropping since he, like Wilshere, started both matches last week.)

Forward: Robin van Persie is finding his form, but Marouane Chamakh has not started since the original tie with Leeds last Saturday. The Moroccan came off the bench at Ipswich and did not feature at West Ham. My gut instinct is to start RVP for the must-win cup ties and maybe give Chamakh a run-out at the weekend.

Other Arsenal Notes

• Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has been loaned to Cardiff City for the remainder of the season.
• Arsenal's win at West Ham on Saturday was their first win in four, however, the Gunners have only lost one of their last seven in all competitions.
• Arsene Wenger has never been bounced from the 3rd Round of the FA Cup in his career at Arsenal. Sheffield United were the last side to knock out Arsenal from this round, in 1995/96.

Leeds News and Notes

• Luciano Becchio is a doubt, after suffering a back injury against Scunthorpe this weekend.
• Defender George McCartney has joined Leeds on loan after the initial match, and as such, is cup tied.
• Sanchez Watt has again been granted permission to play against his parent club.
• Leeds's 4-0 win over Scunthorpe at the weekend was their first win in six.
• Leeds have not lost at Elland Road since late October and are unbeaten in seven home matches.

Match Facts

• Arsenal has required at least one replay at some point during their path to each of their 10 FA Cup titles.
• Arsenal had won three straight against Leeds before the 1-1 draw at the Emirates. Leeds's last win over Arsenal was 3-2 at Highbury in 2003.
• This is the eighth FA Cup tie between the two sides; Arsenal has won five of them.

The Referee

• The referee is Wirral-based Mike Dean.
• Over this season and last season, Arsenal has not won any of the six matches of which Dean has taken charge.
• Arsenal have not scored in a match worked by Dean since Cesc Fabregas's 7th minute goal at Burnley in what was eventually a 1-1 draw. Their opposition has kept a clean sheet in the last four. Excluding injury time, Arsenal has not scored in 443 minutes of playing time while Mike Dean is the head official.
• This is Dean's first Leeds match since a 1-1 draw with Luton Town in 2007/08.

Other Third Round Replays

• Tuesday: Wolverhampton Wanderers v. Doncaster Rovers; Molineux, Wolverhampton
• Tuesday: Manchester City v. Leicester City; City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester
• Tuesday: Cardiff City v. Stoke City; Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff

West Ham United 0 - 3 Arsenal: They're No Ipswich

Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott help get the Gunners back on track.

Pic via Daily Telegraph.

West Ham United 0
Arsenal 3: van Persie 13, 77 (pen), Walcott 41

Arsenal's month of cup ties seemed to have come at just the right time, at least, that's what I thought when the month started. The first team regulars were starting to play brilliant football as a unit, so it couldn't hurt to have the opportunity to rest those players a few times, and keep the bench match fit simultaneously, right?

But then things went south; the "B Team" wasn't winning those cup ties as the regulars rested. And suddenly, there could have been something off about the psyche of this team heading back into league play. And so, on Saturday, Arsenal found the right tonic, a league match against West Ham United, a team currently in such disarray that they could not even come close to the same fight Ipswich Town put up on Wednesday.

The starting XI was not particular surprising, and once again for a league match, was exactly as I predicted. Basically, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. The only changes from the side that started each of the last three league fixtures were required due to injury and suspension, with Wojciech Szczesny deputizing for the injured Lukasz Fabianski and Emmanuel Eboue starting again at right back, as Bacary Sagna served the end of his three match ban. In total, there were four changes from the side that lost at Ipswich midweek, with the returns of Gael Clichy, Alex Song, Samir Nasri, and Robin van Persie.

Arsenal started on the front foot and won a corner and a free kick during the first five minutes of play, but nothing came of it. West Ham had an opportunity to strike first within the first ten minutes as well, but a Zavon Hines square ball was cleared by Clichy for a subsequent corner that missed the mark.

Then, the miserable first match in a West Ham shirt for Wayne Bridge truly began. Bridge, who had fallen out of favor as left back at Manchester City, was signed by West Ham on a sixth month loan deal. I think this was only his second, at most, league start of the season. If you're not up to match fitness due to a lack of games, then having to control Theo Walcott's pace sounds like a nightmare, and for Bridge, it truly was. Bridge gave Walcott acres of space and time as he came down the right flank in the 13th minute, backing off and allowing Theo to send an uncontested cross into the box. Samir Nasri let the ball slip past him and it landed comfortably on the right boot of Robin van Persie, who fired it into the corner. Shambolic defending from West Ham and Arsenal had the quick lead they deserved.

Arsenal was frustrated for much of the first half in their attempt to pick up a second. Theo Walcott was through in the 18th but couldn't muster power behind his shot and Robert Green saved easily. West Ham's midfield got weaker in the 20th when Mark Noble went off injured. West Ham's best chance to pull level came in the 21st, as Johan Djourou scuffed a back pass to Szczesny. Carlton Cole pounced on the poor pass, but Szczesny saved, then Hines's rebound shot was fired high. Nasri had a shot saved in the 25th, Song had a shot blocked in the 27th, and van Persie hit the post in the 30th.

But, before halftime, Arsenal's second goal finally arrived. Wayne Bridge, covering Walcott, allowed van Persie to receive a chipped ball onside, then Bridge closed down on the Dutchman, leaving Walcott room to receive a cross in the six yard box. Bridge was goal side, but had no chance to block the pass, and Walcott tapped the ball into the roof of the goal.

One might think, game over at this point, but it was very fresh in my mind that Arsenal blew a 2-0 lead at Upton Park with only 16 minutes to play last season, so no 2-0 lead at West Ham will ever feel safe to me. Then again, West Ham came out lifeless in the second half this time, and much of the second period seemed to consist of everybody just going through the motions. In the 73rd minute, the camera panned to a number of Hammers fans fast asleep in their seats.

Then, Arsenal truly put the game away. Wayne Bridge's disastrous West Ham debut continued as he clipped Walcott in the box. Easy penalty call for Andre Marriner and Robin van Persie pounded the spot kick into the low corner, easily beating Robert Green who had guessed right. Arsenal then made their substitutions to rest some legs: Denilson on for Fabregas, Kieran Gibbs and Andrei Arshavin on for Walcott and Nasri. The trio did not make much of an impact.

All in all, a much needed win to correct Arsenal's mindset going into their FA Cup replay at Elland Road this week. The ship, once again, appears to have been righted, but I still fear a set back once the "B Team" gets a run out again.

Hipster Gooner Man of the Match: Robin van Persie

Preview: West Ham United v. Arsenal

Alessandro Diamanti is probably singing that stupid bubbles song...

Pic via Guardian.

Boleyn Ground, London

Saturday, January 15

5:30 p.m. GMT, 12:30 p.m. EST

• Referee: Andre Marriner
• This Match, Last Year: West Ham 2 - 2 Arsenal
• Reverse Fixture: Arsenal 1 - 0 West Ham
• All-Time in All Competitions: 53 Arsenal wins, 33 West Ham wins, 38 draws
• Arsenal's League Form: W-L-W-D-W-D
• West Ham's League Form: L-D-W-D-W-L

Predicted Line-Up

guesses in red

Szczesny

Eboue - Koscielny - Djourou - Clichy

Song - Wilshere

Walcott - Fabregas - Nasri

van Persie

Subs from: Shea, Gibbs, Denilson, Ramsey, Arshavin, Bendtner, Chamakh

Suspended: Sagna (third of three, violent conduct)

Doubtful: Denilson (thigh)

Out: Fabianski (shoulder), Squillaci (hamstring), Diaby (calf), Almunia (ankle), Vermaelen (Achilles)

Arsenal News and Notes

• Good news, everyone! Tests this week show that there is no long-term concern over Thomas Vermaelen's Achilles injury. This, of course, does not quite mean he is on his way back.
• Lukasz Fabianski is did not pass fit with a shoulder problem. Denilson is a doubt with a thigh problem, but I can't imagine him being anywhere near playing in this match, right? I hope.
• Sebastien Squillaci still needs about a week or two with his hamstring injury. Abou Diaby is still out a while with a calf problem. Manuel Almunia may never be seen again.
• This is the final match of Bacary Sagna's three match ban.
• Aside from Eboue over the banned Sagna and Szczesny in goal, I can't see why we wouldn't use the same starting XI that beat Chelsea and Birmingham but drew City.
• Arsenal have not won in three competitive fixtures, their longest winless streak of the season. Their last streak this long was last year when Gunners went winless in five from April to early May.
• Arsenal will wear their yellow change kit tomorrow, since West Ham wears claret. In 10 games this season wearing yellow, Arsenal have won just three, drawn three, and lost four, including Tuesday's Carling Cup tie at Ipswich.

West Ham News and Notes

• West Ham have just completed a six-month loan signing of Wayne Bridge from Manchester City, possibly so he can keep a better eye on where John Terry is in relation to his girlfriend. But, also because the Hammers were so light at left back that center half Matthew Upson played there on Tuesday.
• Victor Obinna will start a three match ban after being sent off on Tuesday.
• Players possibly returning from injury for the Hammers include Herita Ilunga (hamstring), Kieron Dyer (thigh), Benni McCarthy (calf), and Lars Jacobsen (heel).
• Longer term injuries include Jack Collison (knee), Manuel Da Costa (ankle), Thomas Hitzlsperger (thigh), and Peter Kurucz (knee).
• West Ham have won three of their four competitive fixtures in 2011, but the loss was a 5-0 drubbing at Newcastle last midweek.
• Three of West Ham's four league wins have come at home. In addition to beating relegation rivals Wolves and Wigan at Upton Park, the Hammers also beat Tottenham 1-0 in September.
• In league play, West Ham's goal difference is -2 at home and -14 away.

Match Facts

• West Ham struck in the 74th minute, then again on an 80th minute penalty to turn a 2-0 deficit into a 2-2 draw against Arsenal in this fixture last year.
• Arsenal returned the favor, using late goals from Eduardo and Aaron Ramsey to knock West Ham out of last year's FA Cup, 2-1, in January, the last match played between these two sides at Upton Park.
• Arsenal used an 88th minute winner from the head of Alex Song to win the reverse fixture on October 30.
• Arsenal's last league win at Upton Park was on October 26, 2008, 2-0, thanks to a Julien Faubert own goal and an injury time goal from Emmanuel Adebayor.
• West Ham's last win over Arsenal at home was in November of 2006, 1-0, with an 89th minute winner from Marlon Harewood.

The Referee

• The referee is West Midlands-based Andre Marriner.
• His name sounds like a soap opera character, doesn't it?
• Marriner has taken charge of just one Arsenal match this season, the 4-0 win at Newcastle in the Carling Cup's fourth round.
• By contrast, this will be his third match at Upton Park this year. Previously, he worked West Ham's 3-1 loss to Bolton and 1-1 draw with Fulham.
• In 19 games year (15 Premier League, 1 Championship, 1 League Cup, 1 FA Cup, and the Community Shield), Marriner has shown 68 yellow cards and 3 red cards.

Around the League

• Saturday: Chelsea v. Blackburn Rovers; Stamford Bridge, London
• Saturday: Manchester City v. Wolverhampton Wanderers; City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester
• Saturday: Stoke City v. Bolton Wanderers; Britannia Stadium, Stoke-on-Trent
• Saturday: West Bromwich Albion v. Blackpool; The Hawthorns, West Bromwich
• Saturday: Wigan Athletic v. Fulham; DW Stadium, Wigan
• Sunday: Birmingham City v. Aston Villa; St. Andrew's, Birmingham
• Sunday: Sunderland v. Newcastle United; Stadium of Light, Sunderland
• Sunday: Liverpool v. Everton; Anfield, Liverpool
• Sunday: Tottenham Hotspur v. Manchester United; White Hart Lane, London

Carling Cup: Ipswich Town 1 - 0 Arsenal: How Many Wake Up Calls?

Arsene Wenger is very disappointed in all of you. Pic via Daily Mail.

Ipswich Town 1: Priskin 78
Arsenal 0

Arsenal entered yesterday's Carling Cup Semi-Final at Ipswich Town likely thinking it would be a walk in the park. Their effort, in the end, was a mix of some complacency and a lack of sharpness. And as a result, Ipswich Town will go to the Emirates in two weeks with a deserved 1-0 lead in the tie. This is not acceptable, Gunners. To be fair, the majority of the credit in this result has to go to Ipswich Town for playing well and not to how poor Arsenal's performance seemed.

I don't think you can blame this loss on just complacency, though the mere fact that you ever can needs to be unacceptable as well. There are certainly players on this team who are giving 100% without getting results because of those who are not. And it doesn't help when the players who are giving it their all have a bad night simultaneously, as Cesc Fabregas did last night. And, Ipswich, on their night, took advantage.

Arsene Wenger made four changes to the side that needed a late lifeline to force a replay with Leeds United on Saturday, and somehow, I had nine of the starting XI right in my match preview (I think that's one of the only positives I had yesterday...) Laurent Koscielny returned for the injured Sebastien Squillaci in central defense. Jack Wilshere got the start over Alex Song in the midfield. And, Wenger recalled two big names in the attack as Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott started while Tomas Rosicky and Marouane Chamakh dropped to the bench. That move pushed Nicklas Bendtner to the central forward role (where he is slightly less useless but still fairly useless.)

Arsenal had a fantastic first... three minutes or so, and looked like they had about three chances to take a 1-0 lead in the first 90 seconds, but could not capitalize. Then, as the match settled down, Arsenal fell out of any rhythm it looked like the were building at the start. The first half progressed much as the first half went on Saturday. At halftime, I tweeted, "This is just like Saturday, except Arsenal is wearing yellow, have a stronger squad starting, and are playing worse."

The difference between Saturday and yesterday was that the chances were going the other way. There was a point in the first half when a statistic flashed on the screen that both sides had one attempt on target. But, it was Ipswich that had seven chances, compared to Arsenal's three. Even with Fabregas in the line-up, the offensive force just was not there. And, it was worse for most of the second half.

Some players looked like they were just having off nights: Fabregas, Walcott, Wilshere, Johan Djourou, and Kieran Gibbs spring to mind. Laurent Koscielny continues to play himself out of position challenging in one-on-one situations, which also continues to make things harder on his central partner. Emmanuel Eboue has a penchant for being burned at right back. Denilson and Andrei Arshavin just look like they can't be bothered at times; Arshavin is running out of passes on this if he hasn't run out with you already, Denilson surely needs to go. And, Bendtner just continues to be what we all know he is: an impact substitute at best, as long as he can play central forward and the opposition can't win headers.

Tamas Priskin put Ipswich up 1-0 in the 78th.
Pic via Guardian.

In the 76th, Arsenal should have taken the lead. Kieran Gibbs swung a cross from the left flank that just missed the head of Chamakh, the substitute, and caught an unsuspecting Fabregas on the right knee or thigh, on the six yard line, with a wide open net. And over the bar it went. Ipswich got out of jail there and took advantage, almost instantly. Tamas Priskin broke through the defense as Arsenal played a high line, fired low past a diving Szczesny, and put the Tractor Boys up 1-0. Yes, Priskin was offside, and yes, it should not have counted. But you can't say they didn't deserve it.

This match felt a lot like the loss at Braga did in November. Poor performance that looks like it's going to stay 0-0, then the opponent pings a goal, and Arsenal's desperate search for an equalizer goes wanting. Theo Walcott had two chances that were saved excellently by Marton Fulop, the goalkeeper who went to Manchester City on emergency loan last spring and allowed the goal that sent Spurs into the Champions League.

The moral of the story is that, while Ipswich deserved this win, you have to ask questions of Arsenal as to why they showed up with this performance. As my title asks, how many wake up calls does this team need before they stop getting complacent? Arsene Wenger blamed fatigue for the second half performance. That doesn't make any sense, since the players on the pitch largely haven't played much this year. And the players you could argue were fatigued weren't the ones who played lazy.

The tie hangs in the balance going back to the Emirates a week from Tuesday. I believe the lack of an away goal only comes into play after extra time (a 2-1 Arsenal win in 90 minutes would force extra time, not give the tie to Ipswich on away goals just yet.) In any case, let's move forward, bring back the A Team on Saturday, and take three points from Upton Park. Please?

Hipster Gooner Man of the Match: Tamas Priskin

Preview: Ipswich Town v. Arsenal, Carling Cup Semi-Final, First Leg

New Ipswich manager Paul Jewell took Wigan past Arsenal in this round five years ago.
Pic via Guardian.

Portman Road, Ipswich

Wednesday, January 12

7:45 p.m. GMT, 2:45 p.m. EST

• Referee: Martin Atkinson
• Last League Match: Arsenal 2 - 0 Ipswich (April 21, 2002)
• All-Time in All Competitions: 29 Arsenal wins, 17 Ipswich wins, 11 draws
• All-Time in League Cup: 1 Arsenal win, 1 Ipswich win, 1 draw
• Arsenal's Premier League Form: W-L-W-D-W-D
• Ipswich's Championship Form: L-L-L-W-D-L
• Second Leg: Tuesday, January 25 at Emirates Stadium

Predicted Line-Up

guesses in red

Szczesny

Eboue - Koscielny - Djourou - Gibbs

Denilson - Wilshere

Bendtner - Rosicky - Arshavin

Chamakh

Subs from: Fabianski, Miquel, Song, Ramsey, Nasri, Fabregas, van Persie

Suspended: Sagna (second of three, violent conduct)

Out: Squillaci (hamstring), Diaby (calf), Almunia (ankle), Vermaelen (Achilles)

Arsenal News and Notes

• Reserves captain and center back Ignasi Miquel remained with the first team this week, after Sebastien Squillaci picked up a hamstring injury on Saturday.
• Meanwhile, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, Craig Eastmond, and Conor Henderson all started for the reserves on Monday, making their availability for this cup tie unlikely. Then they lost 10-1, largely thanks to an 11th minute red card and a fairly makeshift line-up in places, against an Aston Villa side who started multiple first-team fringe players.
• After posting about the difficult question of whether you start the A Team or the B Team for this match, my predicted line-up is generally the B Team, with some big names available on the bench. I expect this match to be where I am the most wrong this season, in this respect.
• Aside from Squillaci, I have not heard of any other new injuries, but news has been slow between cup ties.
• Arsenal have drawn three of their last four competitive fixtures, after going 21 matches without a draw.
• Arsenal have drawn two straight matches. They have not gone more than two games without a win this season.

Ipswich News and Notes

• After firing Roy Keane at the end of last week, Ipswich went to Stamford Bridge for their 3rd Round FA Cup tie against Chelsea on Sunday, and were hammered 7-0.
• Ipswich Town have dropped points in three straight competitive fixtures.
• Before their 3-0 win over Leicester City in mid-December, Ipswich had lost seven straight league matches.
• Ipswich needed extra time in their first two rounds of this competition, to beat Exeter City and Crewe Alexandra.
• West Bromwich Albion was the only Premier League side Ipswich was forced to beat to advance this far in the competition.

Match Facts

• This is the third time Arsenal will meet Ipswich Town in the League Cup. Over two legs in 1970, Arsenal drew 0-0 at Ipswich before winning 4-0 at Highbury. Ipswich Town returned the favor, knocking Arsenal out in November of 2000, winning 2-1 at Highbury. James Scrowcroft had the 89th minute winner, scored on Stuart Taylor, who himself had just returned from a loan spell at Crystal Palace.
• Ipswich Town's last top flight season was 2001/02. Arsenal won both fixtures 2-0 that year. Freddie Ljungberg had three of the four goals. Thierry Henry had the other, from the penalty spot, at Ipswich.
• The aforementioned Ipswich League Cup win stands as their most recent victory over Arsenal.
• You would have to go back to September of 1984 for Ipswich's last league victory over the Gunners. Then again, this isn't a league match, so that's actually fairly moot.

The Referee

• The referee is West Yorkshire-based Martin Atkinson.
• Atkinson took charge of Arsenal's last Carling Cup tie, the 2-0 win over Wigan, in late November. He also took charge of Arsenal's 1-1 draw at Liverpool (when he sent off Laurent Koscielny) and 2-1 win over Birmingham (when he sent off Jack Wilshere.)
• February 18, 2009 was the last time Atkinson took charge of a match at Portman Road; Ipswich Town beat Nottingham Forest 2-1.

Other Matches

• Tuesday, Carling Cup Semi: West Ham United v. Birmingham City; Boleyn Ground, London
• Wednesday, League Match: Blackpool v. Liverpool; Bloomfield Road, Blackpool

What Is Your Starting XI at Ipswich on Wednesday?

In for the banned Sagna, Emmanuel Eboue is one of the only obvious selections.

Pic via This is Futbol.

Rotation, rotation, rotation. We've talked about it a lot lately and with Arsenal competing on three domestic fronts in the month of January, we're going to be talking about it a lot more this week. Arsenal's 1-1 draw with Leeds on Saturday added one more match to the fixture list, with very little break in between each match.

We've also noticed since the festive period a clear line between Arsenal's usual starting squad and the squad of bench players who start when Arsene Wenger determines the need to rotate. The A Team started three of the four league fixtures during the holiday period, while the B Team started at Wigan and against Leeds (both draws.)

The A Team has established itself as: Fabianski; Sagna, Koscielny, Djourou, Clichy; Song, Wilshere; Fabregas, Nasri, Walcott; and van Persie.

The B Team isn't quite a full XI on its own and usually requires about two players from the A Team to overlap, thanks to injuries to Diaby and Vermaelen. Reports indicate that Squillaci picked up a hamstring injury on Saturday, which will force Wenger's hand to buy in the transfer market. The B Team list, therefore, includes Szczesny, Eboue, Gibbs, Denilson, Rosicky, Bendtner, Arshavin, and Chamakh, plus Aaron Ramsey close to a return and the occasional smattering of reserves like Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, Craig Eastmond, and Ignasi Miquel. And it took me a reread of the article after posting it to realize I had completely forgotten Carlos Vela, who is likely going to be loaned somewhere anyway.

In the coming weeks, the fixture list is a little complicated. Arsenal plays the first leg of the Carling Cup Semi-Final at Ipswich Town on Wednesday night. Then, three days later, it's back to league play against West Ham United, at Upton Park. Three to four days later, depending on the not yet determined replay date, they'll travel to Elland Road for the replay against Leeds. Three or four days later, it's back to the Emirates again to host Wigan in the league, then three days after that, they host Ipswich in the second leg of the Carling Cup Semi.

Five matches in thirteen days.

My question to you: in which matches do you start the A Team, in which matches do you start the B Team, do you mix-and-match the squads at any point, and who do you send out at Ipswich on Wednesday?

Remember, if you play the B Team on Wednesday, then it will be ten days since the A Team's last start by the time Arsenal plays West Ham at the weekend.

Tricky, isn't it?

FA Cup: Arsenal 1 - 1 Leeds: To Elland Road We Go...

Damn you, Schmeichel Two! Pic via Guardian.

Arsenal 1: Fabregas 90 (pen)

Leeds United 1: Snodgrass 54 (pen)

There was a lot to ponder at way too early of an hour in the morning yesterday, following Arsenal's last gasp equalizer to force a replay with Leeds United. I have to say, Arsenal, these 7:45 in New York matches are way too early for you to keep putting me through the wringer.

That being said, we learned a lot about Arsenal's "B team" against Leeds. I think the main lesson is that, while full of great individual talents, the B team does not work well enough as a unit to win anything. While they kept Leeds's chances to a minimum, the Championship side took advantage of the chance they did receive, while Arsenal B did not, and it required the introduction of Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott just to force a replay. And should Arsenal get past that replay at Elland Road in about nine or ten days, they'll have a date with League One's Huddersfield Town at the Emirates in the fourth round. Not a bad draw at all.

Arsene Wenger made nine changes to the side that was frustrated at home by Manchester City; of the two players who started both, one was surprising (Alex Song) and the other was not (Johan Djourou.) Wojciech Szczesny started in goal, Emmanuel Eboue slipped in for the banned Bacary Sagna, Kieran Gibbs deputized for Gael Clichy, and Sebastien Squillaci did the same for Laurent Koscielny. Denilson joined Song as the second holding midfielder, Tomas Rosicky wore the armband and started in the middle, Marouane Chamakh started as the center forward and the the wingers were Andrei Arshavin and Nicklas Bendtner. That front four were the same four from the 2-2 draw at Wigan.

Right off the bat, a few thoughts about that line-up:

• Andrei Arshavin is as enigmatic as ever. He's clearly lost his touch and confidence, but is the type that could surge into a huge run of form if he just wants it enough. The problem is, it just doesn't look like he does want it enough. I mean, he started jogging off the pitch when Theo Walcott came on, even though Marouane Chamakh was the man whose number was in red on the board.
• Nicklas Bendtner has been fairly useless as a center forward this season, despite all of his talk. However, it's quite possible that he's even more useless as a winger. Seriously, Wenger, stop trying this. Then again, Bendtner's two huge misses came from the center (the header in the 80th and the left footed shot wide in the 92nd.)
• The emergence of Jack Wilshere this season has essentially played Denilson off this team. Denilson appears uncreative and flat footed and has a habit of conceding bad penalties. He was serviceable last year, but with Wilshere to compare him to this year, he now seems expendable.
• Marouane Chamakh cannot create his own chances. If the midfield is not creative enough or technical enough to work him into dangerous situations, he does not work up front. He hasn't scored since November 27th at Aston Villa.
• Tomas Rosicky, while a good leader, is past his prime enough that he seems incapable of handling the play-maker role. Aside from Fabregas and Samir Nasri, I don't really know who else on the bench can handle that role in a "B team" situation, though. Abou Diaby played it a bit in October before getting hurt. Then he got hurt again.
• Positives: Wojciech Szczesny will be #1 at some point soon. Johan Djourou has settled into the center back role incredibly well, especially after a year off through injury. Really, the back four as a whole were fine enough, save some adventures with Squillaci. No major complaints there.

Anyway, on to the match itself. It was a shaky start from Arsenal, as you'd expect from the B team that doesn't play as a group often, and largely hadn't in a week and a half. Eventually, throughout the first half, Arsenal was able to pick up where they left off on Wednesday, that is to say, they frustratingly wasted away chances. Arshavin was through on goal in the 11th, but Kasper Schmeichel came off his line well, and the Russian's shot was straight at the Danish son of Peter. Arshavin had a volley stopped with a diving save about fifteen minutes later. Right after this, off two corners, Arsenal had two shots cleared off the line.

Robert Snodgrass put Leeds ahead 1-0 from the spot in
the 54th minute. Pic via Daily Mail.

Leeds had to be happy about how the situation had played out in the first half. They were still hanging tight at 0-0, knowing that Arsenal's defense is porous enough to snatch a goal against the run of play. And, in the 54th, that goal came and it was against the run of play, but the defense was not to blame. Max Gradel poked the ball past Denilson in the area, and the Brazilian stuck his leg out to impede the Irish midfielder's progress. Stone cold penalty. Szczesny guessed right on Robert Snodgrass's spot kick, but the ball slipped just under the diving keeper. And with 36 minutes to play, Arsenal were up against it.

Aaron Ramsey had returned to the bench for Arsenal in this match, and you have to think that if the Gunners were winning comfortably, he could have made an appearance. However, at the hour mark, the necessary substitution was to bring on Cesc Fabregas. The captain came on for Alex Song, however, which meant once again, I had no idea how the substitution was supposed to work tactically.

Going back to something I said earlier in this post, Chamakh's best chance came about two or three minutes after Fabregas's introduction, but his header glanced wide after a last second defensive deflection. Szczensy made two big saves in the following ten minutes to keep Arsenal in the tie, first on a header in the 64th and later on a dipping free kick in the 71st. In the 80th minute, Nicklas Bendtner had a golden chance to head in the equalizer, but his attempt, from a central location, was over the crossbar.

Cesc Fabregas equalizes from the penalty spot in the 90th.

Then, the major twist. In the 88th minute, Theo Walcott went down in the area, then the ball squirted to Bendtner, who was offside. Phil Dowd pointed to the spot but the linseman's flag was up. Considering the foul came before the ball slipped to an offside player, the penalty should not have been negated. But, strangely, it was. I guess that's for the best, as after the match, Walcott apologized for diving on that challenge. Something tells me we won't see an embargo on Arsenal penalties like we did after the Eduardo incident last year, largely because Walcott isn't foreign.

But, one minute later, Walcott was hauled down again, this time his shirt having been tugged by Ben Parker. At the time, in the pub, I thought this call was weaker than the first, and we all chalked it up as a make-up call for what had happened a minute earlier. Cesc Fabregas stepped up to the spot and coolly fired the ball straight down the middle, as Schmeichel dove to his right. Arsenal was level in the 90th.

Arsenal then had two great chances for a winner in injury time. Again, Bendtner had a golden opportunity, breaking in down the left wing on Schmeichel, but Arsenal's Dane fired completely wide with a left footed shot. Walcott had a chance for a winner one minute later, but his shot found the side netting on the right side, and that was it. Arsenal had drawn level but could not find a dramatic winner and the Gunners now have themselves a replay scheduled at Elland Road coming on the 18th or 19th.

The Gunners by no means deserved to win this game and going to a replay is not as bad as crashing out in the third round. But, with a two-legged semi-final tie in the Carling Cup, suddenly Arsenal has a fixture congestion problem in January. The good news in this respect is that Arsenal has three cup ties against Championship sides, two league games against the bottom two teams in the table, and a fourth round tie with a League One side should they win at Leeds. It could all be a lot worse, no?

Hipster Gooner Man of the Match: Kasper Schmeichel

Preview: Arsenal v. Leeds United, FA Cup 3rd Round

Thierry Henry hit four past Leeds in their last meeting. Pic via BBC.

Emirates Stadium, London

Saturday, January 8

12:45 p.m. GMT, 7:45 a.m. EST

• Referee: Chris Foy
• Last League Match: Arsenal 5 - 0 Leeds (April 16, 2004)
• All-Time in All Competitions: 44 Arsenal wins, 41 Leeds wins, 31 draws
• All-Time in FA Cup: 5 Arsenal wins, 2 Leeds wins, 6 draws
• Arsenal's Premier League Form: W-L-W-D-W-D
• Leeds's Championship Form: W-W-D-D-D-L
• Potential Replay Date: January 18 or 19

Predicted Line-Up

all guesswork

Szczesny

Eboue - Djourou - Squillaci - Gibbs

Eastmond - Denilson

Bendtner - Rosicky - Vela

Chamakh

Subs from: Fabianski, Koscielny, Clichy, Ramsey, Wilshere, Arshavin, Emmanuel-Thomas

Suspended: Sagna (first of three, violent conduct)

Out: Diaby (calf), Almunia (ankle), Vermaelen (Achilles)

Arsenal News and Notes

• Emmanuel Eboue will certainly return to the squad, with Bacary Sagna serving a three match ban.
• Kieran Gibbs appears ready to start as well, at left back.
• I imagine Sebastien Squillaci will return as well, but don't know which other center back will drop to the bench. I guessed Johan Djourou to start.
• Wojciech Szczesny will likely start in goal, but with Vito Mannone still out on loan until January 31 (and hurt,) Fabianski will be on the bench.
• The midfielders and forwards, though? I have no clue.
• Aaron Ramsey probably won't start, but it'd be great to see him on the bench, maybe coming on as a substitute.
• Since losing consecutive matches to Tottenham and Braga at the end of November, Arsenal have lost only one of their last nine fixtures across all competitions. They are currently unbeaten in four.
• Arsenal have not gone unbeaten in five straight fixtures since October.

Leeds News and Notes

• Sanchez Watt, on loan from Arsenal, has been granted permission to feature. However, he picked up a head injury against Cardiff City on Tuesday which required stitches.
• Defender Ben Parker, who had been a long term absence after hip surgery, played his first 90 minutes since August of 2009 on Tuesday.
• Leeds-born-but-grew-up-in-London-and-is-an-Arsenal-supporting winger Lloyd Sam came on as a substitute Tuesday, but picked up a thigh injury after six minutes, and is now a doubt.
• Defender Andy O'Brien is also a doubt with a dead leg.
• Leeds was unbeaten in 12 before losing to Cardiff on Tuesday. Their last loss before that was also to Cardiff.
• During the streak, Leeds rose from 16th in the Championship to as high as 2nd. They currently sit 5th.

Match Facts

• The last time Arsenal played a non-Premier League side in a domestic cup tie was the third round of last year's Carling Cup, against then-Championship side West Bromwich Albion. Since then, they've played Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United, and Wigan Athletic in the Carling Cup and West Ham United and Stoke City in the FA Cup.
• Arsenal won all three meetings with Leeds in their most recent top flight season, 2003/04. Then again, Arsenal didn't lose that year, which you might recall. Arsenal won the league meetings 5-0 at Highbury (Henry scored four) and 4-1 at Elland Road. Arsenal also won an FA Cup tie 4-1 at Elland Road.
• Leeds's last win against Arsenal was a year before that, by a 3-2 score at Highbury. Mark Viduka had the 88th minute winner.
• Leeds United has only won one FA Cup in their history. It was in 1972 and they beat Arsenal 1-0 in the final.

The Referee

• The referee is Merseyside-based Chris Foy, who took charge of last year's FA Cup Final.
• Arsenal have won both matches worked by Foy in which they've played this year by 2-1 scores, first at Blackburn then at home against Fulham.
• Foy has taken charge of one Championship match this year and it was Leeds's 2-1 win at Middlesbrough.

Other Third Round Ties

• Saturday: Burnley v. Port Vale; Turf Moor, Burnley
• Saturday: Coventry City v. Crystal Palace; Ricoh Arena, Coventry
• Saturday: Bristol City v. Sheffield Wednesday; Ashton Gate, Bristol
• Saturday: Fulham v. Peterborough United; Craven Cottage, London
• Saturday: Doncaster Rovers v. Wolverhampton Wanderers; Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster
• Saturday: Brighton & Hove Albion v. Portsmouth; Withdean Stadium, Brighton
• Saturday: Huddersfield Town v. Dover Athletic; Galpharm Stadium, Huddersfield
• Saturday: West Ham United v. Barnsley; Boleyn Ground, London
• Saturday: Reading v. West Bromwich Albion; Madejski Stadium, Reading
• Saturday: Sheffield United v. Aston Villa; Bramall Lane, Sheffield
• Saturday: Bolton Wanderers v. York City; Reebok Stadium, Bolton
• Saturday: Blackburn Rovers v. Queens Park Rangers; Ewood Park, Blackburn
• Saturday: Swansea City v. Colchester United; Liberty Stadium, Swansea
• Saturday: Stevenage v. Newcastle United; Broadhall Way, Stevenage
• Saturday: Burton Albion v. Middlesbrough; Pirelli Stadium, Burton upon Trent
• Saturday: Millwall v. Birmingham City; The Den, London
• Saturday: Southampton v. Blackpool; St. Mary's, Southampton
• Saturday: Watford v. Hartlepool United; Vicarage Road, Watford
• Saturday: Sunderland v. Notts County; Stadium of Light, Sunderland
• Saturday: Scunthorpe United v. Everton; Glanford Park, Scunthorpe
• Saturday: Hull City v. Wigan Athletic; KC Stadium, Kingston upon Hull
• Saturday: Stoke City v. Cardiff City; Britannia Stadium, Stoke-on-Trent
• Saturday: Preston North End v. Nottingham Forest; Deepdale, Preston
• Saturday: Norwich City v. Leyton Orient; Carrow Road, Norwich
• Saturday: Torquay United v. Carlisle United; Plainmoor, Torquay
• Sunday: Leicester City v. Manchester City; Walkers Stadium, Leicester
• Sunday: Chelsea v. Ipswich Town; Stamford Bridge, London
• Sunday: Manchester United v. Liverpool; Old Trafford, Manchester
• Sunday: Tottenham Hotspur v. Charlton Athletic; White Hart Lane, London
• Monday: Crawley Town v. Derby County; Broadfield Stadium, Crawley
• Tuesday: Wycombe Wanderers v. Hereford United or Lincoln City; Adams Park, High Wycombe