It’s time for the oldest cup competition in the world, to make it’s way to the forefront. Some turn their noses up at the FA Cup, but ME… I LOVE the oldest cup competition in the world, because the minnows get a chance to humble the bigger teams… and I’ll ALWAYS want David to slay Goliath… unless David’s up against The Arsenal.
We’re away to Portsmouth, and it’s a potential banana skin, because we’re Goliath, and they’re David.
We need to ensure that we remain professional, and respect our opposition, regardless of the starting eleven Arteta decides to go with.
There’s a reason The Gunners have won the FA Cup, a record, 14 times… and it’s because it’s OUR trophy! It belongs to us, and we’re NOT about to let it go, all willy-nilly.
Pompey are on the back of a 5-0 thumping, away to Bristol City, and The Gunners are on the back of a misfiring 0-0 draw, at home to Liverpool.
We’ll be eager to put that right, and I’m sure we will.
Mikel Arteta made wholesale changes, to the team that faced Liverpool.
Kepa Arrizabalaga started in goal, Myles Lewis-Skelly at left-back, Gabriel, and Norgaard, in central defence. A risk, as it’s not only an untested centre-back pairing, but Norgaard is a midfielder… as we all know.
Benny Blanco (Ben White)… came in at right-back.
Eze, Merino, and Nwaneri, started in the midfield… and the front three was… Martinelli on the left, Jesus through the middle, and Madueke on the right.
Many players were rested, but still and very strong team started. This was another demonstration, of our incredible squad depth.
The Portsmouth faithful created a superb atmosphere, and Fratton Park was rocking!! It served as a reminder to The Gunners, that they were in a proper cup tie.
We couldn’t of started the game any worse, as it took Pompey just 3 minutes, to get their goal.
A shot from midfielder Conor Chaplin, was parried by Kepa… into the path of the Portsmouth striker, and captain… Colbly Bishop.
Bishop made no mistake, and fired the ball in from close range, giving Kepa Arrizabalaga, no chance.
It was 1-0 to Portsmouth, and though we looked shellshocked, we didn’t panic.
The swirling wind, and relentless rain, promised to increase entertainment levels… as well as expose any player, not comfortable with braving the elements.
The Arsenal responded in the right way, and when we earned a corner in the 8th minute, we once again showcased our set-piece prowess.
Eze took the corner, and put a ball in that caused chaos, panic, fear, uncertainty, and all round pandemonium, for the Pompey defence.
They couldn’t clear their lines, and upon first glance, it looked as though Christian Norgaard bundled the ball home… but replays showed that it was an own goal by the Portsmouth midfielder, Andre Dozzell.
We had our equaliser, and the scoreline made for much better reading, at 1-1.
I of course hoped that after the equaliser, an eruption of Arsenal goals would follow… and in the 25th minute, Mount Pompeious, began to rumble.
We earned a corner, that was taken by Noni Madueke. He put a deadly ball in, that Martinelli glanced in, at the near post. It was an excellent header by Gabriel Martinelli… that put The Arsenal 2-1 up. We led for the first time in the tie, and I just felt we’d stay in the lead, from that position.
We seemed to ease up on Pompey, after taking the lead, but they were still very much in this game. Both teams had nearly moments, leading up to half-time.
In the 43rd Minute, Noni Madueke was brought down in the box, and the referee immediately pointed to the spot. A penalty for Arsenal, and a chance to go in at the break 3-1 up.
Noni Madueke had the ball clutched under his arm, and I wondered why our most senior player, and striker, Gabriel Jesus… wasn’t stepping up to dispatch the penalty, emphatically.
Madueke placed the ball on the spot, took a stuttered run-up, and then scuffed the ball wide. It was an awful penalty, and one I’m sure he’ll want to forget, with godlike swiftness.
The scoreline remained 2-1 to The Gunners, and that’s how the first half finished.
The second half started with us very much in control, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that a third goal was needed, to prevent unnecessary nervousness… and in the 51st minute, the Arsenal players agreed with me.
Madueke was brought down, and we were awarded a free-kick. Myles Lewis-Skelly took a quick free-kick, and played a lovely ball through to Gabriel Jesus. Jesus spotted a great run from Martinelli, and played a wonderful ball across the Portsmouth box, that Martinelli tapped in from close range, at the far post. A second goal for Gabriel Martinelli, and 3-1 to The Arsenal!! We now had a two goal cushion.
In the 69th minute, substitutions were made.
Gabriel Jesus made way for Kai Havertz, Nwaneri was replaced my Odegaard, and Timber came on for Ben White.
More squad depth flexing, was on display… and it was wonderful to witness.
In the 72nd minute, our lead was extended further.
We earned a corner that Madueke took. He swung the ball into the near post, that Martinelli found the net with, after ANOTHER, clever glancing header. It was 4-1 to The Arsenal!!
Martinelli secured his first senior Hat-Trick, and it was the first time in 9 years, that Arsenal had scored 4 FA Cup goals, in a single match.
In the 76th minute, Gabriel made way for the 16 year old defender, Marli Salmon.
Salmon became the youngest player EVER, to represent Arsenal in the FA Cup.
A truly special moment for him, and his family.,
In the 82nd minute, Zubimendi replaced the irrepressible, Gabriel Martinelli.
At 2-1, the game was well and truly over, in my opinion… but I like how professional we were, in seeing the game out.
The match finished 4-1 to The Arsenal, and we’ll face League One side Wigan Athletic, at the Emirates Stadium… in the 4th Round.
Our immediate next game however, is a Carabao Cup Semi-Final tie, against Chelsea.
It’s a two-legged tie, with the first game being played at Stamford Bridge… and we’ll need to be at our best, to ensure that the lady sings the blues… to The Blues.
Do you agree with my match analysis?
Should Gabriel Jesus of taken the penalty?
Is it too early to dream of winning all four competitions?
Let me know in the comments!! COYG!!
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