{"id":2142,"date":"2021-01-08T20:06:20","date_gmt":"2021-01-08T20:06:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/?p=2142"},"modified":"2021-01-09T21:27:27","modified_gmt":"2021-01-09T21:27:27","slug":"magpies-for-the-pot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/?p=2142","title":{"rendered":"Magpies for the pot?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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(c) GettyImages<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first FA Cup Final that I remember watching Arsenal contest was the 1998 Final against Newcastle. Goals from Overmars and Anelka secured Arsene Wenger a first Double and the club\u2019s first since before I was I born. I jumped around in our lounge and made a lot of noise. Top day, that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ever since then I have enjoyed this tie when it comes up. In 2002 we drew 1-1 at St James\u2019 Park but prevailed in the replay, running out 3-0 winners at Highbury with goals from Pires, Bergkamp and Campbell (sploosh!) That was one hell of a team and of course it went on to collect our second Double in four years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2008 we played them in the fourth round and again beat them 3-0, Emmanuel Adebayor plundering two of the thirty goals he scored in all competitions that season. Unfortunately, that year did not end so rosily for us. We went on to lose 4-0 to Manure in the next round and a week later Eduardo\u2019s leg was broken in an incident that so shocked the team that they fell away in the League and slipped from first to third. A sliding doors moment for the club and a horrific injury for a popular and prolific player who never quite returned to his best form afterwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, although we have not challenged for the league as often as we would have liked since then, the last few years have seen some wonderful results in the cup and we have won it more than anyone else. Tomorrow will see us begin the defence of the trophy that we won in such magnificent style last year. The restrictions on gathering meant there were quite a lot of us jumping around in our lounges and making a lot of noise that day! Being 22 years older I also consumed rather more beer than I had done in \u201998. Top day, that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Opposition<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Newcastle fans are beset on all sides. Mike Ashley is still their owner and their manager is Steve Bruce, who, whatever you think of him, is not coaching a side that are easy on the eye. I watched them play Leicester last week and they were not at all pretty. They have a decent shape, Bruce is no mug, and they have players who put a shift in but lack the quality of many other top-flight sides. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Callum Wilson appears to be someone who can continue the Tyneside club\u2019s tradition of quality strikers and they rely on him to hold the ball up and nick goals. Creativity comes from Almiron, although he is not a player I rate highly. They are also waiting on an all clear for Saint-Maximin, one of the last of their players to return to contention after a recent outbreak of coronavirus swept through the club. The Frenchman is far from consistent but he is about the only player they have who, on his day, is genuinely exciting and unpredictable. Although if he is not available to enliven a dour Barcodes side then I won\u2019t miss him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dave used to appreciate a mastery of the Dark Arts and we will have to watch out for that tomorrow more so than ever – there is no-one better qualified in this area than Lord Voldemort himself, who could line up in midfield. He may have changed his name to Jonjo Shelvey but he is fooling no-one. Mind you, if his arch enemy had been Kieran Tierney rather than that Radcliffe chap it would have been an hour long tv special and no more. KT would never have taken seven books and eight films to come out on top. \u201cA bit of dark magic? It hurts no-one.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anyway\u2026 If we do get ourselves a lead then I expect the last fifteen minutes will be them thumping long balls at Andy Carroll from any and all conceivable opportunities. Didn\u2019t we play a Fat Sam team last week too?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Arsenal<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The busy festive period saw a marked upswing in results and, having made it through that punishing schedule, our boys have had a full week to prepare for this match. I imagine that Arteta will rotate somewhat for this one but quite how many changes he makes we will have to see. He might decide to go wholesale, giving the youngsters a rest and allowing their older colleagues the opportunity to prove that they are worth more than simply chucking on the scrap heap whilst the kids take over. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, we might get a bit more Willian. Oooh yeah. Perhaps some Pepe, hopefully the spicy one that lashes shots in with a vicious left-foot rather than the luke-warm, underseasoned one who gets passed the ball with three blokes in front of him and then runs straight into the first one anyway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I think we probably will see David Luiz. It is even possible that Partey may be in contention, although I am sure all Gooners everywhere are happy to wait to see him until he is actually fully fit. Let us hope the staff assessing this are more cautious than they were the last time he came back. If we could get him in the starting line-up with any regularity it would really add some power, quality and experience, and provide an actual midfield platform for our attacks. If he is fit I\u2019d still have him on the bench tomorrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AMN should play, perhaps at left-back so KT3 can have a day off? Or he may go at right-back, Cedric staying on the bench and the indestructible Scot looking to add to his goal tally now he has got the taste. Go on Kieran!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I think this one will have a Europa League feel to it. Willock may start. Apparently, Nelson had an injury that has kept him out of the team but he appears to be available, so he might well be given a chance to get back into things. Will Gabigol be rested? Or does he need game time more than rest? I think we need to start ESR in the league, so I suspect he won\u2019t play tomorrow but I might be well off in that assessment (guess).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will Saka be deemed un-droppable? Or will he be allowed a chance to sit on his arse at home after some inspiring performances that, although they have been exceptional, must have taken something out of the young man who has played a lot of games this year. (Well, last year, but you know what I mean.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do we play Auba to try to get him scoring again? Or Laca, to continue his streak, and because he likes the physical challenge a side like Newcastle bring? Is this one for Eddie, who has been largely absent recently? Might we even see some of Balogun? I hope we see the young striker at least make the bench. And personally, I hope the even younger Miguel Azeez also gets in the squad. That is a player I want to see more of. Yes please.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The boss has a lot of choices for this one and then five days before we play Palace in the League. It is a tough one to call, so my team might be well out here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leno<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AMN, Luiz, Mari, Tierney<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xhaka, Elneny<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Willian, Willock, Nelson<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eddie<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do not be surprised if we line up completely differently. The boss has alternate options in every single position barring central midfield, when even a fit Partey would still see us needing to field one of the Xhakneny Axis of Average. I will look forward to suggestions in the drinks as to how else we might line up and be perfectly happy if I get five out of eleven correct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The holics\u2019 pound<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, I quite fancy us to get through this one. We have hopefully turned a corner in our results and we look like we can actually score goals. Recent history is on our side. And Newcastle aren\u2019t great. I shall be watching the match on the BBC, just like \u201998, so that\u2019s another good omen. Unfortunately for those chasing a bit of value the bookies agree with me. We are comfortable favourites and there isn\u2019t much of anything attractive being offered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I will suggest waiting until the team-sheet comes out before placing your money down. If the Icelandic lad starts in goal then don\u2019t bet on a clean sheet! Assuming Leno gets the nod I am torn between 2-0, available at a skinny 6\/1 and 3-0 which is available at an equally uninspiring 9\/1. Both of these are through William Hill and if you shop about a bit you may find a slight improvement. On balance I am going to go with 3-0, to make it a hat-trick of three goal home cup victories against this lot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I do love the FA Cup. Let\u2019s put in a good performance and keep building momentum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have a good one \u2018holics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The first FA Cup Final that I remember watching Arsenal contest was the 1998 Final against Newcastle. Goals from Overmars and Anelka secured Arsene Wenger a first Double and the club\u2019s first since before I was I born. I jumped around in our lounge and made a lot of noise. Top day, that. Ever since […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[5],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2142"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2142"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2142\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2150,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2142\/revisions\/2150"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2142"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2142"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2142"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}