Opposition: Arsenal Football Club ‘ The Emirates Football Association Cup Round 3
Facts:’ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arsenal_F.C.
Unknown fact ‘ Arsenal are the only English team still in existence never to have been relegated
Venue ‘ The Emirates Stadium, Norf Landan
Date / Time: Saturday 9th January 2021 17:30 ‘ Live on the Beeb
As a nipper, I always used to get excited for the third-round draw. Who would the Mighty Mags bag in the hat? Would we get a homer? Can we finally banish the embarrassment of the exit to ‘plucky’ Hereford? I’m bloody sick of seeing that Ronnie Radford goal from 1972 on MOTD!
These days it’s hard to get excited about anything concerning Newcastle United Football Club, so when we drew the cup holders, Arsenal, away in round 3 it was a big fat ‘meh’ from me!
In the last few years, Arsenal have just been a bit crap. In Professor Yaffle’s final couple of seasons and subsequent appointments of Unai Emery, then Mikel Arteta, they’ve just been a run of the mill Greed League outfit. Every year, their squad just seems to be full of overpaid mercenaries mixed with a smattering of locally developed lads. Yet, the common thread amongst this, is that they always beat us; and they still win the odd trophy. Arsenal hold the record for the largest number of FA Cup wins and come into this tie as the current holders of the famous trophy.
???? One of these on Saturday please Big Andy’…
(Incidentally, the last time #NUFC won at Arsenal) pic.twitter.com/rh3AWnKbim
— True Faith: Newcastle United Fanzine & Podcast (@tfNUFC) January 5, 2021
I find it odd that Arsenal not only hold the Cup, and have won it more than anyone else, but curiously share a sponsor on their shirts and ground with the stubby little big eared shiny thing; that cannot be legit?
Arsenal, to me, are an enigma. They are clearly a big club steeped in history, with a plethora of pots shining bright in their oversized cabinet. Meanwhile, our cleaners are still removing the cobwebs from our own cupboard, that has laid bare since 1969. There was a glimmer of hope for us last season, and I genuinely think that had the country not locked down, we might have had a chance in front of a full house and under the lights of SJP. As it was, however, Bruceball decided to send us out to meekly surrender to Man City, and the rest, as they say, is history ‘ Rinse and bloody repeat!
I suspect that both sides will make a host of changes, and we should see the return of Dubravka in between the sticks for this one. With a much more important game the following Tuesday at The Blades, I can see at least half a dozen changes here, but fear not, our potent ‘striker’ Joelinton will still get his customary 75 minutes of wandering around the pitch aimlessly. What naughty photos does he have of SB that merits his selection every week?’ Playing him down the left and switching Miggy out of position is having a massive impact on our #24 and it’s just criminal that someone with the talent he has is looking a tad shit this season.
AC scored last time we won at The Gooners; is on a hot streak now???
So, it’s the dreaded prediction time. This tie must be decided on the day with no replays. I don’t really think we need to worry about taking this into ET or Pens, do you? I’m going for yet another painstaking Mag performance and a routine 2-0 win for ‘The Arsenal.’ Our cup dreams dashed for another year.
Howay the lads,
Paul Karter
