By Bulldog Drummond.
The illness question is the most puzzling part of today’s game: Danny Welbeck and Alex Iwobi are said to be down with it. Mesuz Ozil (as WhoScored now have him listed) seems to have had it twice, has recovered, but is on the Physioroom sick list and out for weeks. All very odd.
Laurent Koscielny’s sending off against Bayern doesn’t affect the FA Cup, so he will almost certainly be there. The issue of Ospina’s minor injury has been raised, the Ox is said to be in revolt, Theo also has the bug… in short there is a huge attempt going on to make Arsenal look like it is in an absolute muddle. And those who want to believe that, will of course. But generally the simplest explanation is the one that is right (that theory is known as Occam’s razor, and its been around since the 14th century). Yep, it is all down to aliens.
In the FA Cup our record is second to none – one defeat in the last 20 FA Cup games. As for Lincoln they have come through six rounds to get this far, having started in the fourth qualifying round. Last season they made it to the first round proper where they went out to Whitehawk of the National League south, 3-5. The year before they also went out in the first round proper to Eastleigh.
So this season is quite an upturn for Lincoln, and it is interesting that just a year ago the supporters were very anxious indeed to get the ownership and management moved on because of their poor performance. It was ever thus.
As for today, of course huge cup upsets can happen – and I am sure somewhere someone is talking about Arsenal and Walsall (although probably without knowing any of the details about the team or the conditions the game was played in, or come to that any other upsets of the era) or any other match they want to pick. Headlines abound such as
- Arsene Wenger’s most humiliating defeats as Arsenal manager …
- Arsene Wenger’s 15 most humiliating defeats at Arsenal
- Arsene Wenger’s 20 Worst Defeats as Arsenal Manager
- Arsenal’s five heaviest defeats under Arsene Wenger
- Arsenal’s biggest defeats under Arsene Wenger
- Arsenal were embarrassed by Monaco defeat
- Wenger hits new low after Arsenal’s embarrassing defeat at Bradford
- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger slams youngsters after EFL Cup defeat
There are even articles doing the rounds about Wrexham 2 Arsenal 1, but you also don’t hear about Bournemouth 2 Man U 0 in 1984, Liverpool 0 Wimbledon 1 in 1988, Sutton 2 Coventry 1 (although it got mentioned before the last round), Man City 0 Wigan 1 (2013)… If the result is not 15-0 to Arsenal then it will be an embarrassment. If it is 15-0 it will be our fault for stopping the game being an enjoyable spectacle and being churlish.
In short, whatever it is, it is Arsenal’s fault.
As for the game, Lincoln can’t play Lee Angol on loan from Peterborough because he is cup tied. And apparently they have been doing a bit of rotation for this game: Nathan Arnold and Matt Rhead were on the beach in their midweek game but are said to be returning.
The Lincoln manager Danny Cowley actually handled the situation far better than the media. Speaking of Mr Wenger he said, “He’s forgotten more than I know. He’s a pioneer. We’ve got huge respect for him as a man and as a manager.”
And here’s one that I missed out in the first part of the preview, when looking at all the past results between the two and coming up with those funny coincidental scores and dates: Lincoln never won away to Woolwich Arsenal, or The Arsenal, losing 10 and drawing three of 13 matches.
We’ve only lost one FA Cup tie against a lower league club with Mr Wenger in charge – that against Blackburn in 2013, when they were in the Championship. That was in the 5th round. The last time we lost to non-league opposition in the Cup was 1911, when Swindon of the Southern League defeated Woolwich Arsenal.
Arsenal were in the first division at the time, and ended the season 10th, but the defeat was not seen as particularly exceptional, as the Southern League at the time was seen as a very strong alternative to the Football League. It attracted many disaffected Football League players who wanted to avoid the “retain and transfer” system that Arsenal’s court case against one of its own players, had introduced in 1893.
I wrote earlier about Mr Wenger’s success in the competition. One more stat to add to this: Arsenal under Wenger have reached the quarter final of the FA Cup 12 times, and have made it to the semi-finals on 10 of those past occasions. Not too bad a record.
And one more: Theo Walcott (assuming he is not ill like everyone else) should score, as he has scored six times in his last four FA Cup appearances.
But finally a word of warning about Lincoln: they scored with their only shot on target against Burnley in the last round.
The team?
Well, the question mark is probably the most apposite bit of this but I will go with
Ooooooospina
Bellerin Mustafi Koscielny Gibbs
Coquelin Xhaka
Theo The Ox Alexis
Giroooooooooooud
Man of the match: of course it has to be referee Anthony Taylor. He will make it so.
Lurking on the beach: This time this is a particularly tough call. I don’t really know what Mr Wenger is going to do here. We could see any of these….
Cech, Jenkinson, Debuchy, Mertesacker, Gabriel, Holding, Monreal, Maitland-Niles, Ramsey, Özil, Reine-Adélaïde, Pérez
Now that is 12 and we can only use seven. But it is also possible that one or two younger players might actually play: Maitland-Niles for example. Pérez could also play. In short, I haven’t got the faintest idea.
So no change there.
- Arsenal v the rest of the universe. The injuries, the curious case of Ozil’s illness, and the quotes.
- Lincoln City at the Arsenal: historic coincidences, out of date websites, last minute signings…
- Arsenal in the FA Cup; change of rules, change of name, the heritage, the records
Bradley Woods has said that he is going to “smash” Alexis. So our fans need to be ready for that if Taylor lets him get away with thuggery.
Dean making the Boro’ v Citeh game all about him. Ignoring City fouling, booking Boro players for insignificant stuff.
Arsenal 5-1 Lincoln city
my prediction.
Feel the fear.
Arsenal are playing a non league club today. Of course the media are going to talk about and drag up the Wrexham game. If Newcastle were playing Lincoln instead, they’d be dragging up their defeat to Hereford.
Don’t take it personal!
And no mention of Wigan or Wimbledon shocks? They were top flight teams in actual Cup finals? Hardly on par with a 4th division team?
Looks,like,its going to be a boxing match. Smashing and all that. I had a displeasure of listening to talk shit….very very sad that some of the fan advocating their team to lose in the hope of the manager getting the sack….despicable lot.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Mert and Holding at CB, I would also start Thoth a midfield three of Xhaka, Ramsey and the Ox and would start Lucas instead of Alexis.
After Manure winning a trophy (so the EFL is a trophy now officially )Le Prof lets win it next Season and see if it will be silver ware any more!! Did any Whorelists metion the would be goal for Southampton that didnt stand ???Sorry in that match no Journalist was allowed in Wembley.
Why is Taylor our Ref???After doing what he does best to us? Why is no one complaining about it.
Taylor should be charged with trespassing. He should not be allowed to step foot on Arsenal property.
It looks like Lincoln fans have brought pyrotechnics with them. Maybe they won’t get inside the stadium?
COYG!
Come.on you Gunners…
Our cup. No sharing with the club uff norff
Will Taylor place himself in front of Wenger?
Commentators from last week on… Gleefully shouting..Out of top 4..After Liverpool defeat….. Are we really??? Yet???…
We have a game in hand over Liverpool….Who are 2 points ahead….
That big fucker flattened Mustafi. I expected to see Gabriel in the side to stop his thuggery. We’re already getting kicked.
Theooooooooo…Come on
Certainly TheGuardian is not unbiased today. They are hoping that Lincoln get away with anything and everything.
COYG!
There comes the Taylorism…..Rambo penalised for a foul on him!!
Taylor being appointed is Riley dropping his trousers waving his skinny flanks at us and saying ‘I can do whatever I like and you just have to take it’ Scum
Customary Xhaka card…
We should rename the cards as Xhaka
It was Yellow BTW…
Oh Dear! just decided to check the blog & then Xhaka get a yellow. Wow! what quality eyesight from Taylor.
So Lincoln are winning the injury game.
It would be nice if Taylor got hit by a bus at half time.
COYG!
The one that elbowed Mustafi gets elbowed by Koscielny..
Payback time
Why is every injury treated like a cardiac arrest? Take the player off with a stretcher & let the fans get value.
The Arnold guy can play a bit though
Menace it definitely was a yellow card..You really havent got a clue have you.The sh1t that comes out of your computer is unparalleled on any site.Even your fellow cult pal Arsenal 13 could see that so it must have been blatant.
Not half as well as Taylor! His play is absolutely in line with FIFA.
Another example of Taylorism…Always blocking the passing channel….
What no foul.on Alexis!!!!
I don’t think anybody disputed the yellow. It was correct
Koscielny booked for…getting run into?
@Tom,
Yeah…Balant. sort of the ones which we complain that referees don’t give for our opponents.
GGG @6:09
That is more or less what Daily Mail just said. (I gave up on Guardian, too biased to stomach.)
COYG!
The ref’s not doing us any favours and the way we’re playing we need all the help we can get!
So referee has clear view of Girouds shirt being pulled but…. Nothing given…
Giroud in a head sandwhich
As a nine Bob Note
Ooooooohhhhhzzziiillllll
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Ttttthhhheeeeeoooooooooooooo
Yyyyyyyyyyyyeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrhhhhhhhhhhhh.
Yes
Scarlett always brighter than Lincoln Green!!!
That’s more like it
Oh Rambo…Lower. lower…
Thank the big guy for that! 0-0 at half time would have been embarrassing!
Ramsey needs to practice kicking. Its a pathetic display so far. Nothing near target.
Corner????
Thank you Theo!
COYG!
Ref has stopped us on a number of occasions from taking quick kicks.
Theo actually fouled someone. That must be a first
1 nil to the good
Typical officiating by Taylor – 2 yellows for Arsenal & nothing for the nasty ‘step on’ or kicks or elbows or foul play from Lincoln. There was the one talking to with the captain present just in case there was a translation required.
I love the commentators studs first reasoning for Xhaka yellow. The Stamp on Alexis’ foot was with studs in the air I presume?
Poor game. When will the football start
Anthony Taylor should be tied up and left among numerous kindergartners with multi-color permanent markers and crayons, with the instruction “Draw what you like on this round shiny looking surface”
No chance of Wenger getting into trouble with the 4th official – their manager has exclusivity.
Football will start when the FA & PGMOL are disbanded or put on stretchers to the silly farm.
I’m watching the BT panel sing the praises of Lincoln and how they are DESPERATELY unfortunate to be behind…Frankly, I don’t think the boys are playing that well, but they run up against teams with 10 men behind the ball quite often and they know that they have to be patient. Yes, Lincoln had one chance and our goal was a deflection but face it, we’ve had more than one shot at goal and they blew it by giving Theo the time and space to get the shot off. So, that whole lot (including Mr. Wright) can just sod off.
Yeah!They’re really pally
@menace.
Oh nope…Alexis studs upped on.himself…
Ooohhzzil…That through ball
The medja is reporting that the Ox has a hamstring problem.
They are suggesting it is self-inflicted. Probably caused by something other than the player themself. Like the manager or the medical system.
COYG!
@norman14,
They were stuck at the hips….first half… Apparently they’ve had a surgery at halftime. Now seperated
Much better half from us so far
Giroud…Come ooooooonnnnn.
Yeeaaaahhhh
Yes, Giroud
Got them Sussed now
Is there any reason for Daily Mail to have this for a caption on a picture?
> Arsenal’s French Manager Arsene Wenger (right) looks on from the dugout
I mis-spell Wenger’s first name, because I don’t remember how to get whatever is the proper diacritical mark. That shouldn’t be an excuse for the medja.
It is irrelevant what nationality he is, he is Arsenal’s manager.
COYG!
ooops potted the white in off the green 4points!
Daily the Nazi Mail, well I never!!!
So…. They have lost 10mins games since the 4th game is it….
Gord – that is the basis of racism. Start by differentiation & then go on to ‘comical’ criticism.
Hey, that’s wonderful! First OG scores, and then og scores. 🙂
Does Lincoln go Ugghh?
Does Taylor go uhhhhhhhhhhhhhh?
COYG!
We have Robson (remember that guy, had a post game program in ARSENAL player…Theo runner without brains guy) for commentary.
Hez reminded us how ARSENAL were split open by Bayern on Tuesday. Also reminded us we had a French manager and a French striker…
Now we’re showing them what for. Granite off but he has been solid and Ozil is on form. Wonder how we will do in the next proper game? Lot of empty seats. hope that improves for the big run-in for top 6. Everton only 3 points behind now but we should manage top4 alright.
Funny how everyone on here the other night was using the racist term ‘those Greeks’ but I suppose that is fine. Anyone heard from Sam?
Errr, not everyone
Another studs up comment buy the idiot on TV. Coq this time. I don’t think these guys know what studs are.
@ossasa???
Real game????
Electric Alexis ….
Don’t stop now Arsenal get a dozen or more. Teach the press what 10 -2 is.
Raammmbbboooo…. Finally. Yyyeeeeaaahhhhh
How to go Alexis! Daily Mail says he lept over a challenge to score. Tree cutting challenge?
“Those Greeks” need not be a racist statement. Those Greeks knew their geometry (those being Euclid and his school of people geometers).
> Geometry (from the Ancient Greek: γεωμετρία; geo- “earth”, -metron “measurement”)
COYG!
I feel sorry for Anthony Taylor…well, almost. He has to be a referee in a game like this one and can’t kill off Arsenal hopes for a trophy.
He can always give a red card to Koscielny though so let’s be careful.
It’s taken them until the last ten minutes when they’re five down to start playing football
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha…That commentary….
Off waterfall..
Nice save Cech!
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Medja seemed to have changed the spelling of the Lincoln keeper (I didn’t think it was Farmer), and so I had to go back to the beginning of the “coverage” of the game.
It was awfully nice of them to devote so many pictures to displaying all the people that the medja paid to pretend to be Arsenal fans looking to get rid of our manager.
COYG!
Blind Taylor allows Lincoln more green than a golf course. Commentator with the classic ‘piece of the ball’ excuse for the free kick on the edge of the box.
Taylor denies us a penalty? Who could imagine such a thing?
COYG!
Leon – I thought you were praising them earlier.
Pseudo fouls coming into play now. Anything to stop Arsenal drubbing the
Giant Killers
@Gord,
Yes it’s true. Lincoln player hit Lucas’ leg, Lucas tried to stay and then fell. I kid you not, the commentator said Lucas should have a got a yellow for a dive since he didn’t go down with the contact quickly.
It’s not a big deal in this game since we were 5-0 up, but it’s sad that it’s a pattern with the officials and no one from the media ever calls out the officials for it.
Gee, no extra time. Don’t want a big score Taylor?
COYG!
Lucas lucky not to be booked for simulation there. …
Good win, ghastly ref. Some silly comments earlier from the aaaa sympathisers!
Match report on line in 5 4 3 2 1 ….. go
I can’t forsee a time when I am going to want to start watching the crap from officials on TV again.
It sure would be nice to find a good source for commentary on games like this one. Livescore had nothing (that I could see).
—
Usama, I don’t suppose Andrew knows how to get to you by email (directly)? Maybe something of interest coming from here. I should have Walter’s email somewhere, I guess I could use that.
Menace
Praising who? Lincoln? No way. I said Arnold could play a bit and then he disappeared from the game along with his team.
And yet Licoln may lift the Vase and their league at the end of the season. What will be the trophy count on here come May? Bloody Everton.
ossasa – buy a mug from the Arsenal shop & a stainless steel chamber pot for your mantle. Better still start wearing green.