Where is the heart?

I know I said that I didn't mind us losing this match but certainly not in the manner that we did. We put out a strong squad whereas the opposition played with 7 defenders on their line-up. Looking at the line-up, I seriously expected for the team to go on and beat the Mancs. It was a line-up with next week's Champions League encounter in mind and yet we couldn't beat them.

However, what irked me most about this defeat is the lack of heart among the Arsenal players in the game. The lads were playing at pedestrian pace and not showing any passion for the match at all. It was like they were being forced at gunpoint to participate in the game. Of all the players, the only one who really tried was Jack Wilshere and this is a boy of 18 years. The rest of the seniors players especially Denilson, Diaby and Arshavin were not even trying. Both goals came as a result of the lackidaisical attitude of the holding midfielders. For the first, we saw Fabio having lost of space to receive the ball when Diaby was still strolling back to the penalty box while for the second, Denilson allowed Valencia to carry the ball over 60 metres up till the penalty box without even getting close to the player. He was again just strolling along with Valencia. The other guy who dissapointed was Kieran Gibbs. Here is a the England left back of the future but he was so poor as Rafael just breeze past him to set up the second goal.

Seriously, where is the heart in playing for Arsenal? This is the FA Cu, for god sake. If the match doesn't excite the players, I am not sure if they are in the right profession. The opposition was certainly no better the us in terms of talent but they just showed more passion. Wayne Rooney for all his criticism as always at the back holding his court in front of the left back and bouncing forward whenever they had a break. That is what we need.PASSION!

I am too sick to the stomach to write anymore about the team. Its best to just leave the dissapointment to rest for the week. I am afraid we will also be losing Djourou for some time with a dislocated shoulder. On the other hand, it's great to see Rambo back in the first team. Pity it didn't come with better circumstances

FA CUP: Manchester United vs Arsenal

I am in two minds for this match tomorrow. While it would be good to beat Man United in their own den and continue to the semi-finals of the FA Cup, I wonder if it would not be better to lose this match and concentrate fully on the Premier League. We obviously do not have the depth to handle so many challenges.

The Premiership is the number target of us this season so any other challenges can be regarded as a distraction. If we were to lose this game, it means adding another game to Man United's already congested fixture. With the Champions League and FA Cup, Man United will have to play a minimum of 8 games in the month of April compared to our 6. You can see how big tomorrow match will be, not because it is the FA Cup quarterfinals but because of the repercussions on the Premiership title chase.

However, we are in now in the quarter-finals and have two matches to go before we reach another Wembley final. I think it would be good for the team to redeem themselves in Wembley after the Carling Cup debacle. Arsene has come out to say that he will be putting up a strong team tomorrow. Whether this is the right decision for the league title chase, it still remains to be seen.

A Collectors' item: Bendner's hattrick and Clichy's goal

So all the hype about Leyton Orient coming to the Emirates and creating an upset ended with a leisurely win for the Gunners last night. Truth be told, I don't think the lads we out of second gear throughout the match. From their movements and morale, it seems like the defeat on Sunday was still very much in the minds. This is something we need to watch out for this Saturday because Sunderland is definitely no Leyton Orient.

The 5-0 scoreline flattered us a little bit because I don't think we were that good. Leyton tried to play us at our game and lost. Kudos goes to Russell Slade and his men for not taking the all defensive, all robust route to compete with the Gunners. Anyway which way, they would have still lost but in this manner at least they gained some respect from Arsene and the boys.

It was good to see Arsene give both Ignasi Miguel and Connor Henderson their home debuts for the senior team. I thought both of them played well, in particular Miquel. He needs to work on his bulk for next season and should be a great defender in the mould of Gerard Pique. Henderson show some nice touches but he was a bit passive and not willing to take the risk.Probably it was because this being his senior debut, he didn't want to commit any mistakes. I am sure we will see more of him in the future.

As for the goals, it is really a night for the collectors. When will you ever see a game again when Bendtner scores a hattrick and Clichy gets a goal as well. This being only the Frenchman's second goal in all his time with the club, it would probably never happen again ever.