This was easier than I expected it to be. Villa were just outclassed, particularly by Cazorla who looked like he was having a kick about with his kids at times. I think the ref had a so-so day. He should've booked Benteke & Delph and not sure how he missed the Villa free-kick and penalty late in the 2nd half. Generally he did well, about as well as I expect from the current English referees. Some good goals by us too- particularly Sanchez. I don't think this system would work against the top teams (Actually I know it doesn't purely because it hasn't!) but against the mid and bottom half of the table teams, we have too much quality regardless of the formation. All in all a great day, the atmosphere at Wembley was great- like an Arsenal home game but I feel for the Villa supporters who came down with genuine hope.
@MrPaul- He wasn't, he was the MAN OF THE MATCH- this isn't America son. And the reason he was MotM is because he ran the game from minute 1. Nobody can call themselves a football fan if they didn't see that.
@NotBiased- I'm sure it was a let down for the neutrals. A friend of mine who supports neither team didn't watch the second half because "the game was done". He was right.
It is gonna be a tight match, by a one goal margin the most I reckon. Although we have put 8 past Aston Villa this season, nerves and memories of Hull will prevent such fluent attack this time. Honestly I do not think Walcott will score today, I think last week was a fluke, but I hope I am wrong. I envision him being subbed off for Giroud around the 70th minute when we are in need of a goal. But at the end of the day I reckon we will win 2-1. Coq the man of the match nullifying Aston Villa and Benteke to score a header which Wojciech could have saved. COYG!!!!
Walcott and Wilshere seriously need to get at least half of the regular time. They're hungry for the game. A fit player with great motivation is the best kind of player. Wenger should show some cojones at last and field them in starting XI.
Walcott for Giroud means game won't slow down when Giroud has the ball! Ozil will get 3 assists tomorrow and MoM guaranteed! Walcott. Sanchez x 2 and Ramsey 4 goals : Benteke x 2 goals 4:2 see you at the parade soon!
Walcott instead of Giroud please, I believe Ramsey will score and if Arsenal don't wrap the game in first half, It will be very hard to close Villa in second. Benteke will probably score too. 4:2 Arsenal! salut
pt.2- But I also expect us to control the game, 62%+ of the ball and stifle Villa attacks through the middle meaning they will have to go out wide- a potential problem for them if they adopt the 4-3-1-2 formation shown above. I don't quite agree with Villa's supposed lack of form. In reality, it was a horror show against a team which has matched it all season against the big boys and a meaningless game with all the players thinking about the final playing against an already relegated team. A typical end of season affair. Ultimately I believe our quality will tell so will predict 2-1 with Cazorla MotM but it will be a typical nervy game for the Gooners & I wouldn't be at all surprised if it goes into extra time. Would we want it any other way? ... Er yes.
Always difficult to call the final. Everything points to this being a comfortable Arsenal victory but the same was said prior to last year's final. I expect Villa's game-plan to be similar to Hull's in the early stages last year- go hard at the defence hoping to catch them cold and look to establish a defendable lead whilst looking to attack exclusively on the counter-attack thereafter. That is an absolute best case scenario for Villa but hopefully we aren't naïve, complacent & lethargic enough for that to happen. Benteke is a threat, he has as many natural attributes as any striker in the world with the exception of Messi & Ronaldo. The only 2 things stopping him being bonafide world class are playing for a club who don't provide him with enough opportunities (this has been close to rectified under Tim Sherwood's more enterprising style) and his sometimes unenthusiastic performances (a mental issue which hasn't come to the fore since Tim took over). I expect him to score... pt.1
I'm quite sure the Arsenal are the away side for this fixture as we are wearing our Yellow Away kit.
I predict an Arsenal win 2-1 with Ozil winning MOTM. I hope Walcott starts for his pace and movement, and that Villa go with N'zogbia over Agbonhalor and Westwood over Carlos Sanchez.
Why? Agbonhalor always plays well against us due to his pace, and Sanchez physicality could be the difference in winning the midfield battle.
@Overmars It's being played at the new Wembley, there is no home or away team. Villa won the coin toss which allowed them to wear their claret and blue. It doesn't matter, we have a famous cup history with that strip. Arsenal are probably shown first because it comes first alphabetically.
@Overmars- Yep, you are correct regarding the kits. The "cup" away kit (which has been worn only a few times) obviously clashes with the claret and blue of Villa's home kit s that was a great idea by Puma & the Arsenal PR team. I think Walcott will start after his hat trick, it's just at what position. Jackson Martinez is rumoured to be close to joining (heard that one before) so I doubt Walcott will be given the striker role he craves long term. He may be given that role for this game though with Giroud having a dip in form.
@Overmars- Yeah, 99% of transfer targets are rumours put about by agents (most of the time to get a more lucrative contract for their player at their current club) but this one seems to be sicking around.I doubt Wenger will pay £25m for a 28-year old though.
Good work, Agent Sherwood, for giving Stevie G and Brenda the cup send off they deserved. Job done. There's a spot waiting for you on the Arsenal victory bus.
This was easier than I expected it to be. Villa were just outclassed, particularly by Cazorla who looked like he was having a kick about with his kids at times. I think the ref had a so-so day. He should've booked Benteke & Delph and not sure how he missed the Villa free-kick and penalty late in the 2nd half. Generally he did well, about as well as I expect from the current English referees. Some good goals by us too- particularly Sanchez. I don't think this system would work against the top teams (Actually I know it doesn't purely because it hasn't!) but against the mid and bottom half of the table teams, we have too much quality regardless of the formation. All in all a great day, the atmosphere at Wembley was great- like an Arsenal home game but I feel for the Villa supporters who came down with genuine hope.
How is Cazorla the mvp?!?!Is this rigged or what?!?!
@MrPaul- He wasn't, he was the MAN OF THE MATCH- this isn't America son. And the reason he was MotM is because he ran the game from minute 1. Nobody can call themselves a football fan if they didn't see that.
@MrPaul no one says MVP to describe the man of the match.
Na na na naaaaaaaaaaaa
Garbage final tbf. At least the German cup final would be much better....
@NotBiased- I'm sure it was a let down for the neutrals. A friend of mine who supports neither team didn't watch the second half because "the game was done". He was right.
@SteveHyland I did the same.
@NotBiased You're just mad because Arsenal won son
@MiguelSuave Neutral in cheering for a less favourite side and hoping for a close game shocker. Do they not teach you common sense at your school?
@NotBiased Let's see about that. BVB already in front.
@BugsBunny And now Wolfsburg are level
@Dempseydumpster That's right. Wolfsburg look better now.
@BugsBunny I get a dislike for having correctly stated a tendency in the game. Freaking fan boys... :D
BFG
Christ!How many more times are Villa just going to cross the high ball into the box.It ain't working.Have they not got a plan B??
@mikers135 soesn't look so because its now 3-0
a Wonderfull goal from Sancheeeeeeeez !!
Screamer!
Özil has been invisible the first 20 minutes, but now hes at the centre of nearly every attack
After a nice spell in the middle of the first half, hes gone again in this 2nd half...:/
Hoping for a Villa win and considering the job Tim has done it wouldn't be unthinkable.
It is gonna be a tight match, by a one goal margin the most I reckon. Although we have put 8 past Aston Villa this season, nerves and memories of Hull will prevent such fluent attack this time. Honestly I do not think Walcott will score today, I think last week was a fluke, but I hope I am wrong. I envision him being subbed off for Giroud around the 70th minute when we are in need of a goal. But at the end of the day I reckon we will win 2-1. Coq the man of the match nullifying Aston Villa and Benteke to score a header which Wojciech could have saved. COYG!!!!
Go Roquelin, Man of Rock
Walcott and Wilshere seriously need to get at least half of the regular time. They're hungry for the game. A fit player with great motivation is the best kind of player. Wenger should show some cojones at last and field them in starting XI.
Arsenal the gunners is gonna win this record FA CUP 4-1 Sanchez hatrick
So i'm guessing Soton fans are rooting for the Gunners
Viva Arsenal
will the gunners wear home jersey or away jersey?
@leo.he.14 They're wearing the yellow jersey
Walcott for Giroud means game won't slow down when Giroud has the ball! Ozil will get 3 assists tomorrow and MoM guaranteed! Walcott. Sanchez x 2 and Ramsey 4 goals : Benteke x 2 goals 4:2 see you at the parade soon!
Walcott instead of Giroud please, I believe Ramsey will score and if Arsenal don't wrap the game in first half, It will be very hard to close Villa in second. Benteke will probably score too. 4:2 Arsenal! salut
pt.2- But I also expect us to control the game, 62%+ of the ball and stifle Villa attacks through the middle meaning they will have to go out wide- a potential problem for them if they adopt the 4-3-1-2 formation shown above. I don't quite agree with Villa's supposed lack of form. In reality, it was a horror show against a team which has matched it all season against the big boys and a meaningless game with all the players thinking about the final playing against an already relegated team. A typical end of season affair. Ultimately I believe our quality will tell so will predict 2-1 with Cazorla MotM but it will be a typical nervy game for the Gooners & I wouldn't be at all surprised if it goes into extra time. Would we want it any other way? ... Er yes.
Always difficult to call the final. Everything points to this being a comfortable Arsenal victory but the same was said prior to last year's final. I expect Villa's game-plan to be similar to Hull's in the early stages last year- go hard at the defence hoping to catch them cold and look to establish a defendable lead whilst looking to attack exclusively on the counter-attack thereafter. That is an absolute best case scenario for Villa but hopefully we aren't naïve, complacent & lethargic enough for that to happen. Benteke is a threat, he has as many natural attributes as any striker in the world with the exception of Messi & Ronaldo. The only 2 things stopping him being bonafide world class are playing for a club who don't provide him with enough opportunities (this has been close to rectified under Tim Sherwood's more enterprising style) and his sometimes unenthusiastic performances (a mental issue which hasn't come to the fore since Tim took over). I expect him to score... pt.1
I'm quite sure the Arsenal are the away side for this fixture as we are wearing our Yellow Away kit. I predict an Arsenal win 2-1 with Ozil winning MOTM. I hope Walcott starts for his pace and movement, and that Villa go with N'zogbia over Agbonhalor and Westwood over Carlos Sanchez. Why? Agbonhalor always plays well against us due to his pace, and Sanchez physicality could be the difference in winning the midfield battle.
@Overmars It's being played at the new Wembley, there is no home or away team. Villa won the coin toss which allowed them to wear their claret and blue. It doesn't matter, we have a famous cup history with that strip. Arsenal are probably shown first because it comes first alphabetically.
@Overmars- Yep, you are correct regarding the kits. The "cup" away kit (which has been worn only a few times) obviously clashes with the claret and blue of Villa's home kit s that was a great idea by Puma & the Arsenal PR team. I think Walcott will start after his hat trick, it's just at what position. Jackson Martinez is rumoured to be close to joining (heard that one before) so I doubt Walcott will be given the striker role he craves long term. He may be given that role for this game though with Giroud having a dip in form.
@SteveHyland Don't think Jackson will sign as its just a rumour created by his agents. Think we are after better.
@Overmars- Yeah, 99% of transfer targets are rumours put about by agents (most of the time to get a more lucrative contract for their player at their current club) but this one seems to be sicking around.I doubt Wenger will pay £25m for a 28-year old though.
I've got a £1 bet depending on this being a Villa victory!
Good work, Agent Sherwood, for giving Stevie G and Brenda the cup send off they deserved. Job done. There's a spot waiting for you on the Arsenal victory bus.
@What4 Yeah, Tim's a Gooner :D