Morning all.
Let’s begin right this moment with the FA Cup quarter-final draw which befell final night time, and our opponents will likely be Southampton away from house. When you think about the opposite Premier League opposition we might have confronted, it’s one other comparatively type one. And, whereas I at all times say you may by no means take something with no consideration, for those who’re inclined to consider that the celebrities may be aligning for Arsenal this season, the actual fact Man Metropolis have gotten Liverpool may very well be one other little sign up that regard.
The sport takes place on the weekend of the 4th/fifth April, with time and date but to be determined. That’s the primary sport again after the Interlull, and if we progress within the Champions League, it might be adopted by a quarter-final first leg towards both Sporting or Bodo/Glimt. It’s additionally price noting that ought to we beat Southampton, the semi-finals are scheduled to happen on April twenty fifth, which is the day of our house sport towards Newcastle, which must be rescheduled. I do know there are individuals on the market who will likely be planning, or have already made plans for that weekend, so heads-up there.
The complete draw is as follows:
Southampton v Arsenal
Chelsea v Port Vale
Manchester Metropolis v Liverpool
West Ham v Leeds United
I don’t assume this can really occur, however my best situation would see Port Vale beat a Chelsea facet who’re decreased to 9 males within the first half as a result of they’re hooked on crimson playing cards (and likewise twats). West Ham will beat Man Metropolis within the different semi-final because of a aim from former Gunner Konstantinos Mavropanos who, within the strategy of scoring, injures about 6 of their gamers. Pep stands disconsolate on the sideline, doing that bizarre spitting factor he does, earlier than coming into his press convention sporting a Daft Punk helmet and speaking solely about how the privitisation of public companies has been a catastrophe, and urging most people to revolt towards, and to focus on, billionaires like Sir Jimmy at Man Utd (regardless of the actual fact he will get his pay-cheque from quatriollionaires who personal a complete nation).
Then, lastly, Arsenal (and by extension) me, may have revenge for 1980, when West Ham beat us within the FA Cup closing. It would have been a very long time coming, the scars may need pale on the floor but it surely doesn’t take a lot to scratch at these outdated wounds, and we’ll have Martin Keown, crimson and white scarf twirling round his head, on commentary saying, “Trevor Brooking. Alan Devonshire. Paul Allen. Danny Dyer. Ray Winstone. Another bloke from EastEnders. 16.34% of all London black cab drivers. Your boys took a hell of a beating!”
I don’t assume that’s an excessive amount of to ask for. I used to be 9 in 1980, and whereas after profitable the cup 1979 then dropping the next yr actually gave me a grounding in on how soccer can raise you up then kick you within the bollix in equal measure, I’ve been stewing on this for a protracted, very long time. I do know, I ought to let it go. An excessive amount of time has handed, and there are worse issues occurring on the planet, however please don’t underestimate my means to harbour a grudge in probably the most extraordinarily petty manner attainable.
There’s a tapas restaurant in Dublin that I walked into someday about 10 years in the past to ask if they’d a desk. The girl was mildly impolite to me when she stated they have been absolutely booked out, and I steadfastly refuse to return. They actually don’t care, nor ought to they offer me a second thought. It’s a busy spot and it seems to be like they do effectively, however each time I stroll previous it I furrow my forehead barely and make a small want that they get a foul batch of mussels or one thing. I’m Señor Grudge after I wish to be, so if the universe can appropriate a sport of soccer that occurred practically 46 years in the past, then I’m prepared to simply accept that present.
Proper, I’m gonna depart it there for now. We would get some early staff information forward of the Champions League sport tomorrow a bit later earlier than the staff journey to Germany, however we’ll carry you preview podcast on Patreon this afternoon with some give attention to Bayer Leverkusen and what we will anticipate from them.
Till then, have a very good one of us.
