all in looking forward at Arsenal vs Huddersfeild Town, FA Cup 4th round tie on Sunday 30th January 2011 at the Emirates Stadium.
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Following the FA Cup 3rd round 1-1 draw at the Emirates against Leeds, a result that lead to extra duty in the form of a replay, many thought that the extensive changes made to the team were to blame for the narrow escape at the dead- thanks to a penalty won by Walcott and converted by Cesc Fabregas.
A disjointed team, lackluster play and inhibited creativity. It was no surprise that the lack of harmony resulted in victory deserting Arsenal on the day. Credit to Leeds though, they deserved that point at the least.
Sunday, fourth round FA Cup against Huddersfeild Town. Yet again, squad rotation is expected with the likes of Ces Fabregas, Robin Van Persie, Samir Nasri and Jack Wilshere probably making the squad as substitutes.
Chamakh should take charge leading the attack. The Moroccan looks like the best beanpole/target man Arsenal have had in so long. It is said that the former Bordeux man adds a different angle to Arsenal's play. With a return of 7 goals and 2 assists over 20 games in his first season in English football, Chamakh should continue his integration and education at Arsenal.
At this juncture where the exploits of Chamakh are still fresh in our minds, allow me to digress and mention the progress of arsenal old boy Emanuel Adebayor. The Togolese is on loan at Madrid obstinately to cover for the injured Gonzalo Higuain and ineffective Karim Benzema, having failed to fit at Manchester City.
Making loose associations, this transfer brings to light several aspects of Wenger's management of talent over the recent past. Key among them is Wenger's apparent embarrassing wealth in talent - the talent packed in Arsenal's first 25 is probably rivaled only by Manchester City only that Arsenal's case is minus fat check payouts in transfer fees and player salaries.
When you consider that Bendtner is likely to feature against Huddersfeild- in a unconventional role playing not only on the wing but off the main striker- the picture that I am painting gets clearer.
Bendtner's goal against Ipswich- a goal that leveled the Carling Cup Semi-final tie allowing for the killer punch to be delivered to the stubborn Championship side from Portman road who through industry and ream spirit had manged to keep Arsenal's attack at bay for more than 120 minutes of football - showed hints of what King Henry must have been referring to some years back when he was on his way to Barcelona.
Thierry Henry was confident that the likes of Bendtner, I believe only 19 at the time, had what it took to fill his huge boots at Arsenal- just to be petty, Bendtner not Adebayor. In spite of such talent only managing to find a spot on the bench at Arsenal, there are those among us who still question Wengernomics.
Moreover, starting with Birmingham at Wembley on the 27th of next month in the Carling Cup final, it seems that the quadrupole could be the first fruits of the 5 year transformation at Arsenal under master Arsene Wenger.
Over with my wondering thoughts; back to an issue that gunners have been debating over most of this January. With Squillaci passed fit for Sunday's FA Cup tie against Huddersfeild, the feeling from Arsene Wenger's pre-game interview is that Arsenal won't be signing a new player this January transfer period.
Besides, the return of Abou Diaby and Tomas Rosicky plus the trickle of good news coming from Varmaelen's recovery make up the other welcome news concerning players.
Fabio Capello has jumped on to the Jack Wilshere bandwagon labeling the 18yr old as England's future while Aaron Ramsey steps up his preparations to return to 1st team football in his second loan spell since breaking his leg- this time at Cardiff City- his eagerness shows in his refusal at choosing to extend his stay.
Arsenal vs Huddersfeild Town: Intertwined History
Current Arsenal- Huddersfeild connection lies in 17yr old Benik Afobe who is on his third month on loan at the league one outfit. Unlike Sanchez Watt who got the opportunity to face his own club in a competitive match in the Leeds game, Benik Afobe is ineligible to play on Sunday as per the loan terms and in lieu of an injury that he has been nursing the past few weeks.
In Arsenal great Herbert Chapman lies the other connection.
On May 11th 1924, Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz merged to form luxury car giant Mercedes- Benz. That same year, May 29th saw the formation of AEK Athens FC during the anniversary of the siege of Constantinople by the Turks.
That year- 1924, and next, 1925 -when the Italian army took over now war torn pirate patrolled Somalia (set to 'celebrate' 20 years of civil strife this January), Herbert Chapman lead Huddersfeild Town to successive league titles.
In the troughs of the great depression, Herbert Chapman left the North West heading to London ; leading Arsenal soon after, to it's first major trophy.
On Sunday when Arsene leads out the current Arsenal side to face Huddersfeild Town- mind made up on restoring on the pitch success following a six year trophy drought- it will be close to 81 years to the day when Chapman overcame his old club Huddesfeild Town in the FA Cup final to guide Arsenal to it's first ever competitive trophy win.
1930 it was, the year that marks when the time first football World Cup ever was held in Uruguay. In 1931 and 1933, Herbert Chapman delivered league success for Arsenal before his untimely death in 1934.
Andrei Arshavin reassures the fans
Gunners have been irritated, confused and disgusted by the form of the 29 year old Russian. Opinions have ranged from the far fetched – like the Russian's involvement in the bid winning Russia 2018 delegation might have lead to premature feeling of self actualization thus the carelessness and torrid uninterested display.
Speaking to the Official Matchday Programme, Andrei Arshavin sought to reassure the fans, some who have been calling for him to be let go the Adebayor way.
"It’s true that, at the moment, I’m not happy with how I’m playing...I feel that I’m making mistakes that I shouldn’t be - not giving good passes and losing a lot of balls. It’s hard to give reasons but I am working hard to get back to my best and am confident it will come.
It’s an unusual situation because I’m not used to being on the bench this much. Maybe I had one period like this back at Zenit St Petersburg but it was a bit shorter. I can’t complain when the team is doing this well, though - our recent form in the league has been excellent"The Opponent
In Huddersfeild Town, a kinder opponent than say Leeds. Sitting third in the third tier six points off the leaders, Lee Clark's team are vying for promotion into the championship for a second season in a row having lost out to Milwall in 2009/2010 playoffs.
A side that prefers to attack- complete with overlapping wing players, such an approach at The Emirates may mean a FIFA playstation score, in light of a rather porous defense.
Though pundits elect that Huddersfeild town are unlikely to switch to a more familiar approach of packing the bus as most visiting teams to the Emirates opt, being a knockout tie in the world's oldest cup competition the passion of the lads from Galpharm should not be underestimated as this is enough to make a game of this fourth round tie. Either way, the television revenues accrued for reaching this stage of the competition should be a worthy consolation prize.
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