Arsenal 2 - 0 Tottenham Hotspur: Comfortably through to the next round

I think that was one of the most fun and stress-free games I've watched this season. Games against Spurs are usually lively affairs where something that causes you to stress out or get angry happens, but tonight we had enough control over the game to see things through without any major incident.

Spurs and their new manager, Sherwood, who's apparently a Gooner in case you didn't know, were in confident mood before the game, and with some justification. They had started winning again, and were starting to score more goals. They started the game well enough, passing the ball around with assurance and looking sharp in midfield, pinching the ball on the halfway line a bit too often and looking somewhat threatening on the break. Eriksen had an early chance, engineered after the ball fortunately ricocheted into his path, but he failed to convert thanks to a combination of poor finishing and good keeping from Fabiasnki. The game might have been very different had that gone in.

Arsenal, though, always looked a threat. People were worried about the changes to the side, but our passing was quick and penetrative. Spurs' two man midfield of Dembele and Bentoleb struggled against our superior numbers and their movement, and their defence didn't appear to be comfortable with Walcott's constant attempts to get down the side of them and in behind them. Sherwood has been praised for playing 4-4-2 and being positive, but tonight that just played into our hands.

The space they afforded us for our first goal was massive. As we played our way around their pressure, Gnabry made a run into a wide open space down Spurs' left. Spurs' deepest midfielder, Bentoleb, was already marking Rosicky, while Walcott was making a darting run behind the centre backs, which meant that they couldn't pick up Gnabry. Sagna became a spare man down the right as Eriksen was caught in a narrow position after an attack, and it was he who played the ball into Gnabry. When Gnabry receiveed it, he was in acres of space. He ran at Spurs' defence, while Walcott made a run that dragged one of the centre backs away, which forced Walker to come out of his position to press, which in turn left Cazorla free. Gnabry picked out him very well, and Cazorla produced an outstanding finishing, striking the ball in the way we know he can.

Encouragingly, Arsenal had other chances in the first half. Gnabry curled an effort just over, while Walcott got three strikers on Lloris' goal; one was a good effort after from outside the area after he did well to control a hard pass, one was saved after his first touch took the ball a bit too wide of the goal while the other was a left footed shot that was deflected. Walcott has been written off as a central player due to his inability to hold the ball up and move in a way that helps the team, and tonight there were instances where he lost a bit easily, but overall he was a massive threat with his pace and movement.

In the second half, Spurs improved a little but failed to create any worthwhile chances. The scariest moment was when Adebayor was allowed to control a cross in the centre of our penalty area, but fortunately he lost his footing and the chance came to nothing. We defended very well, and carried a threat going forward still, though the second goal was gifted to us. Danny Rose lost the ball on the halfway line, Rosicky picked it up, ran towards goal and finished smartly to double the lead; those sorts of chances look easy, but aren't due to the amount of time the ball carrier to make a decision, and Rosicky did very well to convert it.

We played the remaining ten or so minutes with ten men due to making all our subs before Walcott was stretchered off. Given the way he's playing now, we all sincerely hope that it's nothing more than just a knock and not something more serious such as stretched ligaments. He looked in good spirits as he was being carried off, and gave us all a great moment when he trolled the Spurs' fans after being bombarded by coins and, no doubt, given some form of abuse. We saw out this period without any major scares.

And that's that. A very enjoyable game, with a great result and performance where the only concerns are the well-being of Vermaelen and Walcott. We're through to the next round of the cup and it's our fourth win on the bounce, so we maintain our momentum ahead of a decent run of fixtures. The Villa game is nine days away, so hopefully Ozil and Giroud, as well as the rest of the side, will be well-rested and prepared to give us another win.

On another note, Serge Gnabry did very well and could potentially be a useful option to have should, god forbid, Walcott be out for any significant length of time, and Chamberlain not quite re-find his form after returning from injury.

The draw for the fourth round is tomorrow evening. No doubt we'll get another tough one.

What a fantastic performance and win. It was a really enjoyable match from our perspective. Easy, nothing too difficult and a complete team effort.

We were effectively 9 men around the last 10 minutes and yet never in any sort of danger. It must be said that Mertesacker coming on was probably the reason for that because early on Adebayor and Soldado looked a bit threatening in terms of running behind. Vermaelen-Koscielny has never worked. It's either Mertesacker and Vermaelen or Mertesacker and Koscielny.

In any case. Walcott was upfront and did brilliant. His runs were great and if Ozil was playing then he would have score few more. Rosicky was outstanding.

And completely agreed with Jay on Gnabry. He was fantastic and he can be someone who can come in for Walcott at RW. He obviously doesn't have his finishing and ability to run in behind but he was so good today. Created a lot of chances(got an assist) and dribbling was brilliant.


Regarding Tottenham in case any spurs fan are reading. Tim Sherwood came in with a completely wrong idea and plan. 4-4-2 away at Arsenal is a disaster. We play with 5 midfielders. Most of them thrive playing in between the lines and today that was so obvious in regards to the chances we created and how easy it was for us to dominate and dictate the play.

We might get a big team this time.

I do not believe that Rosicky is 33. This man is lying. He's been a pro since the age of 10.

Rosicky ran around like a 20 year old olympic athlete.

Incredible. New contract please.

1 Dog year = 7 Human years
1 Cat year = 6 Human years
1 Gerbil year = 16 human years
1 Human year = 0.5 Tomas Rosicky years

Wenger was asked does Walcott's injury leave him short up front. "We are short because he's not very tall."

Always good to beat that shower of shit from down the road. Completely dominated Speeerz in midfield. Rosicky, Santi and Gnabry were just devastating. There was just so much space between the lines.  I liked how Jack was just laying it into them in the first half, people will say that they don't like it but you need that passion and aggression in games like this. It rubs off other players as well.

We should have probably won by more, Theo missed two clear sitters. Man of the match is tough one because Rosicky, Santi and Gnabry were just outstanding

I hope Theo is not out for long, he was starting to regain a bit of form as well. We have won 4 games during the festive period while missing key players like Ramsey and Giroud. I agree with Theo that we are not getting enough credit   

LOL, Troll day all around at the Arsenal camp

Such a fun match to watch.. Walcott is just great. Hope he is fine. And Rozza   .. The man is 33 and he plays like he's 19. Plz arsene extend him.

l really hope Wenger goes all out for this cup this year. l really want us to win this. We can lf we try.

RealGunner wrote:Wenger was asked does Walcott's injury leave him short up front. "We are short because he's not very tall."

  Sir Weng!! You know things are good when he's cracking jokes

legend

Now that would be a good statue...

Our best performance since Cardiff away (3-0) many were saying on Twitter. I agree. We were brilliant. Wenger got the team spot on ,

Gnabry was excellent, Fabianski made a crucial save early on, Cazorla, Wilshere & Rosicky linked up superbly, Arteta held the midfield together perfectly and Walcott up top was a constant thorn in the Spurs defence.

Delighted for Rosicky. Pray he gets a new deal. Cazorla's finish was incredible too - so good on both feet.

9 day gap now until Villa.

Agree Samuelj but I also thought Monreal was excellent. Really solid defensively and a threat going forward.

Agreed

Monreal shut down both Lennon n Walker all by himself

furiouswindbottom wrote:Agree Samuelj but I also thought Monreal was excellent. Really solid defensively and a threat going forward.

best I have see from him this season, good way to respond after that shocker he had against City

Sir Chesny

Great performance, really sad for Theo, annoyed with ll these injuries. Theo should not be rushed back Gnabry can replace him for now.

Its time to offer Rosicky and Sagna improved contracts, Rosicky is a joy to watch. If we dont resign them its would a sad day for Arsenal.

Glorious performance even though Time Sherwood came in with wrong tactics.

I noticed something (may be wrong) but having guys like Scz, Wilshere , Walcott , Gibbs etc who joined us either really young or came from our youth team is giving us more passion in derbies like this.
These guys get what a game like this means to the fans and are responding accordingly.

Oh and renew Sagna and Rosicky's contracts.

Saw a tweet related to this which interested me

IF we had Soldado instead of Spurs and he was playing upfront for us. How would
1) Arsenal be doing in comparison to the matches Giroud has been playing in
2) Soldado be doing in comparison to Giroud himself

?

much much easier than i though   

Fabianskis Distribution early on was a bit off but pulled of a good save
Sagna was the monster that he is
lol at Ade trying to run at kos who had some key interceptions

Jacks 1st half wasnt satisfying but played with great passion
Rozzas final ball could have been better at times but still a Great performance and Great role model for younger playars

we could have been more efficient and Humiliate these bunch but nonetheless Great win

also so good that one hit wonder scrub in the Name of Rose got such a Night-mare moment and was punished so badly

i wouldnt take Soldado for free

props to Gnabry   not phased at all and put in a very mature  performance >>>Draxler RG

Pires after the game:"Gnabry was superb. Only 18, what a talent. I see him in training,he's one of the most gifted players in the squad"

Tomas Rosicky is just amazing. He does not get enough credit. He lifts the tempo of the team, intense pressing, amazing stamina for a 33 yr old. His diagonal balls really catches the opponents out so many times. This season he's performed much better than our "star" midfield players. If only he was 5 years younger.

Please sign up Rosicky, the man clearly wants to retire here and we've been treated to some of his best in the last 2 seasons. Reminds me of the Rozza we paid BVB for. What. A. Performance! We've not had a legend retire at Arsenal in over a decade. About effin' time.

Theo. What a legend in the making! That 2-0 troll was so bloody damn brilliant! Made my evening!

I wouldn't take Soldado over Giroud. He isn't a bad player, but Giroud just brings so much more to this team. Soldado would have had a better season if we had signed him though. Wenger has the knack of making even mediocre players achieve/perform beyond what they can in other club environments.

Soldado would be bagging goals like no tomorrow in your team. You guys would fit in decently well with him. The only bad thing would be his link up play, which I've been impressed with since he's come to the EPL.

He hasn't shown it, but the man can finish. I just don't know why his link up/play outside the box has improved and his finishing worsened since he's come to Spurs. I guess the former because he had to adapt and Spurs weren't giving him much service...the latter I have no idea about.

Walcott loved him today although he was very selfish. Gnabry

Soldado wouldn't be much better with us because of his poor link-up play. I didn't find his hold-up play that impressive either.

One of the most enjoyable matches of the season, Rosicky was my man of the match without a doubt. Gnabry was fantastic and could have had more assists but Rozza was everywhere and didn't give them time on the ball at all, in that was he Rose to the occasion.

I love how Wenger took the time to greet a fan before the match too:

http://i.minus.com/iJBTY1HocLcCB.gif

Serge that strength