R.I.P The FA Cup/Man United 4-0 Arsenal

Yesterday marked the start of the FA Cup being a less meaningful competition. I am not saying that because we lost, it is the conclusion I came to prematch when I saw both line ups. They were both depleted, ours more so but Man United were not treating this like they would should they face us in the league or Champion’s league either. Both saw their midweek Champion’s league fixtures as the priority. You can say we were down to our bare bones and while that is partially true, players like Adebayor and Flamini I am willing to bet were only out with knocks, the sort of minor stuff that you would risk in an important game. The FA Cup still retains some importance, it remains after all the premiership cup competition in England but it is firmly priority number three and I am of the belief that its importance is on a downward decline.

Man United beat us 4-0 and it was a predictable result in hindsight. I seriously worried for our full backs most of all. Losing both was a huge blow. Hoyte and Traore are competent but inexperienced. We lost something defensively and offensively. There can be no doubt that Sagna and Clichy have both played a huge part in our success this season. That for me was the main factor. Thank god Ronaldo was not playing as he would have pissed all over both. More worryingly Wenger has hinted Clichy was the most serious injured player included in the squad and Sagna is odds on to miss Milan also with his frame of mind not being right following the rumored death of his brother. If we play Traore and Hoyte against AC Milan midweek I am confident we will lose. Playing Hoyte and Clichy or Sagna and Traore will not be so terrible but losing either is a blow, losing both is an almighty whack in the teeth.

Mentally we wasn’t on the ball either. Man United were up for this following their defeat to Man City. They had something to prove. We on the other hand did not seem nearly as bothered.

There is absolutely no need to get too worked up over this result. We missed Sagna, Clichy, Flamini, Rosicky, Adebayor. Not to mention Robin Van Persie. This was not a full strength Arsenal line up and it was not something oh so important at stake. Not anymore at least.

Man United played well but even if we had lost, with Sagna and Clichy the scoreline would have been nowhere near as bad. There were other factors too but I think the loss of our regular full backs cannot be underestimated. When we go to Old Trafford in the league we should do an awful lot better, the players will give more of a toss not to mention they will be seeking revenge and we should see the return of a near full strength XI.

The positive here is that we have no new injuries and I am happier with that than I would be with a win. It’s the same with what happened at White Hart Lane, were this the Champion’s League or the Premier League I would be seriously pissed off, fuming still even now probably but no, it’s not hard to see why and how we lost. Fair play to Man United who were good but we will not be such a walkover when we face them next.