Wenger has romance of the cup at heart

by CHARLIE WEBSTER On Sky Sports News I was presenting the headline ‘Arsene Wenger complains of congestion pile up.’ Of course it was regarding the fact that Arsenal now has an extra fixture with the replay of the FA Cup 5^th round against Leyton Orient. So it’s 5 matches in 4 competitions in the space of 14 days.

That consequently brought up questions and comments to whether the FA Cup replay should be scrapped, the magic still being there or not and is a winter break needed?

The ‘winter break’ debates that crop up time and time again. Would it mean better football? Maybe even a better national team? Would it reduce the number of injuries to players? What about the tradition of football over Christmas, eating Turkey sarnies in front of the Tele watching the game? Can you imagine Turkey sarnies on Boxing Day and no football? Yes I’m struggling too.

I remember about 4 years ago Steve Gibson, Middlesbrough chairman, in total disagreement with a winter break, bringing in the argument of the players luxurious lifestyle and what a privileged profession they are in. He had a point ‘Any player complaining should come and do a 14-hour day in industrial Teesside. We’re not asking them to go to Afghanistan or Iraq, we’re asking them to play football’

What are your thoughts? A winter break of recovery or a winter break of distractions?

As for replays I’m glad Wenger has now spoken out against their termination. It’s not very often the ‘small boy’s’ gain from the world of modern ‘financial’ football. I think it’s so important that in football no matter who you support we hang on to the dreams and hopes of the FA Cup. It’s bad enough what’s happening with ticket prices and the widening gap between the fan and the game. To get rid of replays would be yet another step away from football as an every man’s game. However I do enjoy watching a penalty shoot out, if it’s not your own team of course, especially when Ashley Cole misses! Sorry Chelsea!

One thing I don’t like though is the semi-finals being played at Wembley. I know the FA need to recoup money for Wembley but it seems to take away the tradition and almost cheapens the honour and privilege of playing there.

We interviewed Ray Parlour on the show yesterday morning; I couldn’t have agreed more with what he said. First and foremost instead of going into a rant about his former club he spoke about how great a result it was for Leyton Orient. The replay is expected to bring in around £1m, providing they don’t blow it on their promised trip to Vegas then this will be fantastic for the club. Never mind fantastic even better than fantastic, an absolute lifeline for the League One side.

Parlour put a very positive spin on the extra fixture. Arsenal want to win trophies this year, not even a trophy, but plural trophies. Wenger’s side have a great chance, with 4 competitions still alive for them. The former midfielder clearly emphasised that playing games was much better than training and that’s what Arsenal are going to be doing. Over the next 2 weeks if the boss gets it right there will be a lot less on training and more on recovery and squad rotation. As Parlour put it ‘the right blend.’

It’s not just down to Wenger though all the players have got to step up and be counted. There is so much emphasis on managers at the moment; I think sometimes the players should take a bit more responsibility. One player has the ability to come on the pitch and turn the game just by their presence and determination.

Arsenal fans you could have your first bit of silverware this weekend in the Carling Cup. It may not be a Premier League title or Champions League trophy but it’s a start and what a ‘feel good’ confidence boost it would be for the squad and I’m sure all the Gunners out there.

*Anyone after tickets for the Stoke game tomorrow at the Ems email carl@arsenalinsider.com - we have access to a pair and some singles…face value.

{jcomments on} 

Charlie

More Posts