Arsenal News 24/7Writer: Rocky7 
Date:Sunday January 6 2013
Time: 12:40PM
UK time is: 16:48:06
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Team News: Swansea vs Arsenal
As the media take great delight in reminding us, the FA Cup is the last trophy Arsenal won way back in 2005 (the day of my stag-night, meaning we haven`t won anything since I got married, I`m blaming the Mrs), and today the mighty Gunners enter the tournament at the 3rd round stage as we travel to Swansea.
Most of the big boys have already made their way into the hat for the next round of the draw (albeit a couple of them still requiring a replay to see if they can progress) we travel to Wales to see if we can gain victory over a side that have proved a little problematic for us over the last couple of games.
The latest clash between the pair took place only a couple of weeks ago with The Swans fully deserving their 2-0 victory over a very lacklustre Arsenal.
We`ve since gone on a bit of a mini-run but have looked anything but convincing, even losing to bottom tier club Bradford City in the quarter finals of the League Cup.
Today represents a chance to progress in a tournament that is probably our last shot at silverware this season (no, I don`t believe we can win the Champions League, shocking eh?).
Let`s check out the line up for the game.
Arsenal team: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Arteta, Wilshere, Ramsey, Walcott, Cazorla, Giroud
Arsenal substitutes: Martinez, Vermaelen, Santos, Coquelin, Rosicky, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Podolski
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Your Comments
No Rosicky in the starting line-up, no Jenks at all .... have these players been struggling? They'd be perfect for this match imo. Hard workers, Rosicky is a driving force, we need to keep a high tempo. Disapointed he's not playing.
Rocky7
Jenkinson injured apparently.
Rocky7
Yet another crap half. Can we see Rosicky now please?
Rocky7
2-2 FT. A replay we really could have done without, and one that is almost entirely our own fault. Amateurish defending after we fought back from a goal down to take the lead. Much better in the second half going forward is one of the positives.
Rocky7
Bloody annoying. The ref handed them the game with that free kick against Arteta though. Still, I can't believe Arteta just bloody standing there watching the Graham take his shot. Should start putting some players in goal in training after things like that, perhaps they'll learn some defensive play and how to close up the space for a cross/shot since they're so inept at the moment.
Arsenales F.C
No hands of course the silly gits. Teach them to get their bodies in the path of that ball, and make them run laps for every goal they concede. When our player, our main DM no less, just stands there in front of a player and watches him turn and shoot it's gone too far. 5 minutes in goal for each git, no hands, no pass restrictions, 10+ laps for every goal they concede, make them learn how to close the space a player has to make a decision. Same story all season - crosses, shots and passes come too easily to our opposition.
Arsenales F.C
Arteta.. very very disappointed by him.
Sajit
Some good signs in that game. Some poor ones too of course. Thank heavens that in Szczesny we do have a genuinely top flight keeper. A mistake for him to duck under that equaliser from Graham though. Should have stood up longer. Gibbs did well on the left but Sagna ran his legs off down the right and did some good defensive work centrally at times. He must be running on empty by now. Important player though. With Giroud and Walcott we really play as a 4-4-2 which means Cazorla plays too far from goal. Wilshere fetched, carries and competed very well but he doesn't really seem to have an eye for the final ball.
Amos.
There was some evidence of players closing down space in this game that was heartening to see, but its not enough. There's still far too much ball-watching going on, as was exemplified by Swansea's second goal. Not sure how our players are taught to tackle but nicking the ball without fouling an opponent doesn't appear to come naturally. On the plus side I thought Gibbs had a great game, but Sagna...oh dear. His pace has really gone. Too many mince pies perhaps.
Wyn Mills
Podolski surely deserves a stint in the centre after this game. He just instinctively knows where the net is. Wasted on the wing for me.
Wyn Mills
Sagna has never had 2-3 poor games in a row before, and that's why the recent poor run is an eye sore. No doubt that this is only a blip. Gibbs needs to improve his defensive work - superb finish for the goal though. Szczesny was solid, but there was one where he left his near post exposed but the RB skewed his shot wide. That could have been very embarrassing. Great 2nd half for the team offensively - this team lacks confidence, no one wants to take a shot at the goalie, there is so much hesitation. Defending was awful for both goals - Poldi, what was he thinking, heading the ball into the box from the corner. Glad we got away with a replay. This is our best chance at a trophy, win against Swansea and we have an easier game vs Brighton lined up.
prits
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