Highbury, Saturday 10th March 2001
FA Cup 6th round
Scorers: Wiltord (2)
Adams (5)
Pires 41
Arsenal:
Seaman
Dixon Adams Luzhny Cole
Pires (Vieira 69) Grimandi Lauren Ljungberg (Silvinho 65)
Wiltord Bergkamp (Henry 69)
See also NewsReel report, and list of
links to reports on other sites, below.
An easy win for the Gunners, which was never in doubt after the opening 5
minutes. Of course had Bent made more of his chance in the opening
seconds things might have been different, however he didn't.
The first goal came from fast passing and moving into space: Lauren picked
out Pires on the right wing, he controlled it and whipped in a low ball to
Wiltord. Wiltord had managed to escape all five or six Blackburn players
in the area and hit a first time shot low that scraped the upright: any
further across and Friedel may have got to it, it was a perfect shot.
The replays on the big screens (and on TV later) showed that he had to
bend it round a defender too. It looked a much simpler chance the first
time.
That shut up the Blackburn fans behind the goal for a few seconds. Not
much later and we won a corner which Ashley put onto Tony Adam's head.
Again despite the attentions of 2 markers there wasn't much of a
challenge, and we were 2-0 up. Time to go down a gear and wait for the
last 85 minutes to end.
In the first half Pires and Bergkamp were brilliant: Pires looks so much
more comfortable on the right than the left. Bergkamp came close to
scoring: one memorable chip forced an excellent save from Friedal to tip
the ball over the bar. Bergkamp is close to his best, but needs a goal.
You get the feeling that if he can get one in more will follow.
After going 2 up we let Rovers have the ball in their own half for a bit.
They didn't really do very much.
Our third goal after 36 minutes was delightful: a cross from Wiltord deep
on the left to Pires in the penalty area. Two touches, one to control the
ball and the second to put it in the net. This came just after I was
chatting to one of the people next to me about how putting Pires on the
right seems to reduce the number of efforts he has on goal.
The Rovers' band stopped again. This time for the rest of the first half.
I don't recall if the two penalty claims were at 2-0 or 3-0 (I blame the
beer afterwards) but Blackburn had a claim turned down when Berkovic
decided to fall over in the box. I don't think it was a foul, but it
would have been one of those you have to accept if it were given.
Breaking out from that Arsenal got forward and Bergkamp was clearly fouled
in the opposite area, but the referee gave nothing. He wasn't well
positioned for either (tho' better than me in the crowd obviously) and I
think he was still worrying about the first incident when Bergkamp was
bought down. Still it was totally irrelevant to the result -- he did have a
quiet chat with both "fouled" players. Wonder what he said.
The second half: dire. Bergkamp and Pires were anonymous. Ljungberg
didn't look as busy as he had in the first half. The back four lacked
concentration on several occasions, and Tony seemed to be thinking about
the Bayern game. When Henry came on he looked very keen to score,
unfortunately no-one else wanted to risk getting hurt or tired. I do have
to say that bringing on two world cup winners (Vieira and Henry) for two
world class players (Pires and Bergkamp) must have emphasised the gulf in
quality between the first division and us.
Arsenal did enough to win. Three scares: firstly when McAteer cushioned
the ball on his arms and "scored". I am told Cole kicked the ball onto
his arms, but if a player puts his arms in front of him to cushion the
ball and the ball hits his arms it is hand ball. Didn't need to handle it
either. Second, Seaman saved well from Dunn who had beaten our rather
half hearted offside trap. Thirdly Bent hit the post in injury time from a
really wicked shot. We were lucky to keep the clean sheet, but being
equally honest Blackburn got what they deserved: nothing.
One final rant: why did Blackburn take 2000 more tickets than they could
sell? That meant 2000 Gooners were kept out. As for the Blackburn fans
who tried to ridicule us when the capacity was read out: look at the Clock
End on the highlights. They didn't really raise the atmosphere: after
their team rolled over and died it was never going to match the atmosphere
at the Spartak game.
Now then I mustn't gloat when I next see the Blackburn branch of my
in-laws, and we face Spurs in the semi.
report by Mike Pitt
Preview
- Possible replay
If a replay is required, it (according to Soccernet) will be on Monday
19th at Ewood Park. The match at Villa Park (scheduled for live coverage on Sky)
would then be moved
forward from the Sunday to Saturday 17th. Apparently this is because
the following week is an Internationals week, which could presumably mean
we'd be missing a player or 2.
- Arsenal team news
Ray Parlour is back in training but likely not to be risked so as
to ensure his availability for Munich. On the other hand
recent good showings from Lauren Ljungberg and Pires could keep him out on
Wednesday anyway, so maybe he'll be given a chance to prove his fitness
against Blackburn.
Henry is a slight doubt having picked up a Lineker (toe injury).
Kanu is on international duty, Nigeria play Ghana on Sunday.
This is all bad news for Dennis, as it means there's less chance of him
getting a rest.
Silvinho only got back from international duty on Friday,
but will still be in contention. Edu is ruled out with a
hamstring injury.
Keown still isn't back yet.
- Blackburn_Rovers team news
Souness rested a few players in the replay in midweek, and there are
suggestions that he may do the same even against Arsenal. Rovers have a
big league match against Birmingham City on Wednesday, and Souness has
said that it's more important.
Keeper John Filan is a major doubt with a knee injury, but
Brad Friedel's been starting recently anyway, and they have
Alan Kelly in reserve.
Midfielders Duff and Dunn both face late fitness tests but are expected to be ok. Craig Short is suspended, and Keith Gillespie is cup-tied.
Henning Berg is likely to return to the side in Short's absence.
- non-UK TV coverage
- Norway: live on NRK1.
(thanks to Eirik for the info)
- USA: live on Setanta Sport. kick-off 10am EST/7am PST.
This can't be ordered on PPV at home, you need to find a Setanta-licenced
bar that's showing it.
(thanks to Lawrence for the info)
- For details, and countries not listed above, see the
non-UK TV FAQ
- See also
Other reports
Your reports
- Please note that any website can get its match report(s) listed on these
pages, simply by
emailing us
the URL.
- We will go looking for reports, but none are guaranteed to make
it into the list unless emailed to us.
- Also, URLs which are emailed
to us will head to the top of the list (after links to AFCi and Arseweb's
newsreel report).
- Reports for publication on this page from Arsenal fans are always welcomed (as are any
features/stories/whatever that you'd like to see published on ArseWeb).
Useful links for armchair fans
Useful links for swivel-chair fans
- Arsenal Live. getting commentary
on your computer, IRC, Real Audio, etc.
- Note also that often there will be an audio feed available
from the opposition's website (most probably their official site).
Useful links for travelling fans
- ArseWeb's highbury pages, including ticket info, getting to the ground, etc.
- AwayFans.co.uk. Stadium reviews and info. Maps, traffic reports, pub lists, info on disabled/wheelchair provisions, etc. Conference teams as well as Premiership and Nationwide.
- London football Arsenal page from
a site focussing on info for fans from abroad wanting to get to matches (tickets,
travel, accomodation, etc).
- From the Terrace. Each team's section includes a page on their ground, with directions. Premiership, Nationwide, and Scottish.
- AwayGuide.net. Directions, maps, pub guides. All Premiership and Nationwide league teams.
- Football Ground Guide. Lovely site, loads of info, pics, diagrams, etc
- Football Grounds of England. With capacities, record gates, and pictures.
- Football Grounds frenzy. Wonderful photos of football grounds, with a little info too. Everything apart from
glitzy new grounds, and no Premiership ones. Might be handy for Cup games, and
certainly nice to look at!
- FanZone.
Information for travelling sports fans. directions, car parks, eateries,
pubs, blah-de-blah....
- Our own Highbury pages for useful info for Arsenal's home games.
|