Santi Cazorla produced flashes of his exceptional talent but not nearly enough for a man bought to provide the midfield inspiration that has been missing since Cesc Fabregas’ departure. Aaron Ramsey’s form continues to slump in line with his confidence. Lukas Podolski, after a bright start at the Emirates, is increasingly anonymous. Gervinho, regardless of an occasional showing which offers a tease of what might be, was not up to the task of breaking down a League Two defence.
These are all familiar concerns for Gunners, but Tuesday night belonged to Bradford and men such as their captain Gary Jones. A deserved recipient of the man-of-the-match award, the 35 year-old has spent a 15 year career as a consistently reliable lower-league professional, predominantly with Rochdale. In direct opposition to Wilshere and Cazorla he was a colossus for his team, winning an infinite number of tackles and working tirelessly to stem the supply into the Gunners forward line. Jones’ set-piece accuracy led to Garry Thompson’s goal and saw him unerringly crash home one of Bradford’s three successful penalties in the shoot-out.
When considering past occasions on which Arsenal have suffered in a similarly chastening manner, their 1992 late collapse in an F.A. Cup tie at Wrexham’s creaking but boisterous old Racecourse Ground springs immediately to mind. The situation then was far removed from that which Wenger faces today. George Graham’s reigning champions controlled large spells of the match only to be undone by two never to be forgotten goals from Mickey Thomas and Steve Watkin.
The early nineties Arsenal had an iron will running through their team and responded by winning not only the same competition, but also the League Cup, the following year. Nevertheless, our love of a cup upset means that to the football public, Thomas’ free-kick and that evocative day live far longer in the memory than either of Arsenal’s triumphs 18 months later.
Likewise, we remember far more readily the cup finals won by a clear underdog. Coventry City’s conquering of Tottenham Hotspur, and Wimbledon’s crazy gang toppling Liverpool, both in the late 1980’s, as well as Luton Town’s contemporary vanquishing of Arsenal in the League Cup final are recalled with a degree of fondness that can’t be matched by even the most thrilling of matches between familiar contestants.
It doesn’t require an outright titan to suffer for an unexpected result to create widespread joy. A mere 18 months after their Wembley victory, Coventry themselves were the victims as, incredibly, on one of those previously mentioned quagmire playing surfaces in an unwelcoming nuts-and-bolts ground, they were beaten 2-1 at non-league Sutton United. How many people who can still clearly picture that famous 3rd round day would require a snippet of research to call to mind how the U’s fared in the next stage? They were thumped 8-0 at Norwich City.
It is a truth that the football devotee will reminisce Colchester United 3 Leeds United 2, Hereford United 2 Newcastle United 1, Bournemouth 2 Manchester United 0, Crystal Palace 4 Liverpool 3, Shrewsbury Town 2 Everton 1, Swindon Town 3 Arsenal 1 and Scarborough 3 Chelsea 2 with far greater enthusiasm than Manchester United 2 Bayern Munich 1, Liverpool beating AC. Milan in a Champions League final, or high-octane league encounters such as Arsenal winning 5-3 at Stamford Bridge, or any number of goal-filled Manchester, Merseyside or North London derbies. Those matches fought out by the superpowers belong to them alone.
The great cup shocks are the occasions we can all enjoy, forgetting for a moment the tribulations or otherwise of our own teams. Furthermore, these occasions remind us why we love the game. For all the dominance and opulence of a select band of clubs, in a one-off contest absolutely nothing is for certain. It is that wonderful unpredictability that keeps us coming back for more.
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Lets get over it pals,the lesson had been learned.love the Goners.