The House That Jack Built

Wilshere's piledriver against Swansea

“There is not even a question over whether or not Arsenal's midfield is in good hands. Jack will be the England captain inside the next two or three years, you don't have to be a magician to work that one out… he's got the capacity to dribble, to pass, he will go on to become a top player of the future. There's not even a question about that.”*

These were Cesc Fabregas’ parting words of comfort to Gooners, that just as with many great players before him, the club would cope with his departure. It remains debateable just how much Cesc’s tenure with the club after Vieira left can be qualified as “coping,” but it is fair to say we were in better shape when he inherited the mantle of talisman than we are today.

Which Bourbon Will That Be Jack?

from the factory floor

FA CUP Fourth Round

Ashburton Grove

Referee: Mike Jones

Arsenal 3-2 Aston Villa                  29 January 2012

Van Persie [pen 54, pen 61]       Dunne [33]

Walcott [57]                                    Bent [45]

After 45 minutes this was a glass three quarters empty. But after an hour the glass was quite full. The usual mistakes undid us in the opening period, as the Arsenal set about this fourth round tie with purpose if not precision. Vermaelen had a rocket of a free kick punched away, Van Persie hit another into the wall, and we had yet another half of possession without much threat. It was a low key morning with most of the 4^th round program taking place on Saturday and in general the mood at the Factory was fairly amicable between us and the NY Villans. Inevitably, they went ahead when one of their numbers infiltrated our grumpy inner circle to chat with Barry.  

Aston Villa looked dangerous on the few chances they created but otherwise tried to concede possession and hit on the break. Early on, the visitors singled out Coquelin, who did well without looking fully comfortable, and Agbonlahor was proving a real handful.  I think it was their first corner, and just like in the Champions League earlier this season when Chamberlain got caught on the right, Villa pulled a little training ground short corner routine, Keane stood one up to the back post and Dunne hammered in the header over Koscielny and a couple of other red shirts. I’d moan more if it weren’t the umpteenth time it has happened in recent years.  Then again, I’d moan because of that too.