We are Arsenal! I have for ages used that phrase, well even when the likes of Aston Villa, Stoke,Blackburn and Swansea ended up embarrassing the mighty Gunners. Yes we made it! first win in Manchester in the last four years, First team to beat City with over two goals at Etihad since 2010, yeah when none other than Wenger put them to sword, via Nasri, Song and Lord Bendtner.
That's who we are, record breakers. But how exactly did the Arsenal perform their magic inside the defending champions backyard? here's the breakdown: Wenger for the first time in recent years decided to bow to fans' pressure and employed a much unfamiliar tactic, which in the end probably seduced Wenger to do a replay of it against the 'big guns'.
'Keep the ball, we'll have the goals' should be the name of the tactic, which was evident at the Etihad. Arsenal had just 36% of the possession but neither a golf faithful nor a volleyball fanatic can fathom how a team accustomed to less balls and more huffing and puffing can ideally win in a convincing manner.But again, we are Arsenal.
Let's talk about Cazorla, shall we? 16 games ago, no one ever thought this little magician would earn Wenger's faith and be a regular team player , following a number of poor performances coupled by lack of spark in his dribbles, decision making and his finishing.He was simply a shadow of the 2012 Cazorla who impressive scored 12 times before assissting a bunch of other goals in his first season at the Emirates.
As a matter of fact, Cazorla had gone for 21 matches without a goal, soon after his exquisite finish against City at Wembley. Fast Fast forward, even after Sanchez's mighty run of form had enveloped Santi's impact in the team, only real analysts could single him out and not really Sanchez. Against a midfield made up of two gigantic figures in Fernando and Fernandinho, Cazorla twinkle toes still managed to leave the two in tatters in an even marshalled by his breathtaking dribbles, tackles, clearances and his fighting spirit.
Playing at a much deeper role, nothing seemed to worry Cazorla, in fact his position ideally worked well and helped the resurgent attacker unleash one of the best box-to-box performances from an Arsenal player since Viera. He managed to complete 92% of his passes, scored a decisive penalty and his dance after he delivered Giroud's goal, was the perfect way to cap off a man of the match performance.
Enough of Cazorla and how on earth could Coquelin, Bellerin, Mertesacker and ooooospina's impact go unnoticed? well not on this space.
I must confess Coquelin pulled a shocker of the season. I have never quite rated the 23-year-old defensive prodigy.
Coquelin had never been lucky enough to break into the Wenger's line up, and as a result he ended up being shipped to Charlton in search of first team football. At Charlton, he however never enjoyed much play time and thanks to Arteta's injury, Wenger might just have saved his ass from a player-coach saga similar to Pogba vs Fergie.
Today I have tried so hard to focus on the positive side, despite the major negatives our mega 2-0 away win bagged. To be honest, even with the likes of Walcott, Ramsey and Ozil back, let's hope and pray that 17-year-old Krystian Beilik won't be the only player Wenger will settle on in this transfer period.
He simply needs a natural defensive midfielder and a back-up Centre half. Again praying that the FA will grant Paulista a work permit, should the boss successfully pins the 25-year-old Brazilian down.
So on Sunday the FA Cup glory memories will once again flood back. The holders will be in action again against League two side, Brighton and Hove Albion.The Gunners travel to the Falmer Stadium, playing away for the first time in this competition, since January 2013.
The last time these two met, Giroud's double and Theo Walcott winner saved us the blushes in a hard fought 2-3 win. With Danny Welbeck still out and Wenger likely to rotate his side, it's almost certain that both Giroud and Theo stand a huge chance to repeat the feat.
Talking of squad rotation, Wenger has for long valued the FA Cup cup and unlike in the league cup, he is never expected to field rookie players and especially now that he can confidently boast of a talented squad. Aaron Ramsey might have played for over an hour in his first game after missing for six weeks, but the Welshman remains one of those players likely to start.
Mesut Ozil was an unused substitute at Etihad, but with the German's desire to play week in week out, we are pretty sure he wasn't the happiest lad following Cazorla's CLASSY performance, and he will look to replicate his team mates form should he start ahead of Cazorla.In fact many do rate the World Cup midfielder way ahead of Santi, whenever he's at his best. A competition for places will simply enhance and not destroy the team, and Sunday's match will be the perfect opportunity for Ozil to re-discover his oldself.
Brighton also known as Seagulls will be heading into the match on high spirits after they defeated high-flying Ipswich 3-2 in the Sky Bet Championship, last Wednesday; but every Gooner won't be expecting anything less than another glorious outing, having successfully burnt one of the club's biggest obstacles in Man City.
TEAM NEWS:
Arsenal midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (groin) and full-back Hector Bellerin (ankle) both face fitness test ahead of the FA Cup holders' trip south.
MATCH FACTS:-Brighton can only count two victories over the reigning FA Cup champions- both of those wins coming in the 1981/1982 season
-Overall the teams have met on nine occasions, with Arsenal winning six of the encounters
-The seagulls have only scored six goals against Arsenal in the nine times they’ve met
-Brighton have netted a respectable 8 goals in their last five games- one short of Arsenals 9.
-There have been 14 previous matches between the two sides. Arsenal have won on 10 occasions, while Brighton have only beaten the Gunners twice.
-The last time the two met was in January 2013 in FA Cup also in the fourth round. The game was also played at the AMEX stadium. Arsenal won the tie 3-2.
-They have played each 4 times in the FA Cup and Arsenal won each time.
3 of those previous FA Cup victories for Arsenal were at Brighton’s home ground.
-Last time Brighton beat Arsenal was in a league fixture in September 1982. Brighton won the game 1-0 at home.
-Brighton have not failed to score in a home game against the Gunners since April 1981. Arsenal won 1-0.
My BHAvAFC predicted lineup: Szczesny Bellerin, Chambers,Koscielny,Gibbs, Flamini, Ramsey,Ozil,Walcott,Campbell,Giroud
My BHAvAFC predictions: Brighton 1-3 Arsenal (Giroud,Walcott,Campbell)
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