Morning all.
News is thin on the ground this morning. For now anyway. Who knows what emerge later in the day?
Yesterday’s FA Cup action saw Tuesday’s opposition Fulham get beaten 3-0 at home by Crystal Palace. Hopefully it’s a demoralising defeat that takes them weeks to bounce back from. Former Gunner Eddie Nketiah was on the scoresheet for Palace, and there is a knock-on effect for Arsenal too. We’re due to host them on April 26th, but with the FA Cup semi-finals scheduled for that weekend, the game will have to be moved.
For those travelling from afar, who already have plans, it’s gonna be a bit of a nightmare but that’s how the fixture list can change due to teams participation in other competitions. There’s no indication yet of when it might be played, and the potential Champions League semi-finals could complicate things further. I hope they do get that complicated, obviously.
In the other quarter-final Brighton lost on penalties to Nottingham Forest whose fine season continues. Flying high in the league and now in the FA Cup semi-final, fair play, but the most important aspect of this is the fact the Brighton manager will be sad. And anything that makes him sad is all right by me. Even if, by extension, it means Danny Welbeck is also sad. Sorry, Danny. Today Preston will be looking to cause an upset against Aston Villa, while Bournemouth host Man City.
I don’t say this simply because it’s Man City, but I really hope Bournemouth go through. It means there’s the potential for a ‘new’ club to win the cup, and that would be far more interesting than than Pep and his band of 115 merry men ending one of their worst seasons ever with some silverware. People can think whatever they want about the FA Cup and its importance, but it’s an historic trophy, and whether you’re at Wembley or just watching at home, winning it always great. So I don’t want them to have that.
I like what Andoni Iraola has done at Bournemouth too. They’re such a fun team to watch, and hopefully he has the good sense to avoid the overtures being made towards him as that lot consider life after Ange. I’m sure the money will be good, but look at how many managers have thought they could overcome nature itself, only to be chewed up and spat out by football’s most virulently toxic DNA. Don’t do it, Ando!
Right, don’t forget Arsenal Women are in action this afternoon against Crystal Palace. Tim has a full preview over on Arseblog News. For now, have a great Sunday, and for those of you in this part of the world, enjoy the brighter evenings after the clocks changed overnight. More here tomorrow including an Arsecast Extra.
Have a good one.
