Following last week's monumental yet emotionally destructive comeback in the FA Cup Semi-Final, we return to the mundane banality of the FA Premier League. Monday night sees the FA Cup Finalists welcome Non-FA Cup Finalists, Arsenal, for a game in which most are looking forward to sniggering at the match hashtag. Looking at the form guide, this potentially looks likely to end in a stalemate however the spectre of the FA Cup hangover, after the Lord Mayor's show or any other cliche you wish to insert, the FA Cup Finalists now have to put this behind them and focus on the the pursuit of 7th place. Monday can easily descend into a celebration of last Sunday's feat, however nothing would underline the achievement greater than beating Arsenal and continuing our pursuit Europe whilst denting their top 4 aspirations. Looking at our opponents, Non FA Cup Finalists South Londoners Arsenal, we owe them following our undeserved defeat at the Emirates earlier. Last weekend, Non FA Cup Finalists South Londoners Arsenal produced an anemic and toothless display at the blue place in Liverpool and their away form in the Premier League has yielded 4 points from a possible 18 (last 6 games). Rumour has it the build up for Sky's Monday Night Football will include in depth analysis of Liverpool v Chelsea, Crystal Palace v Man City and how Solksjaer can arrest the slump since taking over permanently, and under pressure Unai Emery set up. Followed by a reminder that the FA Cup Finalist are also playing. We go again.
I was actually amazed at how much they discussed the Liverpool game on Monday night football this week when Chelsea were playing. Carragher even did some in depth analysis of the goals and the game. Chelsea are clearly not even worth discussing like the rest of us now!
My heart says 3 ******* nil us. But looking at their team they are pretty damn good. So I'm going for 3 ******* nil them.
Chelsea would be my bet for the next top 6er to become a mid 6er. Look like they are on a downward spiral already.
Let's hope @rsenal get a moderate result tonight & they are concentrating on the Napoli away fixture. Given how tight the CL places are, they should be fighting like tigers vs us.
Never heard of the 'Premier League' or 'Arsenal' as they are not in the FA Cup. I presume we will beat this team 5-0 or 6-0. Deulofeu with all 5 or 6.
I've got a ticket for this game, but its restructed view in the rookery. Is this for a camera crew or just the handrails?
Given the fixture density, I would rest 1-2 people for this one. Give Quina a run-out, and either Penaranda or Success if they are healthy. Try and rest Troy, Pereyra and perhaps Capoue. Probably Masina for Holebas as well.
Well, we have a decent record against them of late, they've been awful on the road of late, and have a Europa League fixture tonight. That said, we've run into big teams in bad runs of form a few times this season, and we've failed to take advantage, I worry the same will happen here. Still, FA Cup finalists, that's the main thing, win or lose!
I want us to win obv, but also to see DT have a meltdown on AFTV. Team selection will probably be strong with not much change. Generally we do well under the lights of the vic. Im not as aprehensive as I normally would be coming into this. They are rubbish away, we have lost our give a team a win hoodooo and I feel they are there to be beaten. 2-1 Gray, Delafoo, Mapps OG
I will give 2 more losses against top 6 teams for 1 win on the 18th May against a top 6 side! That said, we have been getting closer and we have a good chance on Monday. Arsenal have let in at least a goal in every away game so far this season, in fact their record away is one of the worst in the division so a good time to re-enforce our credentials.
We're going to win 7 in a row to finish 7th whilst ensuring there are 7 letters on the FA Cup inspired by our enigmatic number 7 and a squad assembled for 7 million pounds over 7 seasons.
Our run-in looks a bit tough but so does Wolves' as they've also got to play Arsenal and go to Liverpool. We just have to take it one game at a time - Southampton getting at least a draw on Saturday would make it somewhat easier!
One game at a time is a cliche of a mantra but it fits where we are at the moment. Will be nice to see us playing again on Monday so this feeling of still thinking I dreamt the events of Sunday will go away.
Of course Arsenal have a European tie either side of this game - wonder if they get a good result tonight if a few key players will be rested. Their away form is pretty average and haven't kept a clean sheet all season on the road!
This is a very brave tiger. He throw his jacket in the general direction of Snakey Sssilva on Sunday. (And this was the cover story in the Times footie supplement on Monday. If Ozil had been well behaved, maybe we'd have been the big story.)