FA Cup Final - Pre-Match Thread

[john e]

I got given a bottle of 1995 Midleton very rare Irish Whiskey
Numbered boxed and signed by the master distiller Barry Crockett

This was back in 1995, and I said at the time I would break it open when we won the FA cup

Anyway remembering this I got it out the other day ready for the big day should it all go well, only problem is having checked on tinternet it's now worth £300-£400

[mortimer1982]

Does a semi final ticket count towards the required 5 game booking history? Thanks

Yes they do mate.

Thanks - looks like an early start tomorrow then!

They go on sale on Friday, not tomorrow.

You shouldn't have told him. At least he would have been first in the queue.

I'm keen, but not that keen

[Matt Collins]

I'm telling you if we can avoid defending like 10 yr old girls we can beat this arsenal team. Two options against them: a) men behind ball and break a la Sunderland, Swansea, Monaco or b) really press into them a la Man U.

I'm not sure we're suited to the first tho!

[paulcomben]

I wonder who David O'Leary will be supporting on the big day.  You know, divided loyalties and all that?

Yet another good reason to win.

And Martin Keown. Mind you he works for BBC1 so he will spend the all-day cup final coverage mentioning Man United.

[Eurochamps82]

I'll be queuing early tomorrow although haven't got a clue how many tickets are left!
I'm desperately hunting for a spare client ref no for 7+ games for a ticket for my Son. Is there any kind hearted soul out there who can't make it to Wembley and would be prepared to pass on their client ref? Here's hoping!

Off to try and get some shut eye now before heading down to VP early. Have had no luck with the extra client ref no but still have everything crossed. If anyone has one please PM me and I'll pick up in the early hours! Will make a donation to H&V site if manage to get the extra ticket! Thanks everyone and good luck to all ticket hunters for tomorrow. 

Being unsuccessful last week, hopefully got a last chance now with the extra 800 tickets going on sale Friday!!! Please, is there anyone with a 5 game client ref they're not using? Cheers!    VTID

[Des Little]

Who voted Arsenal in the fcuking poll?

[Richard E]

I'm not jinxing us by voting on this one.

[KRS]

I'm telling you if we can avoid defending like 10 yr old girls we can beat this arsenal team. Two options against them: a) men behind ball and break a la Sunderland, Swansea, Monaco or b) really press into them a la Man U.

I'm not sure we're suited to the first tho!

Just about to post something similar...Sunderland and Swansea have shown how to stop Arsenal winning by parking the bus with 11 men behind the ball and having luck on their side, and if they had better quality up front then they may have won on the counter. If we try and play like that then I think Arsenal will have a field day, so I'd go for closing them down, pressuring them and getting in their faces...they are dodgy at best at the back so the goals will come. 

[Holte L2]

Of our last two the signed for sticker was ripped off and the grey plastic envelope was just shoved through the door. All tickets correct inside though.

With the scarves I was hoping they would be given out at the turnstiles but if they are being laid out then I hope people don't grab as many as they can as was unfortunately the case in some areas with the 2000 'last game at Wembley' pennants. Those arriving late didn't get one as selfish people grabbed 2 or 3.

I was at the 2000 final and I never saw a pennant

I still have my pennant inside my programme.

[PeterWithesShin]

I have a few hundred pennants for sale that I swiped off seats early on.

[Brazilian Villain]

I still have my pennant inside my programme.

Same here, but I'd forgotten about it till you mentioned it.

[Matt Collins]

I'm telling you if we can avoid defending like 10 yr old girls we can beat this arsenal team. Two options against them: a) men behind ball and break a la Sunderland, Swansea, Monaco or b) really press into them a la Man U.

I'm not sure we're suited to the first tho!

Swansea did win and Sunderland should have. But I just don't think we've got anything like the defensive shape or concentration to do that
Just about to post something similar...Sunderland and Swansea have shown how to stop Arsenal winning by parking the bus with 11 men behind the ball and having luck on their side, and if they had better quality up front then they may have won on the counter. If we try and play like that then I think Arsenal will have a field day, so I'd go for closing them down, pressuring them and getting in their faces...they are dodgy at best at the back so the goals will come. 

[passitsideways]

I'm telling you if we can avoid defending like 10 yr old girls we can beat this arsenal team. Two options against them: a) men behind ball and break a la Sunderland, Swansea, Monaco or b) really press into them a la Man U.

I'm not sure we're suited to the first tho!

Swansea did win and Sunderland should have. But I just don't think we've got anything like the defensive shape or concentration to do that
Just about to post something similar...Sunderland and Swansea have shown how to stop Arsenal winning by parking the bus with 11 men behind the ball and having luck on their side, and if they had better quality up front then they may have won on the counter. If we try and play like that then I think Arsenal will have a field day, so I'd go for closing them down, pressuring them and getting in their faces...they are dodgy at best at the back so the goals will come. 

I think it's severely underestimating Arsenal's defence to label them as "dodgy at best" at the back. They conceded 2 away at Chelsea, 1 at United, and 0 at City. Mertesacker and Koscielny are both quality CBs, and Ramsey/Coquelin are both very diligent defensively. Debuchy, Gibbs and Monreal are all pretty decent as well.

Certainly, there are things to expose: especially the Benteke/Delph/Grealish triangle if Bellerin starts at RB for them. But I don't think we should be lured into a shootout with them. The longer we keep the score at 0-0, the better shot we have.

[AlloLion]

Who voted Arsenal in the fcuking poll?

Somebody that voted with his head and not his heart.

Prefer to think, he clicked the wrong button 

[KRS]

I'm telling you if we can avoid defending like 10 yr old girls we can beat this arsenal team. Two options against them: a) men behind ball and break a la Sunderland, Swansea, Monaco or b) really press into them a la Man U.

I'm not sure we're suited to the first tho!

Swansea did win and Sunderland should have. But I just don't think we've got anything like the defensive shape or concentration to do that
Just about to post something similar...Sunderland and Swansea have shown how to stop Arsenal winning by parking the bus with 11 men behind the ball and having luck on their side, and if they had better quality up front then they may have won on the counter. If we try and play like that then I think Arsenal will have a field day, so I'd go for closing them down, pressuring them and getting in their faces...they are dodgy at best at the back so the goals will come. 

I think it's severely underestimating Arsenal's defence to label them as "dodgy at best" at the back. They conceded 2 away at Chelsea, 1 at United, and 0 at City. Mertesacker and Koscielny are both quality CBs, and Ramsey/Coquelin are both very diligent defensively. Debuchy, Gibbs and Monreal are all pretty decent as well.

Certainly, there are things to expose: especially the Benteke/Delph/Grealish triangle if Bellerin starts at RB for them. But I don't think we should be lured into a shootout with them. The longer we keep the score at 0-0, the better shot we have.

Completely forgot Swansea grabbed a late winner. I was watching the game and I've developed a bad habit of falling asleep watching other teams on tv!

With regards to Arsenal being dodgy at the back...I think Mertesacker and Koscielny are the weak link in that team and always seem liable to make a mistake even if rarely punished. Mertesacker is particularly slow and Koscielny seems particularly liable to committing fowls, and they are fortunate to have a strong attacking midfield in front of them so they are not so exposed. Dont get me wrong, they would both walk into our lineup but if I was TS then I'd be targeting Mertesacker and Koscielny rather than down the wings...and it just so happens that we have the ideal man up front to exploit them. On the other hand...I may be talking complete Arse!