If you remember Ray the Gooner of Arsenal Articles and I did a Q&A before the final. Well I was mean and I asked Ray if he would be kind enough to do another one post final, and to his credit he has.
Ray I really appreciate that this is a difficult thing, and it’s credit to you that you are prepared to do this. I promise to be gentle!
1. Before the game, we both thought Arsenal would win – however as we got to kick off I started to think we MIGHT do it. Did you have any doubts?
I never believed the hype that this was going to be an easy game for us. Birmingham is a tough Premier League club and has won five out of their last seven so this was not exactly like Arsenal against a little Conference side (which some of the media was building the game to be). I was confident if we were at our best we would win but I was very aware that a fired-up Birmingham could beat us.
2. When you saw the line ups, were there any surprises, (especially with Arsenal).
Being a foolish dreamer, I was actually still hoping to see Fabregas in the line-up or on the bench despite Wenger ruling him out on Friday ! Other than that, I think Arsene picked his best available side so I had no complaints regarding this. I was also happy to see Martins on the bench – for some reason before kick off I thought he was the danger man (dont know if him being amazing in an old FIFA version had anything to do with this !! ). Little did I know that he will come on and score the winner.
3. I thought we started well, but I was still amazed when we scored. What was being said among the Gooners? (Remember this is a family show!)
I did not like at all the way the game started. I said to my dad (also an Arsenal man) that this was not going well. We were stunned by the goal but its not like it came out of the blue as I thought we started slower than usual and you were looking threatening when going forward.
4. In the 2nd, Arsenal looked like they meant business. Losing RVP was a blow – would you have done something differently to Mr Wenger?
It was evenly-fought game and there was a point at the second half where we were really got a grip on the game . The game was decided by a freakish goal and while McLeish certainly got his tactics spot on, I would not say that Arsene did anything wrong in that aspect. As for van Persie, yes if he was injured I would have removed him earlier but then again he is our most deadly forward so I can understand why the manager tried to keep him on. The only thing I would not have done was replacing Arshavin as the mad little genius can score goals when you least expect it.
5. (Now the painful bit), what was your take on the winner?
What can I say ? I was so shocked that I was lost for words initially. I could not believe it happened the way it did and it was such a shame for us to lose a final this way. Koscielny should have blasted it but there is no excuse for ANY keeper not to hold on to that ball. Watching the ball drop to Martins and praying for what seemed like ages for him to miss was unreal. Hearing the Birmingham fans jumping for joy made me realise that I did close my eyes and was desperately hoping it was a nightmare!
6. Finally what would your end of match conclusion be of both sides? Where was it won and lost?
I honestly thought we gave a good account of ourselves and we contributed to what was an extremely competitive final. Both teams did the Carling Cup proud and may just have enhanced the competition´s reputation. As I said before, I knew we could lose if Birmingham played like lions which they did. I cannot fault the lads prior to the goal though- I thought we battled gamely too and it is a really credit to your lot as you have beaten a good Arsenal side.
7. Did you want to add anything else.
Apart from the sleepless nights you gave me you mean ?!? Seriously though, I am happy we play every three days from now so it can take away some of that pain and our season is far from over yet.
As for Birmingham, I can only congratulate the players, the club and the fans. I have lived in the West Midlands before and been to the Bull Ring many times so I know that a city of that size deserves a trophy or two!
Ray thank you for being so gracious in defeat.
Thanks Ray, with all the excuses and media hype after the game it is so good to meet someone with a well balanced view of proceedings. Pat your self on the back as a true football supporter.
Now go beat Barcelona and make England proud.
‘ Fair play ‘ to you for being so magnanimous in defeat , now just go on and win the Premiership , and the Champion’s League , not just for yourselves , but selfishly , it will make our famous victory look even more of an acheivement !!
Seriously , Good Luck in all other competitions Ray.
Thanks Ray for your candid answers. After all’s said and done it was a great game and although you guys have been trophy-less for 6yrs, we’ve had to wait a long long time for this. Looking forward to playing against you again… Hopefully in the Charity Shield, you as Premier League Champions & us as FA Cup winners (“,)
Thanks a lot for all the positive comments.
It was great to work with Joys & Sorrows even though one of us had to lose !
All the best.
We may meet again yet Ray!
Good balanced candid and fair comments: thanks gooner. Wenger may not have got his tactics wrong, but if i were an Arsenal man, i really would think it was time he stopped buying continental keepers and defenders that fold under pressure they are not used to in weaker leagues – = thestory of Arsenal’s recent failures i think. I’m sure that in Nth London, let alone all of England, there must be defenders that can actually connect with uncontested balls, and keepers that actually have some of them, instead of big mouths. This is not intended to encourage Wenger to bid for any of Foster, Johnson, Dann or Jirinek (who, by the way, looks a fair buy now that we get to see him at last)!! KRO
I honestly hope we dont meet again this season Kev ! But somehow if we both get through ( i dont think we will put a full side at Old Trafford anyway) I can see a Birmingham -Arsenal semi-final.
Wasn’t it good to see there was no hooligism before,during, or after the game ( from what I could see on TV ) All helped to lift the image of the game worldwide.