The Return of a Legend, Part II: Arsenal 1 - Leeds 0

photo by wonker	via PhotoRee

The television cameras spotted young Jack Wilshere yawning in the stands while watching Arsenal play Leeds in the FA Cup on Monday, and that shot was just about the most exciting thing to happen in the game's first 45 minutes. Slightly more puzzling was the fact that Samir Nasri was also in attendance, fresh off his loss in the Manchester Derby. In case you haven't noticed, Sami, you aren't quite as popular as some other former Arsenal players....

Does anyone else think that Leeds looked like firemen last night in their black and day-glow yellow kits?  I kept wondering where their hats and hoses were.....

I was hoping to get a look at Robin Van Persie in the game to check out his current form. I know that sounds like a ridiculous statement, given that the Dutchman is leading the League in scoring this season, but Arsenal hasn't exactly been prolific of late -- I think they've scored 6 goals in their last 5 home games, including last night -- and my sense is that RVP's form might have slipped just that little bit -- his last goal was from the spot rather than open play....  Alas, Le Professor gave his Captain time off for a family holiday, so I'll have to save my musings for later....

I heard some people on both television and radio over the past week -- ever since news broke that Thierry Henry was returning to the Gooner fold -- wondering how Marouanne Chamakh will feel if he finds himself behind the Arsenal legend in the pecking order. Somehow I don't imagine Arsene Wenger is spending a lot of time worrying about that one....

The moment Arsenal fans around the globe were waiting for finally occurred when Thierry Henry entered the game shortly after the hour mark. The three time FA Cup winner wore a rather large beard, almost as if he came to the game directly from a Witness Protection program. I knew things were bad at the Emirates, but I didn't realize they were that bad.

Strangely, Henry entered the game at the same time as Theo Walcott -- the same Theo Walcott who now wears Henry's old number 14.

And never mind that Henry was a good half yard offside when he scored the winning goal in Arsenal's slim 1-nil victory. Who was referee Mark Clattenburg to spoil the feel good story of the week...?  Even David Beckham was seen clapping when Henry slipped one past the Leeds 'keeper for the win -- I guess those old guys have got to stick together.



This is farlieonfootie for January 10.