By the Whisker of his Chinny Chin Chin (Arsenal on to FA Cup Final)

Arsenal are through to the FA Cup final by the hair on Mertesacker’s chinny chin chin. After conceding the penalty that put Wigan up in the 63rd minute, the big German header in the equalizer in the 82^nd minute. Arsenal then seemed on the verge of winning the game in regulation, though several more misses by Sanogo (I count an extraordinary 13 chances that he missed – some because he failed to attack a decent cross or through ball) and a shot by Ox that went off the bar left them tied and heading into extra time. More opportunities presented themselves in the two 15 minute extra periods, but the Gunners profligacy in front of goal continued.

And so it came down to penalties to decide who would return to Wembley in three weeks to try to raise the FA Cup crown. Wigan were first off, and when Fabianski saved a Caldwell effort and Arteta coolly took his chance, hope began to mount for a mediocre but epic Gunner victory. Fabianski saved on the opposite end of goal to substitute Collison and Kollstrom (in his first game since signing for Arsenal) made it 2-0. Beausejour finally secured the first penalty for Wigan but Giroud followed with a slotted shot to the near post. McCarthur stood up with the game on the line and scored and it thus came down to Cazorla, the very man who warned he would leave if trophies were not won soon. He stepped up and sent a perfect strike through – sending Arsenal to their first opportunity at a trophy since the devastating and shambolic loss to Birgmingham in the League Cup three years ago.

The players celebrated as if a trophy was already won, sending ex-United star Roy Keane into an apoplectic attack, but it was a moment to savor after so much failure over the past two plus months. Let’s review what’s happened since Arsenal started the year with 5 straight wins (two in the FA Cup) and led the league. They suffered through a tough 2-2 draw with Southampton on the road then won at home against Crystal Palace 2-0. They headed to Liverpool with a chance to get back into the trophy race, but were destroyed 5-1. Then they played a tepid game at home against United, with Giroud missing two clear opportunities to score. They did beat Liverpool 2-1 in the FA Cup 5^th round, though they were thoroughly outplayed in the second half. They then lost 2-0 to Bayern in the first leg of the UCL after Szczesny was sent off early then beat Sunderland 4-1 at home to restore a little order. But their title bid was over 9 days later as they lost a terrible game 1-0 at Stoke. Another FA Cup win followed, impressively 4-1 over a hot Everton at the Emirates but they were then sent out of the UCL for the fourth year running, and the second in a row by Bayern, after a 1-1 draw on the road. On the 16^th of March, they beat Tottenham 1-0 at White Hart Lane and seemed to have an outside shot at the title heading to the Bridge to face Chelsea. And this is where the wheels came off completely, in a 6-0 drubbing that was over after 20 minutes. A 2-2 draw with Swansea at the Emirates followed, after the Gunners had come back to take a 2-1 lead and then a disheartening 3-0 loss at Everton.

And so confidence was at an all-time low as they headed into the biggest game of a season that has gotten away from them. If Everton win out, they will finish outside the top four for the first time in 16 years and the injury list continues to be troubling. Sure they were prohibitive favorites against a side that won the Cup last year but was then relegated, but one could see the nervousness from the outset. Chances came and went in the first few minutes, but then the game settled into a pattern of Arsenal possession without sufficient forward momentum. Wigan had a few chances but seemed content to sit back and play on the counter. And so the game went until the fateful penalty that almost ended Wenger’s career at Arsenal for sure. But destiny had other plans and this disappointing run in could be papered over with a FA Cup win and their first title in 9 long years. And that should be the icing on the cake of the end of Wenger’s reign.

Player Grades:

I haven’t been doing this much this season, but I thought I would this week, given the rather tepid though ultimately successful game.

Fabianski (8) – only made one mistake all game (when he came out and failed to nab the ball late in the game) and his two saves to start the penalty shoot-out were instrumental to the PK win, a rarity in the past nine years though it was the second shootout the Gunners have won in a row (after the Capital One Cup victory over West Brom early in the season).

Mertesacker (7) – The big German has seemed to decline in form in recent games, maybe missing his preferred partner Koscielny, and a senseless tackle just inside the box gave Wigan a penalty and the 1-0 lead. But his header at the far post from a cross restored parity and a couple of blocks and saves in the closing minutes and extra time ensured that Wigan didn’t find the winner they were so hungry for.

Vermaelen (6) – Vermaelen made no major mistakes, but he just isn’t the player he was two seasons ago and should probably go at the end of this term. His positional discipline continues to be a problem, his attempts at long passes ill-advised and his foray’s forward leave the team exposed on the counter.

Sagna (7) – A good game for the right back who sent in a number of good crosses that any decent finisher would have, well, finished. Did have a good chance to score after a Mertesacker header on a corner left him free at an acute angle, but failed to finish. Wigan rarely attacked from his side of the field.

Monreal (5.5) – Was average yet again, particularly on the defensive side. His dip in form is hard to explain but he seems too slow for the EPL and we might consider selling him for a better backup to Gibbs.

Arteta (5.5) – It seems that replacing Arteta might be one of the most important pieces of business for Arsenal this summer (I like Gundongen or Lars Bender as the best options). He just seems a little off the pace these days, has never been a natural DM, lacks the precision in his passing of previous years and doesn’t really pose a scoring threat any longer. Gave the ball away on several occasions, fouled all over the field but did score the all-important first penalty.

Ramsey (6.5) – Ramsey had some lovely moments with a few of his passes, but his first start since Boxing Day was largely forgettable. Was subbed by Kollstrom in the 113^th minute. He did cover an incredible amount of space, as is his habit and his return will certainly give Arsenal hope of restoring their position in fourth before the end of the season (if Everton slip up).

Podolski (6) – invisible for large portions of the game, though he did create and provide a couple of opportunities. Was subbed for Giroud in the 68^th minute, to boos from the crowd, as many thought Sanogo should have given way.

Ox (7.5) – Ox was the most lively and active player throughout and was unlucky in the 20^th minute of extra time to have his shot hit the post. Several of his passes and crosses could very well have led to goals if Sanogo didn’t flub chance after chance.

Cazorla (6) – a pretty average game for the little Spaniard who usually can, though his penalty shot ultimately won the game. His slight drop in form and lack of goals must be considered a contributing factor to the Gunners decline, even if he is often the best player on the pitch.

Sanogo (4) – this young striker has the skills to be a top striker in the future, if he can learn composure and assuredness in front of goal. He is insufficiently aggressive at getting to balls in the box, timid when one on one with the goalkeeper and tends to take too long to set up shots. As I said earlier, I could 11 chances in total and at least 6 or 7 shot that were generally poor. A good striker scores with 1 of every 3 opportunities and Sanogo’s inability to score even one goal since joining Arsenal, together with the injuries, shows why the lack of a second quality striker has been so heavily critiqued all season.

Subs

Gibbs (7) – Gibbs brought speed and forward momentum to the team when he was brought on in the 63^rd minute. Got into the box on several occasions and the biggest critique one might make of his game right now is his unwillingness to shoot (as he often finds himself free in dangerous positions).

Giroud (6) – his appearance in the 68^th minute seemed to push Arsenal forward, though he allowed Sanogo to take the more forward position and this clearly cost the team. His penalty shot was also key and might do a little to restore his confidence from earlier in the season.

Kollstrom (--) – was only on for a few minutes, but had two decent scoring attempts, both missed. But his penalty was also essential to the victory.

Overall, it was a pretty disappointing performance punctuated at the end with the sort of mettle too often missing from Wenger teams since 2005. Could a victory in the final restore some confidence to a reeling team, reminding them they had the most points in the EPL for 2013? We will have to see, but Everton’s lucky victory (from an own goal late), took them one step closer to that elusive fourth place spot at our expense. The only good news is they still have both Manchester clubs in the run in. Arsenal head home to play West Ham Tuesday in a must win. COYG!