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Lauren returned after suspension, Cole's operation will keep him sidelined for some weeks yet, Oleg was still missing, Bergkamp was probably not fully fit so Jeffers kept his place and was partnered by Henry up front, while our midfield saw Vieira and Edu central with Ray and Freddie playing the nominal wide roles. On our pretty impressive bench we had Warmuz the benchwarmuz, Cygan, Toure, Wiltord, Pires.
This was a cup tie that I'm pretty sure would have great entertainment value for the neutral, but not being a neutral so I wouldn't really know. 5.15pm on a Saturday, or any other day of the week come to that, is a stupid kick off time but that didn't spoil the game, only the bluescum coin throwers managed that.
Chelsea fans were given the Clock End which resulted in the usual 'We're the Clock End', 'We're the North Bank' vocal competition at the home fans end. Chelsea attacking the North Bank in the first half started brighter and could have gone ahead after Martin slipped and Zola was through for a one on one with Dave, but the big man held his ground well and saved the day. I reckon he has another season in him on this form. But our luck didn't hold out for long and neither did our defending because an unmarked Gronkjaer from a corner was allowed to pass to a totally unmarked Terry in acres of space. Terry was free to head home and did just that. It appeared to be a failed offside trap but whatever it was it was piss poor defending and 0-1 to Chelswee.
Some typical cup tie tackles followed the goals in a period where our best chance came as Morris sliced a ball at his own keeper and our best moves broke down thanks to Chelsea's effective offside trap. Henry appeared to be tripped as Ray headed over. Seaman was required to save a Petit free kick before Edu was shown a yellow card for a late tackle on Zola. A booking was not unreasonable but it was his first tackle of the match and many just as bad followed without recourse to bookings. At this stage of the match Chelsea defended with eleven back whenever we attacked. Arsenal meantime probed with out quite doing the business in front of an impatient Highbury crowd.
Gronkjaer was giving Gio the run around and also did him unnoticed by Durkin. Jeffers was taking up good positions and was through on goal when Cudicini brought him down for a penalty. Yellow card. The laws of the game state that it should be a red when preventing an obvious goal scoring opportunity so Durkin's decision on this occasion was the biggest of the match. Thierry took the pen and hit it to the keeper's right, as he usually does, but not far enough to his right. Granted Cudicini had moved a yard off his line before the ball was hit but he saved it and the kick was not retaken because they never are. Officials may apply some of the rules some of the time but never that one.
Parlour fouled Morris as the game warmed up, Gronkjaer fouled Freddie and Sol was penalised for something done to him in their box. Henry almost put Jeffers away as Arsenal got on top and cranked up the pressure. Pat was tripped by the lippy Morris who was doing his best to impersonate Denise Wise. No yellow was shown until he mouthed off at Durkin and then our free kick was moved forward ten yards. A great save from Edu was followed by Arsenal claims for a handball in their box, not given.
A long range shot from Henry and then Parlour almost getting to Henry's ball maintained the pressure. Freddie created havoc, might have got a free kick but Jeffers chased down the ball and following some naff defending by Babayaro bundled the ball over the line. 1-1 and the 'Fox in the box' had taken a scrappy goal, which is just why Wenger brought to Highbury. Franny is looking better every match and holding his own with our superstars.
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We were bossing the game now and working good moves down both flanks with Freddie looking his lively self, but only in patches. Parlour headed just wide with a fine attempt off the back of his head. Jimmy Floyd charged into the back of Pat. Henry on the turn from a long pass hit it over. We countered well whenever Chelsea broke and Edu was working back well as when he sorted out Zola.
We were about 1 minute 59 seconds into the two minutes added time when Sol knocked one forward for Thierry to chase, at first glance he looked about 4 yards offside but the big screen replays later showed him to be onside, such is his pace. Cudicini was out to the edge of his box but Henry very coolly turned him, sitting him on his arse, and then stroked it into the empty net. Brilliant play and 2-1 to the Arsenal at half-time.
Zenden on for Zola for the second half. Henry was now in world class different planet football mode and his first piece of skill after the break made three Chelsea players look total mugs, but his pass was a tad too slick for an almost fit Freddie. Ray drove in a fine shot from wide right that was held, Henry put Freddie away with a great pass and we were in the driving seat as 'Super Rob' warmed up. Our forwards were pressing Chelsea's defenders well and their two wide men made little headway.
Chelsea had some chances which included a great save by Seaman from JFH almost at point blank range and their follow up was blasted over. Elbows from Babayaro on Lauren won a free kick that Gio took. Lampard headed over for a corner. Edu had a shot with his right tipped around the post by Cudicini after some more fabulous play by Arsenal. Chelsea broke and set up JFH who fired hopelessly off target. 'Have you ever seen Chelsea win the League - have you feck'. More magic from Henry with some unbelievable speed and control down our left flank. Great tackle by Ray on Petit and we were still pretty well in control because Chelsea weren't creating much to bother us.
With Henry looking knackered Sylvain on for Franny looked the wrong call but Bobby for Freddie was altogether more obvious. Edu had a header cleared for a corner. Gronkjaer who'd caused us more problems than most lost out and Henry was off again, this time to win another corner. Wiltord won anther as Arsenal were pressing on all fronts. Vieira to Parlour who fired over following more great play. 'Vieira, he comes from Senegal and plays for Arsenal'. An even better move ended with an offside decision against Pires as he too hit the post.
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We lost something of the initiative but although Chelsea still pressed it was without great effect for the most part. Great block by Martin from JFH and high fives with Seaman followed. Big scramble in the Arsenal box following what I recall to be a corner and the ball wasn't cleared, just almost hacked away. A big toe from Lampard was enough and it was 2-2 with seven minutes on the clock remaining.
Chelsea were happy with the draw but we pressed on with Vieira driving forward plus some clever stuff by Ray and Rob down the right. At the end of three minutes added time Wiltord was chopped in long free kick range and the debate was between Rob, Edu and Gio as to who should take it. Gio won the debate and fired a great shot at goal but Cudicini was equal to it. Carlo Cudicini might be considered lucky to have remained on the pitch and he was certainly all that temporarily halted our progress to the next round. We could have and should have won it, but as we all know the better team doesn't always win on the day.
So it's a replay at Stamford Bridge on the 25th and I'd like to wish Chelsea, as London's biggest Club, and all their very wonderful, sporting modest fans all of our most sincere best wishes in the replay. Not. I'm never do a thing like that because I'm one of numerous Arsenal fans who can't stand the lippy bar stewards or their team.