Another Cardiff Cup Date For Arsenal
Jan 24th, 2009 by 'holic
The impending trip to Cardiff stirs memories. On Friday 4th January,1980, I picked up my first ever brand new car. After a series of old wrecks I was the recipient of a shiny new Morris Ital, courtesy of the company. Well, obviously it was a company car because nobody in their right mind would have bought one with their own money, but that is another story!
What better way to run it in, I thought, than to toodle down to Ninian Park on the Saturday, as Arsenal were drawn away to Cardiff in the third round of the FA Cup. As I drove through Cardiff I remember being immediately behind a Limebourne coach, one of the official supporters club coaches. From nowhere a bunch of locals appeared and starting pelting the coach. Welcome to Wales!
I made sure I parked well away from the coaches when I got there and got squeezed into a corner of the ground with the rest of the Gooners to witness an uninspiring 0-0 draw. When I heard the tales of what had happened on the way back to the coaches and trains I was grateful to have taken my own transport, although less so when the clutch failed on the journey home. Bloody car.
There is a great irony in the fact that Cardiff were the last FA Cup visitors to Highbury, and Arsenal may well be the last team to visit Ninian Park in the competition, as the home side are moving to a new stadium next season. The two clubs seem fated to meet in significant ties since the Final of 1927, when Cardiff managed to defeat Arsenal, and their Welsh goalkeeper, to take the trophy to Wales for the only time. (Before you say it Jackster, no, I was not there that day.)
Both sides will feature a player who started life in the other camp. What odds on either Aaron Ramsey or Jay Bothroyd to score in the contest? (Actually, it’s 7/2 Bothroyd, and 9/2 Ramsey, cheers Paddy.) Will Ramsey start? That largely depends on Wenger’s view of the impending Premiership visit to Everton.
Fabianski will return as the cup-tie goalkeeper, and Gibbs (or possibly even the fit-again Gallas) will cover for the suspended Clichy. I could foresee a rest for one of the strikers to accommodate Bendtner. Any further tinkering may have an affect on the Gunner’s ability to get a win against a solid Championship outfit.
I really don’t know why, but I have a nasty feeling this could be another draw, giving both sides a replay they would prefer to avoid. 1-1 at around 7/1 looks very interesting, and is the destination of the ‘holic pound.
I hope that those who are going enjoy the day and enjoy a less fraught journey than those of us who ventured down twenty-nine years ago. I miss our regular visits to the city for Cup Finals which always made for great days out. At least tomorrow I will not have to worry about a faulty clutch. (I said clutch, Jackster!)
10 Responses to “Another Cardiff Cup Date For Arsenal”
Pint of cider please.
Jackster gets mentioned twice? There is bribery afoot.
Nice write as usual ‘holic.
Come on you Gunners!!!!!!!!!!!!!
*Thanks Max Clifford*
Good to see my old friend Nantucket Gooner getting a mention.
`holic the Cardiff FA cup tie was on Jan 4th 1969.I went to the game by coach and it was naughty.Ninian Park was a dump.John Toshack played for Cardiff and the Cardiff fans were like neandertals.
Funnily enough the anti english feeling persists to this day.
Looking forward to it. Getting the 9.30 from Paddington so hopefully have time for a few light ales with the locals.
I am predicting a hard fought victory for The Glorious Gunners. I really do not want a replay.
Not sure who he will pick to be honest. I can see Gallas returning and hoepfully Gibbs will get a game at left back. From what I have seen he looks a fine prospect.
Good luck to you and Mrs H. It appears that you are really going through it at the moment. Hope things are on the up.
Gonko, you’re both right actually. Cardiff played Arsenal at Ninian Park on both occasions and both times the result was 0-0. I was at the one in 1980 and saw Cardiff’s then striker Gary Stevens miss from about 12 inches. Not long after this he gained the nickname ‘Basil’ after Basil Fawlty (there was a remarkable likeness and they were both useless). I’m actually a Gooner from Cardiff who’s a little torn tomorrow between the two footballing loves of my life!
Nice blogging, ‘holic.
Just an orange juice for me please.
I can’t face alcohol today.
Cheers gonko. I was at the replay in ’69 (it was my twelfth birthday present!) , but didn’t make Cardiff. I was still reliant on the old man in those days so the young ‘holic had only seen Arsenal in London up to that point.
That was just a couple of weeks after the boxing day thumping of the European Cup winners with a hat-trick of headers, and the birth of the ‘Jingle Bells’ chant. Great days.
Boxing day 1968.Arsenal v Man Utd.Sixty three thousand people inside Highbury.Nil nil at half time.The deadlock broken by a header by George Armstrong.The smallest man on the pitch.
United had Best,Charlton and Law playing for them.The games outstanding player was David Court.
What a strange game football is.
On the day the best player in the world(which I truly believe George Best was) humbled by a journeyman midfield player.
I feel like the narrator from the Mad Max films “now they are all dust”
Quick `holic a drink before I bring out the Jefferson Aeroplane records and the joss sticks.
Pint please Jacksterholic 🙂