FA Cup Preview and Draxler Madness

Stupid Arctic blasts.  My fingers are freezing as I type.  Yes, living in Northwest Indiana means that enduring (and even enjoying) snow and temps averaging around 20 degrees.  But this -25 to -40 degree stuff is for the birds (who are probably frozen to whatever roost they have found to perch on).  On the other hand...

My work is closed today which means I am able to watch the game (online) without pesky interruptions and having to engage in some form of sneaky office machinations.  Excellent.

Well, we have one week until the window closes and in somewhat typical Arsenal style, we have not brought anyone in even with having Theo out the rest of the season and a need for perhaps another defender.  However, the Draxler rumors are fueling my own personal fire - and even when this happens:

"@Arsenal: We are delighted to announce the transfer of Julian Draxler from Schalke 04 for a fee of £45m. #DraxlerIsAGooner"
— Jim. (@AgentJim_) January 18, 2014

April Fools!!
— Jim. (@AgentJim_) January 19, 2014

I go back for more.  Sad, I know.

I did give him a tweeted piece of my mind of course, but in classic Lisa fashion, I still believe this which appeared this morning:

1/2 I'm being told that Arsenal and Schalke have been in deep negotiations to agree on a fee for Julian Draxler. And this morning a fee..
— Jim. (@AgentJim_) January 24, 2014

Has been finally agreed and Arsenal and Julian Draxler will now go into talks over personal terms. That's all I know at this stage guys.
— Jim. (@AgentJim_) January 24, 2014

Seriously, if this transfer doesn't pan out, I personally will totally deserve the let down, optimistic fool that I am.

Anyway, amidst all this transfer bologna is an FA Cup match today against Coventry City at the Emirates.  Keeping in mind the manner in which we crashed out of the tournament last year against Blackburn, Wenger is not taking the lower-tier team lightly:

“Last year's defeat to Blackburn was a big disappointment. It was a great warning and at the moment this just our next game and we want to win it.”

Santi seems to think we learned our lesson from last season:

“Football produces surprises every day and anything can happen in a game. If you underestimate an opponent, they can beat you.
“You have to approach these games in the best way possible and not get cocky or it will cost us dearly.”

The rub, of course, is we have a thinning squad taking on three trophies.  An FA Cup trophy is a coveted prize and is doable if we combine our first team with our up-and- comers.  With injuries, that will be a tricky combination.  Arteta, Ramsey, Vermalaen, and Rosicky are out with Sanogo and Bendtner having returned to the squad just this week for training.  So, I expect a mix of backups (Fabianski, Jenks) starting with returnees Ox,  and Bendtner, Young Guns Zelalem or maybe Eisfeld with first teamers Mertie, Koz, Gibbs, Flamini, Serge and Santi. 

Coventry City have lost 10 points due to being docked for going into administration (they're owned by a Hedgefund?) so take their League One status with a grain of salt.  Like all lower league teams in this tournament, they have pride to play for.  They more than most.

I guess that's it for now.  This game really should be ours for the taking.  The slackness that has earmarked our starts of late will hopefully not make an appearance tonight.  An infusion of young blood could help cure that ill.  Here's to advancing to Round 5.

Take care you Gooners.

P.S. (A shout out to REDAction who is helping support Coventry City fans bringing in banners to protest having to travel 35 miles to see a home match.  More here...)