Boring Boring Arsenal Survive Cardiff

Toothless Arsenal survive an up-tempo game against Cardiff, but it could of been much worse. Had it not been for Cardiff missing their chances, Arsenal would of likely been knocked out of the FA Cup.

Arsene Wenger made five changes to his squad; putting Fabianski in goal, and placing Gibbs in defense for the suspended Clichy. Djourou was once again paired with Toure in the center of defense, and Sagna took his usual place at right back.

The midfield consisted of Eboue on the right, Song, Ramsey (facing his former club), and Nasri on the left. Van Persie was joined with Bendtner up front.

Almunia was on the bench, along with Vela (who was not named as a sub as he appeared ill in the warm-up), Gallas, Whilshere, Denilson and Diaby.

Cardiff dominated the first 20 minutes of the game, missing a couple of early chances, and missing a couple more around the 20 minute mark. You got the feeling that Cardiff were going to score on the attack, and any chance Arsenal were going to have would come on the counter.

Rather than get in to a play by play, let's focus on reviewing the player performances.

Goal

Lukasz Fabianski had a strong game in goal, and what on target shots Cardiff did have, he was ready and well positioned. He also tried his best to mount the counter attack, with several long direct throws to the midfield to help spring some form of offensive. He looked bright, energetic and in command.

Defense

Bacary Sagna had a fairly good game, along with Johan Djourou, Kolo Toure and Kieran Gibbs.  Too often though Tour and Djourou would allow the Cardiff players to get space for a shot, rather than close them down. It looked a bit like the Arsenal back four were holding something back, rather than going all out. There were also very few overlapping runs and crosses coming from the wing-backs.

Midfield

One word. Dreadful. Emmanuel Eboue seems more and more out of place with the team, and he got booked (rightly so) for simulation in trying to win a penalty. His passing was without purpose, and he had a tendency to run towards the middle of the park, instead of trying to widen out the pitch and draw corners. Baffling. He was substituted in the 67th minute, and seemed rightly displeased with his performance.

Not sure what kind of backside kicking he needs though to smarten up.

Alex Song was OK, but by 'ok' I mean "he didn't cost us a goal". He was just, well, "there". Same could be said for Aaron Ramsey, who seemed pretty ineffective and poorly matched with his midfield brethren. He was taken off in the 60th minute. 

Samir Nasri should be made to practice taking shots with his weaker foot, as the time he spent setting himself up for a right footed shot allowed the Cardiff keeper to get in to position to stop which should of been a sure goal.

Forwards

Robin Van Persie tried his best to cope with the inadequacy around him, and was the brightest of the attacking players. Nicklas Bendtner was true to form, and looks like he is best suited to be a "super sub" rather than starting striker.

Substitute Jack Wilshere came on too late to be any consequence in turning around the fortunes of the club, and Emmanuel Adebayor will rue missing a sitter. Diaby was laughable and ineffective, and spent most of this time on the grass. How a man his size can be so weak is beyond me. He is NOT anything like Viera.

Overall, fairly weak away performance from the team. I cynically thought that Arsene was playing it safe to rest up before the EPL match in only a couple of days. Surely he will be happy with a rematch being played at the Emirates.

And he surely must be happy that he has drawn a home fixture in the next round against either West Brom or Burnley (can anyone say 'revenge'?) should Arsenal succeed against Cardiff in February's fixture.

Still, expected more, and got less. Kind of like Arsenal's 2008/2009 campaign thus far.