FA Cup: Arsenal Can't Hold On and Will Now Host Leyton Orient

Going in to the match at Brisbane Road, Arsene Wenger knew that he was going to make a number of changes to the team that played against Barcelona mid-week.

Clearly an upset victory for Leyton Orient would have been very welcomed, but at the least they will have wanted a draw and a second lucrative match at the Emirates for the O's.

Bacary Sagna was back in the starting XI after missing the match against Barcelona. Wenger also gave Iganasi Miquel his first start for Arsenal. Miquel partnered the center of the Gunners defense with Sebastien Squillaci who also came back into the team.

Within the first minute Leyton Orient tested Manuel Almunia with a mid range shot that he bobbled, but in the end was not very threatening for the Spanish keeper.

Arsenal was controlling possession but the O's were fighting hard for every ball, which was beginning to frustrate the Arsenal players. Denilson got another shot at the starting squad and in the ninth minute he showed his lack of concentration. As he went into a tackle he lost the ball just outside the Arsenal box and instead of following the play he stood there and complained with the ref while an Orient player controlled the ball with no pressure.

Orient was defending well and it paid off until half time as both teams went into halftime with a 0-0 draw.

Arsenal would come out into the second half with the same mentality and was able to break the dead lock in the 54th minute with Tomas Rosicky heading in a cross from Nicklas Bendtner. Rosicky managed to score his first goal in over a year for Arsenal.

Although down 0-1, the incredible Brisbane Road crowd did not stop encouraging there team. Leyton Orient continued to keep there strategy as they would slowly attempt to push up the field. 

Arsenal continued to play at a very slow pace and with a 0-1 lead, Wenger felt that he did not need to bring in any big guns off of his bench. Rosicky was close to making it 0-2 but Orient keeper Jamie Jones made two big saves to keep his team in the game.

In the closing minutes Andrei Arshavin was in on goal and with a well struck shot he skimmed the back post. Surely that goal would have closed out the match, but Orient still believed that they could pull even.

Jonathan Tehoue came on in the 63rd minute and it was clear that he was capable of changing the match. He was strong on the ball and very quick with the ball at his feet. In the 87th minute, Tehoue split Miquel and Gibbs and with a low struck shot beat Almunia.

Leyton Orient will be very happy with this draw as it will bring in money and another match against Arsenal at the Emirates.

Wenger will not have wanted this second match especially with still being involved in multiple competitions. Could the squad Wenger fielded today put the Gunners through to the next round in the second match at the Emirates?

Surely Wenger can only hope as he will not want to risk using his big guns in this second match.

Man of the Match:

Jonathan Tehoue came into the match and made an immediate effect. He was strong on the ball and he was causing many issues for the Arsenal midfield and back line. Before scoring the goal he brushed off two Arsenal players and sent in a low cross that luckily Squillaci was able to block with his face.

Arsenal Stand Out Player:

It should be said that Tomas Rosicky and Andrei Arshavin showed at times why Wenger has them in his squad. Up until Rosicky scored the goal, he was moving the ball well and getting on the ball very often. After he scored that goal he gained a whole other level of confidence.

Arshavin has a few passes that didn't have enough behind them to reach his teammates but he had a few different moments in the match that gave Arsenal fans a glimpse of what he is capable of. If Arshavin and Rosicky can somewhat get into better form they will surely be a massive help for the remaining few months in the season.

Flop of the Match:

Manuel Almunia has been very criticized for a while now, and after today the criticism will surely continue. In the first minute he bobbled a very easy shot from about 25 yards out and that was enough to remind Arsenal fans of what Almunia is capable of.

On a number of crosses he seemed to be confused on whether he should come out for it or stay in goal. On the equalising goal the ball was struck hard and low but it was very much straight at Almunia. He was to slow reacting and the ball made its way into the back of the net.

Verdict:

Arsenal will now have to play yet another match March 2nd, in an already busy schedule. The winner of this match will be heading to Old Trafford to lock horns with Manchester United. Can Arsenal finally put Orient away and move on or will Leyton Orient prove why the FA Cup is considered to be the most competitive cup in the world?