Leyton Orient 1-1 Arsenal

It seems everything in life is connected. It may not be obvious at first, but give it enough time and it will become connected.
Arsenal faced Leyton Orient in a FA Cup match today. It was a draw even though Arsenal probably should have dominated a bit more and won. My soccer love, Tomas Rosicky, scored Arsenal's only goal today. It was good to see him on the field after not a lot of activity, sickness, and pulled muscles. I'm beginning to prep myself for him to leave Arsenal soon just because he is getting old, isn't starting as much, and Wenger doesn't like to keep older players.
But back to connections. Leyton Orient is a League One team. The FA cup is about the only time they'll face someone from the Premiership. But unlike some other League One teams, I was slightly familiar with Leyton Orient.
Why? Because of Nick Hornby. Author of the great memoir Fever Pitch. For a while in Hornby's soccer fan career, he follows a small team from Cambridge. And Cambridge just happens to play Leyton Orient. And one of those games ended up as a chapter in Fever Pitch.
The final result? I have heard of Leyton Orient. It really is a small world...

The Game

It killed me to have to leave for basic in the middle of a World Cup. I almost cried the day I received the final results in the mail form my parents because I was so happy to get them. Spain 1-0 Netherlands. I wish I could have seen that game and a bunch of the others leading up to it. I watched Spain 1-0 Portugal the night I was at MEPS and it was such a beautiful game. Even with C. Ronaldo playing.
I also spent a lot of time thinking about Arsenal. On runs I would tell myself I was keeping up with T.Rosicky. I sang the Theo Walcott chant in my head almost daily. My weapon was christened Arsne Wenger. I wondered about transfers and what the new kits looked like. Seeing what happened during the transfer window shocked me a little, but I'll get used to it and the new players we got. Surprisingly, the home kit that was leaked in June was almost accurate so that wasn't a shock. The white collar will take some getting used to for me, but its a sweet kit.
I missed being able to kick a ball around. I missed the game. And the first thing I did when I got my cell phone back was check the scores.

West Ham 1-2 Arsenal

Arsenal played their first match of the year today. It was a FA Cup game and Arsenal had to face West Ham. Arsenal won 2-1, although I will say I think West Ham is a solid club. I think some of the other FA Cup games were a little more interesting though. Manchester United lost to League One Leeds. Liverpool drew 1-1 with Championship Reading. I wish Reading had won, but I'm fine with a replay as long as they can beat Liverpool at Anfield. Actually, the rest of the matches were quite predictable with the Premier League teams comfortably beating the other teams. In perspective, the FA Cup isn't a whole lot, but since Arsenal haven't had any silverware for a few years, even the FA Cup would be nice. All they have to do is get there.

Happily, I get to go back to school tomorrow. Each day means one day closer to graduation and me going off to basic training. And remember, "If you do not believe you can do it then you have no chance at all." -Arsene Wenger

Manure 2- 1 Arsenal (A)

I am in a sulking mood. I am slowly coming out of it. Yesterday was an abomination. Go look at a review of the game yourself. I’m not even going to begin to explain it.

Abou Diaby should be ashamed of himself. An own goal when we were tied! He lost the game. What happened to the focus we had the first few games?

We always receive too many cards at Old Trafford. Always. I can’t explain it. Tottenham are our deepest rivals by many, but I think the Arsenal and Manchester United are out for blood even more. Why is the refereeing always so poor?

Coach Wenger was sent off the pitch shortly before the game ended. There had been a disallowed goal and Wenger kicked a water bottle. The refereeing association is going to issue Wenger an apology. Wenger made these comments after the game:

"I just kicked a bottle of water. I did it because I was disappointed, not because I thought it wasn't offside. The fourth official called the referee over and he sent me off. I don't know what to say. I didn't even know where to go. I didn't know you were not allowed to kick a water bottle, although it was a good kick."

I think Wenger should get quote of the season for that. The last line is wonderful.

I will eventually get over this game even though strange things always happen at Old Trafford. Next week is Manchester City. I hope we can kick some Adebayor and Toure butt.

Source for Wenger’s quote: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/30082009/58/premier-league-managers-wenger-explains-himself.html