It’s rare that I am this upbeat after a loss.

The team gave a committed performance and were the better team on the pitch for the majority of the match. Manchester City were dangerous at times but Arsenal had more chances, created more, and were pushing for the winner at the end.

But games are won by execution and scoring goals, the only thing lacking from this performance by Arsenal. Chamakh and Park’s lack of invention up front didn’t do justice to the work done by an industrious midfield and solid defense that continuously stifled City and created opportunities.

The strikers did not miss sitters, but when we needed that extra bit of quality around the box to produce something special they lacked ideas. A new partnership and tough opponents didn’t help but the bottom line is that the second line needs to be able to carry us when Robin is out. That currently doesn’t seem to be something they are capable of but should get at least one more chance to prove their worth in the now unimportant Champions League match next week.

The biggest shame of the day is that this group doesn’t get the chance to play in the semi-finals of the cup, as watching many of them has been a joy. The beauty of reverting back to our old policy of bleeding the youth in the cup has been evident in the performances we have been able to witness from young talents like Oxlade-Chamberlain, Coquelin, and Frimpong. As they stood out the most they will earn all the plaudits deservedly, but even Miquel held his own against stern opposition and the much maligned Squid had a respectable performance. Credit when credit is due, that is two non-shit performances from him this season, which is good to see even though we pray he never gets near the pitch in the league.

The maturity displayed in midfield from the aforementioned trio belied their age as they ran the show with the help of the assured Benayoun against an experienced team of internationals much their seniors. The tenacity and bite in tackle from Francis and Frimmers was awe-inspiring, Emmanuel making his presence felt by all who dared to battle him and Coquelin making excellent intercepting tackles timed to perfection.

Coquelin’s cool and calculated challenges converted calamity to cavalier forays forward, carving City open and created chances on the counter.

The rapid transition from defense to attack from the two talents left City exposed constantly, the distribution in midfield sublime and seeming to always find the right outlet in transition. Really a shame that their goal came from a similar incisive counter, as we had too many men committed forward.

As ineffective and indecisive as the strikers were, our Ox in the Box was at ease, gliding past defenders and giving the fans the moments that got the out of their seats. He has something. That intangible. When he gets the ball, you get to the edge of your seat, because you know something is going to happen. Not many players stir such emotion, the feeling is reminiscent of Henry. Van Persie has that class, but there isn’t that feeling that he may slalom through four defenders and smash one in like Thierry used to.

Alex used his pace, trickery, and rocket shots with both feet to torment the City defense all night. The giant Ent in goal had to make use of his extensive reach to stop The Ox from scoring a smash headed for the top corner, and if his hands are stinging after the match it is only due to the smashed efforts from Alex that he could only parry away.

In the end, we didn’t do enough to win, but we did enough to scare City and especially Nasri, who seemed to try to sub himself off in the first half only to be told to stay on the pitch. He became so anonymous in the second half that I forgot he was on, seeming to dread hearing himself booed anymore. His ego was visibly damaged, and this led to handbags after the match as he decided to get into it with the unfazed Frimpong after the final whistle.

Rumor has it that it carried on into the tunnel and maybe even involved him throwing a punch at Manny and running down the tunnel to the visitors locker room.
I hope these reports are accurate, as the thought of Chamakh chasing him down the tunnel is hilarious.

$amir has gone from frontrunner a year ago for Player of the Year, to a fringe player who will likely see the majority of his minutes in City’s Europa League campaign come the New Year. How quickly the mighty fall.

We may be out of the Cup but the future looks bright and we have a core of dedicated footballers willing to give it all for the cause. We can only expect these young talents to push on and become more influential within the squad.

As the theme of year continues, Forward Arsenal!