“With all the talk of Arsenal’s pre-season performances centring around defensive meltdown, it’s arguable (and we will argue that in our next article this week) that replacing Cesc Fábregas – or at least replicating his creativity – will be Arsenal’s main concern this impending season. Frustratingly for us tactical anoraks and dissectors, he hasn’t played a single minute in pre-season which means any tactical conclusions that are to made — if Cesc Fábregas stays of course — will be treading on the hypothetical.” Arsenal Column

“An interesting sub-context to this season has been the running battle between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur fans to ‘prove’ who is the ‘better player’; Theo Walcott or Gareth Bale. Of course, such debates can only be subjective but Spurs currently have the bragging rights on this one as Bale is the PFA Player of the Year. However, if such awards were decided by numbers than intuitive feelings, then perhaps the outcome would have been closer, with arguably Theo Walcott nipping it ahead of the Welshman. (Although we do realise, statistics are not all-conclusive on their own and it is a matter of interpretation).” The Arsenal Column

“If this win is to re-ignite Arsenal’s title challenge – a title challenge which had threatened to actually descend into ‘considerable disappointment’ – then it is probably apt that it was a game which displayed Arsenal’s season in a microcosm that invigorated them. Arsenal were exuberant in attack for most parts, picking off Blackpool’s courageously high backline with ease but were profligate in attack; and that, coupled with a sudden inexplicable nervousness, contrived to throw open the game.” Arsenal Column

“Arsenal had some nervous moments, but attacked intelligently and were comfortable after their third goal. Ian Holloway kept his back four unchanged, but brought four players into the side, with only Charlie Adam and Gary Taylor-Fletcher surviving from the side which lost 3-0 to Fulham last weekend. DJ Campbell returned after suspension. Arsenal had Abou Diaby in for Alex Song, and also had a late change in goal, where Jens Lehmann returned after Manuel Almunia went down with an injury shortly before kick-off.” Zonal Marking

“The Leyton Orient replay win may have seemed an exercise in tedium – a dangerous phrase to use in Arsenal Land – but to get that winning feeling again after the League Cup defeat was ever important. Perhaps playing those players that missed out in the final enabled Arsenal to ensure the job was done rather than allow those first-hand experiencers to wallow in their demons. Football’s a team game nevertheless and as a collective, they suffer the highs and the lows together.” The Arsenal Column

“So the monkey on Arséne Wenger’s back remains. On Sunday, it was viciously clawing and grasping onto Wenger’s shoulders, trying desperately to keep balanced; especially so after Arsenal dominated the middle period of the second-half, aiming shot after shot at Ben Foster’s goal. Today, it rests happily on his back, chain-smoking like a simian Zdeněk Zeman casually wearing a porter’s uniform as if waiting for work – without the trousers, of course. On Wednesday night, it will surely be back to its taunting best, furiously pointing and gesticulating at the manager who faces an FA Cup replay at home to Leyton Orient.” The Arsenal Column

“A very interesting game that Arsene Wenger managed to turn around with a second half change in formation. Arsene Wenger was without Samir Nasri, and chose Tomas Rosicky rather than Andrei Arshavin on the left. The rest of the side was as expected. David Moyes made no changes from the side that drew with Chelsea at the weekend.” Zonal Marking

Arsenal show they have the character for title run-in
“When in a title run-in, there are two ways to assess the crucialness of a fixture in comparison to your rival(s); take it game-by-game and use the league table as your reference or on a team-by-team basis. At 1-0 down against Everton, Arsenal may have done the latter and judged the harshness of the result by the quality of the team they were facing. They knew they had to get a draw at least but because Everton are regarding as a tough team to beat and still have to face Manchester United again, the points dropped could be cancelled out when the pair meet each other.” Arsenal Column

“Leeds were unable to reproduce their heroics of last weekend, as Arsenal progress to the fourth round. Simon Grayson made one change from the first game. Luciano Becchio was out injured, so Billy Paynter came in. Arsene Wenger made three changes from that 1-1 draw – Bacary Sagna and Laurent Koscielny started, whilst Samir Nasri was used in place of Tomas Rosicky.” Zonal Marking

“Arsenal registered a thoroughly comfortable victory over West Ham amid rumours it was Avram Grant’s last game in charge. Arsenal returned to the front six that many consider their strongest, with Andrei Arshavin on the bench. Emmanuel Eboue continued to deputise for Bacary Sagna, whilst the centre-back pairing remained the same as in the midweek defeat to Ipswich.” Zonal Marking

“A penalty for either side – Arsenal’s coming in the final minute – meant these two sides will have to settle the tie at Elland Road next week. Arsene Wenger made sweeping changes to his side, keeping only Alex Song and Johan Djourou from the XI that failed to beat Manchester City. Nicklas Bendtner was used on the right, with Marouane Chamakh upfront.” Zonal Marking

Arsenal 1-1 Leeds United – Video Highlights, Recap, and Match Stats – FA Cup
The 90th Minute

“Arsenal need a win to guarantee progression to the knockout stages of the Champions League, but Partizan Belgrade, with no points so far, are unlikely to provide much of an obstacle. Here are five tactical points about the game, and Arsenal’s European campaign in general.” ITV