In the grand scheme of things, this was not as bad as the Spurs game nor was it bad as Liverpool’s result. Wenger clearly doesn’t prioritise the FA Cup

I started writing about how much of disgrace Eboue was but I decided after a moment of realisation to leave the witch-hunt to the other blogs and actually put things into perspective.

4-0 at Old Trafford. It still hurts to think about it but at the end of the day it’s a cup game. 4-0, 8-0, 15-0 is the same as 1-0. The scoreline is irrelevant. United were always going to be fired up after the City game and Wenger’s “rather lose than draw” attitude pre-match should leave no-one surprised about what happened.

Yes, the performance was bad. While a lot of people will simply dismiss Wenger’s moans about the pitch, I believe that this had a MAJOR impact on the game. The argument that professional footballers at the highest level should be able to perform in any conditions doesn’t hold water (much like the Old Trafford playing surface). Arsene Wenger and Arsenal Football club pride themselves on the impeccable condition of the Emirates and the training pitches at Colony. The style of football we all enjoy watching cannot be played on something that resembles a swamp. All of United’s goals came from crosses or lofted balls in the air and that’s not a criticism of them. Arsenal play the majority of their football on the ground and the pitch was not conducive to that.

Yes, Eboue’s act of stupidity was unforgivable but would everyone have given Gallas the same stick had he seen red for his petulance? As an Arsenal fan, indiscipline at Old Trafford is nothing new. Adebayor’s dive was far worse for me. Some of what I’ve read this morning would suggest Eboue had pissed on Herbert Chapman’s bust and tried to burn down Holloway Road. Scape-goating gets us nowhere. It’s hardly as if his actions changed the complexion of the game.

In the grand scheme of things, this was not as bad as the Spurs game nor was it bad as Liverpool’s result. Wenger clearly doesn’t prioritise the FA Cup and would rather take this humiliation if it ultimately meant Arsenal lift the league title come May.

5 years ago we won at Old Trafford in this same competition but went on to lose the league. I won’t complain if the situation is reversed this time around.

Hopefully all the knee-jerk reactors will remember we are currently 5 points clear at the top of the league and facing the worst Milan side for years on Wednesday. With the squad the way it is, the domestic cups are a distraction. Arsene can now focus his powers on what really matters.

A little faith please people…