Mac would be proud of Nick's expert celebration of Gray's own goal as his own. I hope Nick gives credit to the master; no doubt he has been watching the videos. Though a word of warning it is best not to take imitating Malcolm Macdonald too far, it can be even more embarrassing than claiming an own goal.

 

Indeed it was the magic of the cup that provided the then Magpie his most embarrassing moment ever. Malcolm McDonald has gone down in FA Cup history for predicting he would put 10 goals past non-league Hereford United in the fourth round in 1972.  Newcastle scored a massive total of one as they went down 2-1 in possibly the most spectacular cup shock of all time. So imitation may be the most sincere form of flattery, but be careful Nick.

Nick wheels away in Macdonaldesque style

Without Gray's own goal Arsenal might have struggled, but thanks to van Persie, who really is finding his old form, scoring two goals the match proved to be comfortable.

I regret that Paul Foot would have found little of interest in a tedious first half. The Plymouth goal brightened things up for a little while, and exposed the usual weakness in the Gunners defence, but overall this was a comfortable victory.

Magic of Cup

Those looking for the magic of the cup must look elsewhere, and indeed elsewhere there was some fine magic. Ironically I was safely ensconced in the Sheriff of Nottingham's Castle, well the pub in its foundations to be precise, when I heard the news that Forest had defeated Man City 3-0. Even more incredibly it was at the City ground, I would love to be a fly on the wall of Hughes' paymasters. I loved the way they paraded Bridges before the match, almost a Macdonald moment.

I am sure Wenger must enjoy Scolari's press conferences, I know I do, at least another top manager has to explain why they conceded in the last minute. If Bendtner imitates Supermac, then Scolari, with all that eye rolling heavenward, must model himself on Groucho Marx. Oh well a nice trip to the seaside on a freezing cold night for them.

Fixture Congestion

Arsenal Times raised this at the start of the season, the fact we had eight games away, out of ten, after CL fixtures. Quite rightly fans told me to hang on as we hadn't gone through the group stage yet.

Now Sir Alex has suddenly noted that he has had nine out of ten away after the CL match days, probably that meaningless jaunt in Japan reminded him. He can't even blame Dein now as he has his own man at the FA. However Wenger admits Alex has a case, he also pointed out that Liverpool had only two away out of ten, and Chelsea six. Could it make a difference? Well whether it does or not it is hardly a level playing field.

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