Next Game

Indonesia All Stars v Arsenal

Sunday, 14 July 2013, 20:30

Friendly Match

St James' Park, Newcastle

Last Game

Newcastle 0 - 1 Arsenal

Sunday, 19 May 2013, 16:00

Barclays Prem

Vermaelen targets FA Cup joy

Defender Thomas Vermaelen believes Arsenal's FA Cup destiny lies in their own hands as they prepare to face Swansea in Wednesday's third round replay.

Last Updated: 16/01/13 at 19:04 Post Comment   

Thomas Vermaelen: Arsenal defender has his sights on FA Cup win over Swansea

Thomas Vermaelen: Arsenal defender has his sights on FA Cup win over Swansea

The Gunners were branded "timid" by manager Arsene Wenger following Sunday's 2-0 Premier League defeat by Manchester City - a result that extends their winless streak in 2013 to three matches.

Wenger's men fought back to lead 2-1 in the original third round tie with Swansea before a late Danny Graham goal sent the game to a replay.

Vermaelen, 27, was an unused substitute during that match but saw enough to be confident ahead of the replay at Emirates Stadium.

"Looking at the Swansea game in its entirety, I think we deserved to win. We had plenty of chances and I don't think anybody could have complained if we had gone through to the next round," Vermaelen said.

"At 2-1 up that late in the game, you would like to see it through. It is never nice to concede in the final few minutes, but we will look forward to the replay and feel that our FA Cup destiny lies in our own hands."

Wenger felt his men paid the price for not closing out the original tie after they

had recovered from going behind to Michu's strike just before the hour thanks to goals from Lukas Podolski and Kieran Gibbs.

"After going 2-1 up I felt we were a bit too nervous in some situations and

lacked defensive serenity," said the Frenchman. "Hopefully this will change and we will gain some more confidence defensively."

Arsenal will be without defender Laurent Koscielny after his red card against Man City and injured midfielder Mikel Arteta as they look to set up a fourth-round clash at Championship side Brighton.

Related News

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

Y

et another example of Cameron's broken Britton.

varicoseregent
Britton prepares for surgery

I

ve heard his older brother might be joining as part of the deal too... Roland.

wezmond
West Ham sign defender Rat

I

think it's time anyway. That hat must smell awful by now. Time for a change and a rinse

levi
Pulis' Stoke exit confirmed

Footer 365

TP disappointed to leave Stoke

Tony Pulis is disappointed to have left Stoke but understands the board's wish to take the club in a different direction.

Former Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov to take up coaching role at the club

Aston Villa have confirmed that Stiliyan Petrov will take up a coaching role with the club.

Toon not keen on Carroll

Newcastle will not pursue their interest in re-signing Liverpool striker Andy Carroll this summer.

Mail Box

Mails: Jol Out And Other Demands...

You might notice that we haven't included a single mail about teams in pubs, because most of them were terrible. Instead we have a disgruntled Fulham fan and Scouse maths...

A Night In The Pub With Aston Villa...

Villa are the latest team to get the pub treatment, while the morning mailbox also includes missives on Tony Pulis leaving Stoke and Chelsea's future under Jose Mourinho...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved