But Arsenal and Liverpool were both held to draws
yesterday, leaving them to fit a replay into their already chaotic
schedules that include vital Premier League and Champions League
clashes.
After seeing his side held 0-0 by Championship Cardiff,
Gunners boss Wenger admitted: “We could do without it, 100 per
cent. But let’s not complain because we play football. It’s one
more game to play.
"If that’s the price we have to pay to stay in the hat,
we’re happy to do it. “We are very short at the moment and cannot
rotate our players much. “I could rest a few players today but not
as many as I’d wanted. “I’d planned to take Robin van Persie off
but it didn’t work out that way. At 0-0 anything can happen. But I
wasn’t too worried in the second half. They created more chances in
the first half.”
Liverpool chief Rafa Benitez saw his side held 1-1 by
Merseyside rivals Everton for the second time in a week. He said:
“We have a lot of games coming up but we have a big squad and we
can manage it.
“We have good players who can come in and when you play
so many games you need that. “I made four changes today and it was
a strong team because we want to progress. “It would be better if
these games were all finished on he day, with no replays, but
that’s not how it is done.”
While Wenger was groaning, Cardiff boss Dave Jones was
delighted his side earned a money-spinning second crack at the
Gunners. Jones said: “We gave it a go. With a little bit more
composure or luck, it might have gone for us. “There were one or
two boos in the last minute that we were keeping the ball in the
corner, but we’re playing Arsenal.
“Give us a break. What we showed today is that we can
match the best. “When we were getting booed in the last couple of
minutes for keeping the ball, the only one cheering on our side was
the chairman.
“It will be a massive pay day for us down there next
week.”
