FA Cup third round action today as Sunderland visit the Emirates. There's no doubt the cup has been fantastic for us in the last couple of seasons – two finals, two wins, lots of hugging, and you'll never hear me say a bad word about it as a competition. It was formative for me as an Arsenal fan. My first genuine Arsenal recollection is the 1979 final, and the joy of winning, even if it was tinged with late terror when United scored twice before Alan Sunderland got that late, great winner. The following year we faced West Ham in the final. Arsenal defending the trophy against a Division 2 side, what could wrong? I tell you, learning about how football can lift you up, then so quickly...
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