Terrace Talk (Arsenal): Euro return, but I miss sweet FA Cup

IT’S a sorry state of affairs when one’s aspirations are limited to a desire to see the local rivals prospects of silverware run their course for yet another campaign.

Fortunately normal service will be resumed this week and we Gooners can rely on Eastenders updates from the Lilywhite tom-toms, as the Champions League gravy train is boarded again tonight in Oporto.

Nevertheless, in spite of what seems like a concerted effort to reduce the oldest knockout tournament on the planet to a tawdry sideshow and the prioritisation that is Arsène Wenger’s vindication of our own premature FA Cup exit, I couldn’t watch last weekend’s live selection of beguiling battles for a quarter-final berth, without feeling more than a little gutted about our lack of involvement.