In World War II the average age of the combat soldier was 26…
In the Carling Cup he was 19.
In inininininin the Carling Cup he was 19. N-n-n-nineteen.
There was a time when the Carling Cup was just a sideline. We used to play weakened teams but that was to give the first team a rest and give a run out to some players who were clearly never going to make the grade.
These days it’s all about the youngsters and it really has captured the imagination of Arsenal fans (if not stupid, bald, uncle Fester looking wankers whose opposition to playing young players must surely come from the fact they don’t have an academy to speak of). Last night was another glimpse at the Arsenal of the future and anyone who wasn’t impressed must be very hard to please indeed. Not one of the United starters played last night and the team, according to the commentary, was just a shade older than the one that beat Sheffield United in the last round. I think that’s only because the game was taking place a month later. Time marches on for all of us.
Wigan had probably their best side out, bar the injured Heskey, and started quite brightly. However, it was Chris Kirkland who was the busier of the goalkeepers once things got going. Carlos Vela had the chance to open the scoring but Kirkland saved as the Mexican chose to go around him rather than shoot. From the same move the ball was played in to Jay Simpson who took one touch and whacked a shot onto the bar. Kirkland saved again from Kieran Gibbs, a fantastic Aaron Ramsey free kick which curled as much as I’ve seen any free kick from any Arsenal player, a Carlos Vela curler, and you thought Kirkland was going to have another one of those games he seems to always have against us.
At the other end Fabianski saved from Koumas and the industrious Daniel de Ridder. But the lads got the goal they deserved just before half-time. Jack Wilshere played a quite brilliant ball through for Jay Simspon and the forward’s pace and power saw him get there before the defender to poke it home. 1-0 Arsenal and no less than we deserved.
It was more of the same in the second half although Wigan will feel somewhat unlucky that they didn’t get a penalty when the otherwise impressive Djourou handled a cross for some reason – but after that it was all Arsenal again. Simpson headed a Merida cross just over and Kirkland saved again from Gibbs, the left back popping up in dangerous places all night, and Merida had a long shot saved well by Kirkland. The second goal was pure counter attacking football, the pace of it was frightening. From a Wigan corner Fabianski scuttered it clear, it fell to Ramsey who played a delicious left footed pass into the path of Carlos Vela who outpaced and outmuscled the Wigan defender. He took it into the area, waited, and played it to Jay Simspon who buried his second goal of the night. What a night for the young man.
The third was a thing of beauty. Johann Djourou broke out of defence, played it to Carlos Vela who took it a full pace and under pressure from Titus Bramble produced a sumptuous chip over Chris Kirkland. Hopefully the hamstring injury he seemed to go off with isn’t too serious because this boy looks a real player.
And not to be outdone by his outfield chums Fabianski pulled off a brilliant double save near the end. The first came from a de Ridder run and shot – which for the skill and effort at that stage of the game would have been a goal applauded by the whole ground I think – and from his parry Amr Zaki followed up and the Polish keeper got back to touch it onto the bar. Awesome stuff.
So 3-0 at full time (goals and highlights from Arsenalist) and certainly a well deserved win. Wigan boss Steve Bruce was gracious in defeat, talking up the quality of Arsenal’s youngsters, while Arsene Wenger said:
I enjoyed every minute because it was a big test. They showed a remarkable combination of desire, energy and quality out there tonight. It was a match full of drive, energy, and team spirit up until the last minute.
After the Sheffield United game I said that this is the most complete [youth] side I have had. It is great for the future of the club.
And there is no question we’re seeing some players who have the potential go on and become big, big players for Arsenal. At 16 Jack Wilshere is phenomenal, Aaron Ramsey looks like he could play himself into the first team this season, Vela is so quick and so skillful and I liked Djourou a lot last night. He was aggressive, more assured and led the back four very well. But it’s hard to single people out when to a man the team played as well as they did.
It’s also quite confusing watching the Carling Cup at times. I think criticism of the manager because of the lack of experience in our ‘first’ team is justified yet you look at these players and can’t help thinking he’s some kind of genius. This was a Premier League team, with their best team out, and we mullered them. It makes my brain hurt, but in a good way. I think.
I like the confidence of these young players too. They’re so assured that from time to time poor decisions are made or little tricks that should be saved for the training ground don’t come off. But that doesn’t stop them from trying it again and it’ll work the next time. I like the fact that Gibbs got a hard time in the initial stages of the game, Wigan targeting the diagonal ball over his head for de Ridder or Valencia but he got himself sorted out (obviously with some instruction from the bench) and had a fine game from then on.
But, as Gunnerblog points out this morning, there’s no pressure on them. There’s a level of expectation nowadays because of the results we’ve had in the past, but if Wigan had beaten us last night it wouldn’t have been a big deal. They’re an experienced Premier League team, we’re a bunch of kids with an average age that can barely get a drink in a pub. So that is a factor in how freely they play. The manager himself said after the game that he’s not sure they’re ready for the league yet, but that’s not to take anything away from them though, they deserve all the plaudits they’ll get today. Well done, boys. The draw for the next round takes place on Saturday.
Also, it was good to see some of the senior players there to support the young lads last night. I caught a glimpse of Adebayor, Eduardo and Eboue wearing a fetching pair of specs. Adebayor’s advice to Simspon might not have been mindblowingingly tactical (“Get it on target”) but it obviously meant a lot to the young man who can be very pleased with his night’s work. It was also interesting to see Martin Keown sitting amongst the players. I wonder what’s happening there.
Away from the Carling Cup there was news of Tomas Rosicky. The club announced he had undergone ‘revision’ surgery in Germany and will now follow a rehabilitation plan set out by our medical team. Arsene Wenger said:
The situation looks very positive. They have taken a lot of scar tissue out of his leg and the vibes I got from the surgeon were very positive. I think he could return between six to eight weeks.
That is good news. When we bemoan lack of experience it’d be good to have Rosicky back. Obviously many of us had concerns about his career in general, given the length of time he’s been out and the lack of information regarding his condition, but this news is positive and fingers crossed all goes well in his recovery.
Right then, you may now spend the day talking about which kid you’re most in love with. Erm … more tomorrow.
