Arsenal 3(5) – 1(3) Tottenham – 31/01/07 – (Carling Cup) 1 February, 2007

So we’re on are way to Cardiff where a strong Chelsea side waits. However the team that finished last night included 7 first team players and the only ones you’d say were reserves were Almunia, Hoyte, Walcott, Denilson and Aliadiere. They all played as if they were our regulars though putting in fantastic performances. Traore was good too but was stretchered off early in the second half and replaced by Gael Clichy. The game started off quite even with neither side causing the other any real problems in the final third. The first half wasn’t amazing to be honest; we started in a 4-5-1 with Aliadiere dropping back onto the wing. Even with Jeremie and Theo supporting Adebayor we weren’t allowed to create much and the teams went in level at half time.

We started the second half with two upfront, Wenger obviously felt we weren’t doing well with a lone striker and moved Aliadiere up top. The impact was immediate and we were having much more of the ball in Spurs’ half. At 0-0, officially we were going through but there was no way we could risk that. The away goals rule only applies after extra time in this competition so we couldn’t risk holding on for the draw. You could feel a goal was coming though and it took until the 77th minute for Adebayor to make it one nil to The Arsenal. Rosicky had a powerful shot blocked by Robinson but it came back to an arsenal player and we were still on the attack. Tomas got the ball back on the edge of the box, drove in and played a beautiful through ball to Adebayor who snuck the ball calmly passed the ‘keeper. A really nicely worked goal and we were in a well deserved lead.

We were well on top and it looked like we were going through when Spurs nicked and equalizer 5 minutes from time. They got a free kick on the corner of the box, Jenas played a great ball in and Mido’s header went between the hands of the ‘keeper. A good goal but one I think Almunia could’ve probably saved. 1-1 now and the large section of Tottenham fans were loving it. That goal levelled the tie at 3-3 and took it to extra time. We had a young team out and I wondered if they had it in them to go 120 minutes. Spurs still had Aaron Lennon on the bench and if he was brought on he would’ve caused a tired Arsenal a lot of problems. For some reason he never came on I’ve heard it was another case of food poisoning but that probably bollocks.

Aliadiere made it 2-1 in the 105th minute with a really well taken goal. Denilson crossed it but it wasn’t a very good one and was going straight to a Spurs defender’s feet but for some reason he decided to clear the ball with a diving header even though the ball was on the floor. Stupid fucking tottenham scum, bless him. He got a head to it but it didn’t go anywhere and Aliadiere was there to pounce. He was running away from goal and on the turn shot and squeezed the ball past Robinson at his near post. A really good goal by the boy who’s making the Carling Cup his own.

We sealed the game at 3-1 in the 22nd minute of extra time. I think it was Toure who played a long ball from inside our half to Adebayor in the box. He nodded it down to Rosicky just outside the six-yard box who shot and hit the inside of the post. The ball was just going in the side netting on the opposite side but Pascal ‘I-should’ve-stayed-at-Wigan’ Chimbonda fumbled the ball over the line to take us to Cardiff.

It was another amazing night at the Grove and I have never been so happy before to see us progress in the League Cup. The man who impressed me the most on the night was Denilson. He looks such a great player and I think this guy can be better than Cesc. He can hit the ball well too and forced Robison to make a few good saves. I’m looking forward to see how this guy progresses at Arsenal. As per usual we picked up a few more injuries in this game. I mentioned before Traore being taken off but apparently he was walking around the pitch after the game so it can’t be that bad. Adebayor “has been touched at his knee” and will have a late fitness test ahead of Saturday’s game. Diaby is definitely out for the weekend after twisting his knee ligaments; hopefully it’s not bad, as he’s just come back from a year out.

I should be going to Cardiff but you need three away credits and I’ve only got two…I’ve been to a few away games this year not on my own membership so I’m one short of enough credits for the final. Hopefully I’ll manage to sort out a ticket another way. I should have a Middlesbrough match preview up tomorrow or Saturday daytime but I probably won’t be able to so when I speak to you next could be the match report. I’ll try update the site if I can. See you then.