Arsenal 3(5) – 1(3) Tottenham – 31/01/07 – (Carling Cup) 1 February, 2007
Posted by lasagnechef in Cup Games.trackback
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.
two things: firstly, Lennon reported ill 30mins from kick-off and spuds fucked up their team-sheet so they only actually had 4 usable subs; secondly, the Rosicky shot was cannoning (see what I did there?) back out and only chimbonda’s touch took it over the line. Doesn’t matter though, we thouroughly outplayed them over the 2 legs and deserve our spot in the final.
I’d like to see Denilson start rotating with Cesc now so that the boy wonder can get a bit of a rest. Maybe he and Diaby can play up at Bolton in the cup replay.
i would play the following:
Almunia
Toure Senderos
Hoyte Clichy
Gilberto
Flamini
Fabregas Rosicky
Aliadiere
Henry
*
There was no way Rosicky’s shot was going into the side netting! It was on the way out, not in. Thankfully Chimbonda was on hand to see justice done for Tom.
I wouldn’t get so carried away saying Denilson could be better than Cesc. He was great last night, no question, and we all hope that’s a sign of things to come. And if he comes close to Cesc, then we will have another exceptional player. But Cesc is right now in a class of his own amongst young footballers in Europe and is already one of the best midfielders in Europe. At 19. Let’s hope him and Denilson form a great partnership in years to come. Both are good tacklers, passers, and shooters. Sweet!
I dont see…
I think Denilson is a better shot than Cesc and could see him progress as an even better player than the Great Fab. In the two games against Spurs, this fearless kid has been pretty flawless and has hit about 4 exceptional 30yarders. For them to play together you would need Gilberto too and we could see Arsenal form a ‘diamond’ midfield with Rosicky or Hleb playing the front axis. It will become a phenomenal midfield and probably Denilson’s sudden emergence will convince Wenger to sell Muamba to Birmingham.
What impressed me was the difference clichy made when he came on. Wenger really was right to let cashley go. Clichy’s only drawback is that he seems to get a bit gun shiy when he gets into the opponent’s penalty area. Once he sorts out that final ball he’ll be great. Same goes for walcott.
denilson better than cesc? Scary.. in a good way
Lets not get carried away with Denilson. Sure he looks the biz but it will take a while for him to get the consistency the Cesc has. Denilson has only been here since the summer and has only played a few first team games. Fabregas’ rise has been meteoric, from 16 to 19 he has gotten to the stage of a plyer of 25. And remember its centre of the park too, where its very strange to see a lad so young become so influential. Its unlikely Denilson will progress at the same rate(i hope he does) but in 2 or 3 years he has the making of a star. Same goes for Theo. The kid is 17 and he is getting stick from some corners. Not everyone can ride like the Cesc has in such a short time but Theo will come good, no doubt.
That should have read rise like the Cesc. I know nothing about his riding abilities.
Fantastic result against the Spurs.
I really hope these lads will lift the first trophy of the year late this February. Bravo.
BELLY TIME!!!
denilson = DECENT
West Ham better buy him!
In my dreams
Please lord, a simply prayer.
Bolton and Portsmouth dropped points this week. Let us take a simple 3 from middlesborough. L
et henry run as if he was 29 again. Let cesc boss the midfield. let no one on our team pull a groin or hamstring or ankle or elbow or anything else that only arsenal seem to pull every game. and let us play the beautiful game, or, barring that, let’s break their legs and get all 3.
oh, and if eboue plays, let him roll on the ground as if crucified only to resurrect and cross the ball for a truly miraculous goal.
Amen.
Amen.
I know this is off the wall, and you guys know I love Arsenal, but I was just wondering–did you guys like Princess Diana when she was alive? Call me crazy for posting this on a blog about Arsenal, but I was just wondering just how popular she was over there in Britain. And how do you guys feel about Prince Charles?
voyeur ass
Master information for voyeur ass.