Arsenal 2-1 Liverpool – 28/10/09 – (Carling Cup) 29 October, 2009

We’ve reached the Quarter-Finals of the Carling Cup with that 2-1 win over Liverpool last night and we’re set for another exciting year of Carling Cup action for the kids. The draw for the next round is on Saturday and in the hat with us is Man United, Man City, Chelsea, Spurs, Aston Villa, Blackburn and Portsmouth; it’s gonna be tough but after last night the kids will be high on confidence.

Last night was a mix between youth and experience. Nasri, Bendtner and Eduardo all started returning from injury. Fabianski, Senderos and Silvestre despite hardly playing this season provided the experience at the back so it was only really Kerrea Gilbert, Fran Merida and Craig Eastmond who had never had a proper run in the first team. They did themselves proud though, Eastmond made a bit of a name for himself at defensive midfield in front of the home fans for the first time, Merida had a good game and scored a blinding goal whilst Gilbert (and indeed Gibbs on the opposite flank) had a solid game at right back.

I attempted to watch over the internet but struggled finding a stream. I only really got tuned in after about 20 minutes and that’s when we opened the scoring. It started from a throw on the right, Voronin nicked possession but didn’t do enough and Eastmond pounced poking the ball to Merida on the edge of the box who smashed it inside the near post. His first goal for the club and what a goal it was.

We were all over them after we went 1-0 up but luckily for Liverpool they got one against the run of play five minutes later and it was another beauty. A long ball forward was nodded down into the path of Insua who ran onto it, took a touch and blasted it dipping over Fabianksi under the bar. A fantastic strike; it was one of those that even though it was so close to the ‘keeper it was so well hit he could never react to it. I don’t blame Lukasz for it; maybe Bendtner could’ve done better tracking his man though.

We reacted well to conceding and had plenty of chances up the other end. The closest we came to scoring was probably right at the end of the half when a goalmouth scramble came from a corner. I don’t know how Liverpool managed to keep it out but in the end Bendtner’s shot went straight into the ‘keepers arms.

So all level at half time but I would say we were definitely on top. Liverpool started the second half quicker but it was us that was 2-1 up in the 50th minute. It was a fantastic move that started all the way back in the left back position. It was played cross-field to Bendtner on the right who played it and carried on moving central. We were lucky with a couple of miss-placed passes but our persistence paid off and in the end Bendtner picked the ball up around the penalty spot, drove round the defender and smashed it high above the ‘keeper. Another good goal and a bit of a confidence boost for Nicklas who didn’t have the best of games.

There was still a long way to go and Liverpool reminded us of that with a string of attacks. We made some great (and possibly lucky) interceptions at the back and Fabianksi saw one or two shots go just the other side of the post.

With quarter of an hour to go we brought on Sanchez Watt and Mark Randall for Bendtner and Eastmond. Soon after Liverpool brought on Aquilani, what the travelling Liverpool fans had come to see.

Aquilani’s presence raised Liverpool again and soon after the substitution they were unlucky not to make it 2-2. Babel messed up a great low cross from Kuyt and we could breathe a sigh of relief.

We still had most of the possession though and didn’t look that uncomfortable with it, although we were happy enough with just getting it down in the corners.

Late on Aquilani almost had his say when he caught the ball well with a bicycle kick. The ball struck someone in the crowd and Liverpool appealed for handball, I didn’t see it and neither did the referee but the replay showed that the ball hit Senderos in the arms; it would’ve been a bit harsh on Philippe if it was given but it could’ve well been.

In the end it finished 2-1, the visitors might complain about that late penalty shout but we were by far the better team and we’re through to the Quarter-Finals. It was a good performance from our second-string side and Wenger was very happy after the game.

Next up it’s the North London Derby. I’ll be previewing the game tomorrow and also announcing the winners of the book competition. If you haven’t entered already, do so by clicking the link above.

Right, speak to you tomorrow then.