Middlesboro deserved to win. I don’t think the senior players have the same level of motivation in the Carling Cup. It may be unconscious, and they may not be able to help it, the same way players power down when playing reserve football, but in my humble opinion, that’s the way it is. The superkids who beat Wolves should have been left to play for better or worse, but perhaps that?s Monday morning quarterbacking.
I personally didn?t really think we would win, as the team lacked teeth up front. Let?s not be greedy; even Arsenal can?t win everything. And do you want us to do a ?Neverkusen, i.e. get to the ?finals? of three competitions and lose all ? like Bayern Leverkusen did in 2002 ? Boro wanted it more than we did ? just look how they were celebrating after the final whistle. 128 years with nothing to show will do that for you, but for the record I?m betting on Bolton.
Reyes will clearly need time to settle. I thought he had a poor game, though he showed flashes of talent. There was really no understanding between him and Bentley or the others. Arsenal?s play depends on that, which is why the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Henry, Pires, Bergkamp, Ljunberg and even Sol. took time to reach their best. In fact with the possible exception of Gilberto no Wenger signing has ever been an instant hit. It?s unfair to expect any different for Reyes. Players new to the Premiership often comment on how physical it is. Pires admitted that when he just arrived he was secretly glad to be on the bench, because it was so tough. I?m not sure how this compares with Spain, but there is also far less time to dwell on the ball, the speed at which the game is played.
Bentley and Clichy are still young. They have much to learn and need to bulk up, as they will, as they grow older. Promising youngsters, and confidence is not in short supply. Hope they can get more playing time this season.
Which brings me to Wiltord. Wenger has said he wants Wiltord to stay, Wiltord said the club has said nothing to him recently about a new contract (He wants a four-year, the club is offering two) and accepts exit as inevitable. I think Wiltord remaining is a MUST. He fits in neatly in the free flowing Arsenal attack. He reads the game well, and he still has at least two good years in him. He plays well on the right as a back up for injury prone Freddie, or partners well with Titi. He also has a good physical presence and a knack for scoring vital goals. Ali is still growing and is also injury prone. Kanu will almost certainly leave this summer. Reyes may need time to peak and even if he does there is need for a backup striker. Bergkamp is older and ageing, ageing well albeit, but ageing nonetheless. His niggling injuries will get worse and he probably won?t be worth more than twenty-five games a season next year.
I wonder why Wenger didn?t pick him (Wiltord) for this game. I understand he was fit. This game showed that without Henry, and with Ali injured, goal scoring options may be few. With the team stretched so thin for strikers, at the very least I?d like to see him back on the bench.
11 Responses to “The Carling Cup, Wenger and Wiltord”
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February 4th, 2004 at 4:02 am
I agree with most of what you say, at times we totally domninated the game but our lack of firepower let us down. Someone should tell Reyes we change ends at half time in England. He showed flashes of skill, but for me was disappointing. But one thing he can be assured of is that Arsenal fans will give him as much time as necessary to settle down as long as he shows passion.
I disagree with one comment. Freddie was an instant hit, coming off the bench to score against ManUre. Gilberto shouldn’t be mentioned in the same breath. Yes, he scored in the Charity/Community Sheild anda couple since, so what.
Arsenal fans gave Gilberto a whole season to settle down, he had played a long season in Brazil followed by the world Cup and straight into the Premier League. But he’s not doing it on a regular basis, His teammates are carrying him, his passing is woeful and his defensive ability consists of shadowing a player and rarely tackling. A pile of shite. My opinion.
As for Wiltord, he has scored some vital goals for us and will forever be remembered for his goal at Old Trafford. But when he has played this season his positoning has been laughable. I’ve never known a player to be caught offside so many times and not just border line cases, but several yards. The time has come for him to move on.
ARSENE KNOWS
February 4th, 2004 at 10:36 am
The saga of Wiltord / Kanu / Bergy will be interesting. With Freddie and Bergy injured so often, (every season)… we obviously need viable options as back-ups. Wiltord & Kanu have filled that role admirably. I have a feeling that Wenger will go with the budding young studs next year. I wouldn’t be against Wiltord signing for a few more years. I do think he’s a good player. (although not worth what we payed for him!)
Silva… as I have said before, must be doing something that Wenger likes alot. He starts more than any other option. I think he plays very well defensively and helps the back 4.
You simply can’t beat a full premiership team that is highly motivated, with the squad we put out there against Boro in the Carling Cup. Thats asking too much for the kids to do. It was a great run for the youngsters, and I am happy with that.
February 4th, 2004 at 1:16 pm
?Wenger?. I guess his pride and ego is getting bigger. It was obvious we need a stronger team after the first leg. And anyone who thinks Wenger didn?t care about his cup is having a laugh. The 54th red card of Wenger’s reign - but amazingly it was Wenger who accused Boro of “professional fouls” as the Gunners turned the Teessider’s moment of glory sour. A true Gunner with the Arsenal blood but no excuses here and a true football fan.
About the game, as I mention yesterday the big losers here are the kids. Most of them will never be seen at Highbury again. For the past 2/3 seasons most of the kids who play for Arsenal in either the FA or CC cup are still on loan or sold. A good fu##king turnover of kids. We were in it to win it so excuses don?t work for me. Tell that to the fans who went to Boro to watch the game. Let just real here people and I know Arsenal can?t win every competition true but once you are in it go for it. This was the semi-final to remind others and not the first round. As for Reyes I hope he bound back strong and his confidence is not damage.
As for Wiltord, guys do you remember the good days of Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole. They were the best strike force but move so I don?t see the big deal here. Bye Bye to him and Kanu. Thanks for your time at Arsenal. As for Gilberto the jury is still out. He plays because we don?t have a better player simple
February 4th, 2004 at 2:48 pm
Are you suggesting that Wenger should have put our first team out there?
Nobody would have wanted to see all our star players appearing in this match. Edu got hammered and almost went out injured. Imagine the fury if Henry or Pires had played in the match and gotten injured??? for what?? the Carling Cup?
I don’t agree that this was a very important match. Obviously, it wasn’t as important as our upcoming matches in the league, FA CUP, and CL. Wenger said this… it is fact.
February 4th, 2004 at 4:27 pm
Caring Cup who cares but you right on all points. I know how passionate you might be and is hard to mouth of your team but Arsenal turnover of young players is a joke. I keep hearing we building a team for the future but these lads don?t last more than 3 seasons and out. Volz went on loan never to be seen but still have Lauren. Wenger is getting funny with his comments. He can?t accept he put that team out. M?Boro won fair and square. Don’t get me wrong, I defiantly rate him as a top manager but most fans are getting sick and tired with his comments
February 4th, 2004 at 4:48 pm
Sometimes breaking into the first team is like getting a job - there has to be a need. There was a need that Kolo took advantage off. Arsenal is solid in most other positions. Most of these kids are so good that understandably they want to play and not be on the bench. Would Volz after tasting first team soccer at Fulham had been content to sit on the bench waiting for his chance? Remember places have to be won, not given.
February 4th, 2004 at 4:49 pm
It was only the Carling Cup. It is not what Arsenal’s season is about. As said before. Imagine we play Henry, Pires etc. We win the game but they get serious injury. We go on to win the Carling Cup but crash out of Champions Leage, FAC and falter in EPL. Do you think everyone would say “but we won the Carling Cup, it’ a been a good season”. No Wenger would rightly get slaughtered for playing those guys.
Regarding the high turnover of youg players. Surely this is natural. If they’re good enough they’ll get in the team. If by 20 or so it’s not happening then Wenger believes it probably never will and so let’s the guy go to have a career somewhere else. Everyone talks about Upson for example. Well is he better than Campbell or Toure. Would he have been happy to continue being a reserve and watch his career disappear. Is Volz better than Lauren? I don’t think so.
You say, you feel sorry for the kids. What do you mean? You’re complaining that we didn’t play a stronger team with less of the kids in it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 4th, 2004 at 4:54 pm
Oh God let forget Arsenal for a day and say a big well done to City. This is the FA cup at its best.
The other half of north london are drinking special after yesterday’s game. For a team to come back from 3 nil down with 10 men to win 4-3 is unbelievable.
Shame on Tott!!! ham alway losing.. You shit.
February 4th, 2004 at 5:05 pm
Well Guys I hear you all but will be back with my responses soon. At The moment I am in fantasy land after watching the best ever FA cup. The best game of the season period.
Sure we beat Inter 5 -1 but this game was something. More drinks and back later.
February 4th, 2004 at 5:11 pm
I assume you speak of the 4-3 win by Citeh!
now THAT IS FUNNY!…
How embarrasing is it to lose a match after being up 3-0, and your opponent has 10 men!!!!!!!!!!
Way to go Spurtz!!!!!!
February 4th, 2004 at 5:26 pm
Amazing Spurs/City game. Maybe the best comeback I’ve ever seen. Great spirit by City. Disgraceful collapse by Spurs, but what do you expect these days?
I’m sure some posts on this will be coming soon.
Going back to my couch and the Arsenal/City replay
Yipee..yipee.yoo…