Jeremie Aliadiere scored twice to give the Gunners a 2-0 League Cup victory over West Brom at the Hawthorns tonight. Along with the Frenchman, the squad was made up mostly of Arsenal reservists, inluding Manuel Almunia, Matthew Connolly, Johan Djourou, Mark Randall, Mathieu Flamini, Alex Song, Armand Traore, and Denilson. However, Philippe Senderos saw his first action since his return from injury, joining other first teamers Gael Clichy, Theo Walcott, and Emmanuel Adebayor.
Unfortunately, Adebayor suffered a knee injury halfway through the first half, and was forced to come off. Traore played in his stead, and by all accounts was quite impressive.
So, the Gunners are in the draw for Round Four, and now turn their attention back to the League. Everton visit the Grove this weekend, as does a very special guest. The Queen Herself will be marking the “official” opening of Ashburton Grove with a special ceremony before kickoff. As for kickoff, the match will be shown live on Setanta’s PPV channel at 10 AM ET, and delayed on Setanta USA at 3PM ET.
29 Responses to “West Brom 0 - 2 Arsenal”
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October 24th, 2006 at 4:59 pm
Stag called it.
October 24th, 2006 at 5:04 pm
Obviously… I’ve been a big supporter of Jeremie Aliadiere. So I am ecstatic that he got his chance tonite, and made good.
2 goals and leading the way for the Arsenal.
I like the Carling Cup, simply because the kids get a chance to shine against some good competition.
I can’t wait to see the highlights.
VERY Happy for Ali… hopefully he will get a shot in the first team at some point. After all he’s been thru with injuries and loan spells, I certainly think he deserves a chance, or at least a half-chance!
Good win… good to see our youngsters produce in this tournament yet again, and looking forward to the next round.
I hope Adebayor isn’t injured too badly. I don’t think he’s all that… but its nice to have the depth at your disposal… maybe this will be Aliadiere’s chance in the first team?
By the way… I compared him to Kanu… less than favorably. Any idea who leads the English Prem. in scoring at the moment for a mediocre team??
yes… thats right. KANU with (6) goals.
You can’t not like Kanu… he loved playing for the club… and he does have skills and can produce a bit of magic at times. Good for him.
Go on Arsenal!
October 24th, 2006 at 5:06 pm
the queen herself is coming?? that is pretty rare in itself….
it SURELY guarrantees places in the match team for walcott and hoyte!! LOL
October 24th, 2006 at 5:08 pm
yup hats of to ali (and to stag
)
and he def deserves a go now…it wud be unfair on him otherwise
October 24th, 2006 at 5:10 pm
kanu should never be rated by the number of goals he scored…thats the mistake a lot of people make…..sooner or later the goals will dry up and ppl would start slating him.
he is an excellent player and probably one of the most skillful players possible….more in the mould of bergkamp, but a bit more cheeky.
if not for his heart problem which slowed him down considerably he would have been an all-time great (possibly)…
but dont give the argument that kanu is better than adebayor because he has scored more goals this season. he is better for various OTHER reasons.
October 24th, 2006 at 5:20 pm
bendntner and larsson BOTH scored against premiership opposition (sheffield united). bendntner CONTINUES to look very PROMISING !!!
well, i have never been a fan of aliadere and im still not convinced…but i guess i have to accept he does deserve a bench place against everton, especially now that adebayor is injured.
October 24th, 2006 at 5:25 pm
Yep! Ali deserves a chance with the first team. At 23, he can still improve. Hope Adebayor is fine. Adebayor is still young and can improve. For a start, he is more mobile than Kanu though his touch may not be as good as Kanu’s. I will always remember Adebayor for scoring the winner against ManUre and start Arsenal on the current run of form. Didn’t get to see the game but looking at the WBA teamlist, they looked like the EPL team of last season. So certainly no pushovers. For the young Arsenal team to win 2-0 at their home ground says alot about Arsenal. In fact, I would like to see the second team play in the FA cup as well.
October 24th, 2006 at 6:32 pm
I’ve never been a huge fan of Ali, mostly because of all the injuries. I just don’t feel that you can put much faith in players who struggle with them. That said, I think he deserves to at least get some time as a sub. He has come in, worked hard and hasn’t complained. At the very least he may end up being a good squad player.
October 24th, 2006 at 7:09 pm
Aliadiere should get his chance from the bench on Saturday as Adebayor is injured.
However, before singing his praises, remember he is two years older than Adebayor, has had several chances on loan and at Arsenal and has not been able to stay injury-free and/or in a team. I am not condemning him but I am reserving judgement. Similarly, I don’t think players like Flamini or Song should be written off yet. If a player gets to 24 or 25 and is not doing it, they never will. That is why this year is so crucial for Aliadiere. Hope rather than expect he does well. Even if he doesn’t make it as a first team regular, I do hope he stays at the club (didn’t he sign a four-year contract last year) because at the very least he is locally qualified under UEFA rules and would make a good fourth choice.
October 24th, 2006 at 8:50 pm
Aliadiere has never really got his chance in the first team has he, I always thought he had potential - but he is 23 now. It doesn’t show much ambition that he has sat in the reserves at Arsenal for 7 years.
I don’t think he will ever make it at Arsenal, and I don’t think he will ever be really given a proper chance. But with Baptista & Adebayor (probably) out he might well get time in the first team - so really he has to do something pretty spectacular and fast. But I don’t mind him being in the first team to find out, I value him enough for that.
October 24th, 2006 at 11:13 pm
I think this is the most young talent Wenger has ever had at the club. Some of the most important decisions that he makes it the next few years will revolve around which ones to keep. He has a pretty good track record so far, as I can’t think of a single player that has been at Arsenal and left that I would really want back. Maybe Vieira if he reutrned to his form a few years ago, and it would have been fun to see Anelka and Henry play together, but I am not sure how well that would have actually worked.
October 25th, 2006 at 12:01 am
After seeing the highlights…
Ali made a beautiful move to get into the box and was brought down… so he deserved to take (and score) the penalty.
The second goal was pretty good as well… it just shows that he has CONFIDENCE out there. Hopefully he gets his chance and shines, and is so impressive that he never looks back… and becomes Henry’s regular partner up front.
Hell… he’s 23… still young… still a chance to become a star.
October 25th, 2006 at 12:39 am
Delighted with the result. Wasn’t Curtis Davies playing for West Brom?
Unlike previous years, Connolly and Denilson were the only non first team starters. Randall came on later. It was a young side, but not a very inexperienced one. It shows the depth we have now.
I am happy for Aliadiere. I have hardly seen him play, so can’t comment on that. I doubt AW will play him in front on RvP, Ade and possibly Baptista. He has a fight on his hands. It’s a good sign that our 4th choice striker is in good form.
The return of Senderos and Clichy is great news. It can add competition and rotation to the defence. Djourou can take a well deserved rest.
October 25th, 2006 at 3:19 am
Davies got injured early in the season and isn’t due back until the new year.
October 25th, 2006 at 3:44 am
I am happy the boys went out and handled their business last night. It’s especially good for Ali to get a couple of goals. He’s always been a good player with descent pace and clinical finishing. I always believed he could be as good as Anelka as they possess the similar qualities but he needs to stay fit.
Wenger said he’s not bring in anyone in the winter transfer window and I can honestly say this is good. Our young guys know that if they’re good enough they’ll play. That gives them belief. When you add up the guys that are first teamers, the guys that played last night, and the guys on loan we simply don’t need new players. In fact, we have to streamline. Some of our loan guys are developing nicely and will be ready to comepete for a place upon their return. We need a keeper though as Almunia will never be as good as Lehmann.
October 25th, 2006 at 5:13 am
Funny. Both BBC and Arsenal.com list him in the West Brom squad.
What a contrast in fortunes for him. In the summer, he was touted as joining us. Now he is beaten by the second string Arsenal.
October 25th, 2006 at 7:17 am
no, curties davies PLAYED against us yesterday…and thats for sure.
maybe you are confusing him with another davies.
October 25th, 2006 at 9:34 am
Well done Ali, one of the live commentators commented on his movement and ability to play in the team. We all believe he has the talent. Why is he pegged behind Van Persie then who seemingly disrupts our flow?
October 25th, 2006 at 11:00 am
He has been injured and re-injured.
The fact that Wenger has never released him… and has stayed with him, shows that he has belief in Aliadiere. He is ONLY 23 after all.
There are many supporters who state… WENGER KNOWS.
So, if he knows… and he has stuck with Aliadiere thru all the injuries, then he must have serious belief that he will become a good player for the team. Otherwise, he’d have been released long ago.
October 25th, 2006 at 11:10 am
For those who haven’t seen the goals: http://youtube.com/watch?v=nILM7VfN64U
October 25th, 2006 at 3:35 pm
WHO WORE THE CAPTAIN'S ARMBAND?!?!?!!?!
anybody….
October 25th, 2006 at 4:39 pm
Almunia, I think.
October 25th, 2006 at 5:13 pm
sweet… thanks
October 25th, 2006 at 5:27 pm
Wenger kept Remi Garde, Pascal Cygan and Gilles Grimandi as squad members for much longer than most fans thought they deserved. They were all French, average, and prepared to wait for their chance and to step back when the top stars return. Aliadiere and Flamini fit that profile from the current squad. Young English players will not put up with that (Hoyte may be the exception) but you need decent fourth choice strikers and midfielders.
I am not saying that is all Aliadiere will amount to but Wenger knew that those three would stick around and provide occasional cover. Maybe he knows that Aliadiere will do the same.
I noticed that one or two of the reports said that Song played well. Has anyone seen the full game and can comment?
October 26th, 2006 at 8:45 am
According to Setanta’s website, the match will broadcast LIVE for DirecTV customer’s on their alternate channel, 670.
October 26th, 2006 at 10:25 am
I doubt whether Aliadere will be a sub on Saturday. He played well against an average team, and he is scoring goals against reserve teams. But this does not mean he should start up front with Henry. Remember Van Persie scored two goals in the EPL against Charlton and then got dropped.
This guy is a sympathy story, he is a good player, but not great, he is not world class, I would love to be proved wrong but I reckon he will be in France playing football soon.
October 26th, 2006 at 10:51 am
As far as I am aware it was not the Aliadere show. Yes he scored two goals, and had a good game, most people had him as their man of the match so well done to him.
But he is 23, the oldest outfield player, yes he is 2 years older than Adebayor.
He is quick, but Denilson had a great debut, bit off the pace to start but got back into it. As mentioned Song played well, Senderos looked good, he and Djourou seem to have a great partnership.
Walcott is getting better, and I believe these are the future.
October 26th, 2006 at 11:26 am
I’d have to say that Jeremie Aliadiere is about 2 or 3 steps up … talent wise than Matty Flamini, Remi Garde, Gilles Grimandi, and Pacal Cygan.
(I don’t think FLAMINI is French, either!)
Aliadiere is not here to be a squad player. He could start for a top team in France… and if he doesn’t make it here this year, thats where he will end up. He has more talent that all the players you mentioned COMBINED.
But hey… thats just my opinion.
Time will sort it all out!
October 26th, 2006 at 6:42 pm
Last time I checked, Flamini’s birthplace, Marseille was in France. I must admit when I heard of his transfer first, I thought he would be an Italian with that surname.
We can agree to disagree on Aliadiere. I think he will be useful as a squad player but unlikely to be anything more. That doesn’t mean he won’t end up in France playing for a top team. He has the ability to do that. We have bought a lot of players from top teams in France over the years - one Pascal Cygan was defender of the year or something over there.
Playing for a top team in France (apart from Lyon) is equivalent to being a squad player at Arsenal.