So its finally upon us. The prize money itself doesnt help us at all but if we lose on Sunday I fear for the morale of our young squad. Teams better than Arsenal and players bigger than those what Arsenal have have choked in big games. While I dont expect we’ll bottle it it’s a big ask for the kids to play in a final against a team of the quality of Chelsea.
I dont know if Ade will start, I really dont..and he probably should but I’d really like to see Ali get the nod with Baps with Ade coming on if and when we’re down a bit. I think Diaby n Denilson will start in the centre of midfield and probably Theo will start wide right. Hleb or Mozart will start wide left , I dont know which one. Cesc probably on the bench with either Hleb or Mozart whoever’s not started. There are rumours that Gilberto hasnt even travelled , dont know how true that is.
The defense pretty much pick themselves..although Gallas has been moaning about wanting to start 
I think AW has stuck to his principles 100% and ruled it out. So it’ll be Traore,Sendy,Kolo n Djourou..with Clichy n Hoyte both on the bench and Almunia in goal.
So that means a bench of: Poom,Clichy,Cesc,Hleb/Mozart,Ali/Ade
The loss of Terry at the back and Essien in the middle has been too well documented so I’m writing about that again. Its simple..If we prevent Chelsea from scoring we will win.
Can we keep Drogba and Shevchenko quiet and will Traore keep Robben quiet? Can Denilson hurry Makelele into hurried distribution? Can Arsenal mark Lampard and Ballack tightly enough so he doesnt shoot from distance?
If these battles are favorably decided in our favor we will win at Cardiff.If Chelsea score twice they will probably win. I say probably because Terry is out..else I’d have said ..Chelsea WILL win.
The heart says Arsenal but the head’s going with the Blues. Chelsea 2 - Arsenal 1 is what the head says it’ll probably end up but I’m always a die hard optimist and believe that if the kids go there and play like KIDS..we will win it.
Not much more than I can say that hasnt already been said…except that the CC doesnt really matter but in context of our season it does matter…a lot..coz we could be on a real high if we win here.
My final prediction: Arsenal 2 - Chelsea 1 (Extra time). Ade,Mozart to score n Lampard for the Blues.
26 Responses to “Carling Cup Final”
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February 24th, 2007 at 10:22 am
“Bionic” Terry has passed fit to play. It'll be men against boys. So be it. It's a win-win for Arsenal. Win or lose, I want Arsenal to play a high tempo game. If we lose, our run has been a valuable experience. The pressure's on Chelsea but I expect them to handle it like champions should.
February 24th, 2007 at 10:43 am
Yeah I was surprized to read about Terry’s recovery as well.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/6384683.stm
Either Chelsea are desperate to get him back or he really has recovered. I don’t think there is a third option which is similar to the mind games that Ferguson used to play when his ‘injured’ players showed up completely fit come game day.
I quite enjoy the prospect of the kids vs Chelsea’s money men match-up. If the kids win, I won’t stop laughing
Despite all the big names on Chelsea’s squad, they can’t do without Terry or Lampard. When was the last time Lampard didn’t line-up for Chelsea? Why do I bring that point up? Because Mourinho can’t leave Lampard out. 2 seasons ago, he proudly named Barca’s entire squad. Well his Chelsea line-up is predictable no matter which tournament is being played. On the other hand, Wenger has given the kids a chance in the Carling Cup.
Looking forward to the game. Mostly, because this is the first Carling Cup game I will get to see live this year..But I really hope this young squad can rise to the occassion and put in a great effort. Would be a great confidence boost..
February 24th, 2007 at 10:47 am
The day after John Terry dies, I fully expect to read that he will be suited up and ready to go for the following week's match.?
Hopefully, they are rushing him back and he's not fully fit.
February 24th, 2007 at 11:02 am
The match “should” be interesting and fun to watch…
We know we are playing mostly our young players, who have made a great run in this Cup… and they deservedly should be allowed to play.
We have sprinkled in KEY players during the run… and played some senior players who were trying to get back to fitness, or were needed to provide some stability.
I hope we DO start say…Gilberto… or Rosicky/Hleb… Cesc… or Gallas.
I would like to see a few of these players start. It will provide a calming influence. This is a BIG MATCH. The kids have played well, but they’ll be a bit out of their element. I don’t want to see them run out of the stadium with a big loss on their shoulders. If we can keep the game quiet early, and weather the storm… get over the early nerves… it might play out into a good match.
I do NOT think we should play a wide open game and all guns blazing. We are playing Chelsea. Their FIRST TEAM. With TERRY PLAYING. He is apparently healthy and will start. With our own “best” team out there, we have big problems containing Chelsea, so lets not play stupid football. We can knock the ball around a bit, but countering might not be a bad idea.
I don’t expect us to win. As its been stated before, in a way, just getting to the Final with the kids means, we’ve already WON. If they pull it off, and beat Chelsea in the Final, it will be fantastic. I look forward to the match, and with interest in who will start and play in the team.
I think we’re all pretty sure the EFFORT will be there from our young guns, and thats all most of us really ask. Effort, determination and passion.
February 24th, 2007 at 2:33 pm
Baptista is **AYE CARUMBA**(censored). I have been far less than impressed with him so far. Keep his ass off the field.
February 24th, 2007 at 2:34 pm
Oops - didn’t know you couldn’t write the “S” word. What I said was that Baptista is SH-T!
February 24th, 2007 at 3:00 pm
you can type shite, I think?!
Baptista has scored like 6 goals in the CC.
He SHOULD start here with Aliadiere.
Save Adebayor for the last 15 if we need him… and rest Ade if we don’t.
More big matches coming up… rotate the squad.
If Baptista can’t play in the CC, then he should be sent back to Madrid now… because there is no place else to play him.
He’s GOOD at times, and Crap at times.
It takes time to adapt to England, thats for sure.
Hleb wasn’t that good last year… yet this year he is much better.
We might have to send Baptista back anyway… cause Reyes is shooting his mouth off in Spain at their coach. He’s an idiot. I’d take Baptista every day of the week v Reyes, and it has nothing to do with talent.
February 24th, 2007 at 6:59 pm
Lay off Baptista. He is the leading scorer in the CC.
February 24th, 2007 at 7:44 pm
It all rests with Hleb, Rosicky, Baptista and Aliadiere. If all those turn up(and i mean literally with a couple of them!) it’s anyone’s game.
Wenger will most likely field a midfield of Diaby, Denilson, Gilberto, Rosicky/Hleb. If he has any sense he will keep Walcott well away from the action unless the situation is desperate and Chelsea’s full backs are gassed. Then, maybe then, will Walcott present some semblence of danger to Chelsea’s defence.
With Chelsea, it’s all about their deflections. If Lampard aims well in terms of what side of an Arsenal defender’s arse he should hit, Chelsea will probably prove to strong. Ditto for Drogba.
I forsee a game where Arsenal do all the running but will ultimately feel short-changed when Chelsea get a couple of cheapish goals which will see them win 2-1 or 3-0.
February 24th, 2007 at 9:55 pm
The only thing I have come to like about Baptista is that unlike Gilberto, he actually has good passing and a bit of vision. The main problem is he is a bit clumsy. Kind of like a central defender playing in attack. He leaves the ball behind on a great number of occasions, the ball sometimes gets lost in between his feet and frequency of such errors is something a team like Arsenal can’t afford.
February 24th, 2007 at 10:54 pm
yes, his first touch isn’t good…
but Adebayor’s first touch sux too…
February 25th, 2007 at 9:38 am
The same could have been said about Ade last year.? Well, it could probably still be said now, but he's grown and still growing.? I know Baps is 25, but how about just a little more patience.? Like Ade, he shows tons of heart, spark and a willingness to work.? I will take that every time and twice today.
February 25th, 2007 at 12:09 pm
As I had thought, Arsenal could not handle Chelsea’s graft.
But the kids did us proud.
The most frustrating part of the game was Drogba getting the better of Sendy yet again and Arsenal total inablity to deal with crosses - either offensive or defensive. Toure’s open miss summed it up. Atleast Toure can now get his rest.
February 25th, 2007 at 12:18 pm
well done lads, no complaints. Yes, we weren’t great a defending set pieces, as has been a known weakness all season long. Can’t blame the kids for that.
The kids outclassed a million pound Chelsea line-up and was unlucky to have Drogba’s off-side equaliser given. We just ran out of gas near the end of 2nd half and Chelsea’s quality finally shone through.
It was an ugly end to an otherwise entertaining final. Yet againt Arsenal will be branded at poor losers with Toure and Ade getting sent off. I don’t know who incited the fracas but Toure should never have responded, and Ade should never have joined. Now these two will be suspended and we NEED their services in up coming games.
February 25th, 2007 at 12:47 pm
Drogba owns Senderos.
Senderos can’t get by this… its embarrassing.
It cost us the match, again.
It was a very entertaining match. Our youngsters played with the Millionaires of Chelsea and gave all they could handle.
I thought for all the SLATING Traore got, before the match, he played very well… and so did Hoyte. Theo has been taking a lot of crap, he played well. We created some chances, and just like the Arsenal first team, we often PASSED instead of shooting at the goal. Same result. We didn’t convert more possession and far better chances, and paid for it at the end.
Another Drogba over Senderos finish… and we lose the Cup. Throw into that the red cards at the end, and we lose key players for more important matches.
WHEN would their supsensions begin? Do they cover CL or not?
I did not see what Adebayor did… or Toure… you would think with the 100 cameras and angles they have, they’d have been able to show it.
Oh well… a loss… but we still won in many ways.
WELL DONE to the Arsenal B team… they showed the passion and desire the A team often lacks. Fantastic Run… they deserved the CUP.
February 25th, 2007 at 1:01 pm
I don’t why Adebayor was sent off. He helped to break up the fight. Maybe said something to the ref.
February 25th, 2007 at 1:13 pm
The suspension will not apply to the CL. But they do apply to all domestic competitions including the FA Cup. Good that Gallas and Djourou are fit again.
February 25th, 2007 at 1:39 pm
Not sure what the hell happenned at the end but if Kolo was wound up, then it was not an ordinary incident. But Obi seems to be a live wire and seems to be always looking for a fight. Maybe he might fancy a move to Bolton next year?
Anyways, the youngest team in the Carling Cup final history (as per the announcer) did Arsenal proud. I am glad that Walcott finally got his goal and it was sweet…A bunch of kids were passing the ball around so confidently that they made Chelsea’s star studded midfield look pedestrian until an offside goal brought the game level.
Just hope Arsenal don’t get slapped on with extra suspensions like that ManU mess a few years back. I just want to know what happenned?
February 25th, 2007 at 1:48 pm
Yes. It was poor defending by Sendoros. Drogba attacked the cross from Robben and was already one step ahead of Sendoros. Frankly I don’t think any of the other central defenders could have done better as all of them are weaker in the air compared to Sendoros. Maybe a Tony Adams in his peak could have handled that. Sendoros better learn from this and be a much better player as cup finals don’t come often. Eboue is also partly guilty for the goal when he gave so much space to Robben to make that cross. Eboue had been guilty in past games of not closing down opponents - looks like he has not improved on this defensive aspect. I am surprised that Wenger replaced Traore with Eboue when it might have been better to leave Hoyte at right back and bring on Gallas at left back.
Lastly the stupidity award has to go to Toure and Adebayor. What is the point of getting into an argument with the opponent when u are one goal down with 3 minutes to find an equalizer?! And now they are both banned for 3 games at a time when we need all available resources. Can’t fathom the idiocity of it all.
February 25th, 2007 at 2:05 pm
Shame Arsenal lost because they played for very. Just paid for having that meathead Senderos at the back - both Drogba goals were his fault and he nearly gifted Shevchenko a third but he was unlucky to hit the bar.
The fight was purely a response to Arsenal’s frustration they played like lions (minus Senderos) but reacted to their impending defeat like children. Adebayor went berserk and deserved to get sent off, I’m sure he threw some punches.
Arsenal didn’t deserve to win because they didn’t do enough. They weren’t outclassed but Chelsea did score twice and hit the bar twice, so I think if anyone was unlucky it was more likely to be them than Arsenal.
Still, the result told us a few more things.
Almunia - had no chance with the goals (6)
Hoyte - pretty steady (6)
Toure - very good as usual, not sure why he got sent off, need to have another look (7)
Senderos - lost his Drogba battle hopelessly, Drogba’s good but Senderos makes him look like Maradona (4)
Traore - was worried about him but he played well (7)
Walcott - scored an excellent goal, looks more of a striker than a winger (7)
Denilson - the future (8)
Diaby - the future (8)
Fabregas - almost back to his best, lost the plot near the end though (7)
Baptista - had one great shot which was well saved, gets involved but not much of a threat (6)
Alidiere - need players who can make a real difference at this level, but he can’t - was largely anonymous (5)
subs:
Hleb - looked completely disinterested (5)
Adebayor - came on and got into a fight (3)
Eboue - spent his 20 minutes moaning about Robben’s diving - pot, kettle, black (5)
February 25th, 2007 at 2:26 pm
The first half was a great performance from Arsenal but the events of the second half take the gloss of events for me. Not because we lost the game- it was fairly obvious that would happen whenever Drogba got their scarcely deserved equaliser- but because we showed the same predictably sloppiness and lack of focus which afflicted our first team in Eindhoven and which also allowed Bolton back into the game in the F.A Cup. We just give goals away far too easily.
While our style is a delight to watch when everyone can be bothered to keep their concentration, it is this dropping of standards which continually costs us and we seem unable to play any sort of percentage game. We’re either really going for it and looking dangerous or we just fold like a deck of cards.
We didn’t deserve to win becauseat the business end of the game we lost our game and made wrong decision after wrong decision. It’s great trying to stick to our passing principles but the Denilson/Baptista misunderstanding which led to Chelsea’s second goal is indicative of the our inability to adapt our style to the circumstances of the game. At a time when we should have kept the ball and kept it simple we kept gifting Chelsea the ball with unnecessary risky passing combinations.
I must say I prefer Aliadiere to Baptista even though Baptista has got some good points. Baptista’s problem is that his touch just keeps letting him down and Aliadiere’s deficiency is his one-gear game. He moves at one pace and is incapable of upping it. His awareness of players around him though marks him out as an Arsenal player while Baptista- despite having many redeeming features that other Arsenal players don’t have- just doesn’t possess the technique to consistently hold the ball up.
Up-front is where this game went tits-up. Both forwards just couldn’t keep the ball and were out of sync with the midfield. The real plus for me was Abou Diaby. This guy has got to be first choice fromnow on however I hear his injury is quite bad. Denilson and Fabregas are great but maybe too similar. We need Diaby’s physical dynamism.
February 25th, 2007 at 4:09 pm
yeah, but aliadiere totally blew it in the first half after rounding carvalho then not passing to baptista or diaby who were both wide open for a shot. in the end he was caught in possesion and the move fizzled. so i’m not sure about his awareness, at least in that instance.
for me, the difference is that baptista gets involved in the game. jeremie was a largely peripheral figure. when baptista gets a decent run of games with the first team (or at least with a common 11) he will come good.
think ade when henry was out.
very disappointed in kolo’s reaction to the shirt pulling. at that point he needs to let it go and get on with it. he let the team down when we still had a few minutes.
not sure what happened to bridge after the fracas. but ade does look to have thrown his arms into the fray, and not necessarily to break things up.
in the end, we lost. but chelsea looked rather ordinary, and our kids carved them up a number of times. other than his shot off the bar, lampard did nothing. neither did ballack. and shevchenko still looks crap in that team. it was our play that held those players in check.
credit to drogba, though, even if his first goal was offside. on both of their goals, our fullbacks were sucked too far into the middle. this gave drogba space on the outside for his first goal, and robben time to size up the cross for the second. and please don’t accuse me of blaming hoyte or traore for the goals. this is merely an observation …
one other interesting note…
andy gray felt drogba was offside, but jaime redknapp and gary mcallister, in the studio, felt he was onside. this, to me, shows how uncertain everyone is concerning the ‘new’ offsides ruling. there really needs to be a black and white clarification on this rule. no two linsemen seem to call it consistently. if their feet are in line but the forward is leaning across that plane, is he offside? semi-rhetorical question. and it was the same linseman who flagged ade offside late in the game(clearly on), but gave drogba the benefit of the doubt for his first.
i just want consistency.
heads up, gooners. the future is looking very bright…
February 26th, 2007 at 4:49 am
It looks like the linesman thought it was him that ‘knocked out’ chelsea hardman and all round cant Wayne Bridge. It must have been so hard to tell the difference between one guy who is 6′3 and another who is 5′10 and with a completely different hairstyle.
February 26th, 2007 at 5:12 am
Losing Diaby made the difference. He caused them a lot of problems and I hope he only went off because his concentration was broken and not his foot in kicking Terry’s head. The future midfield of Denilson/Febregas/Diaby + AN Other certainly looks good.
The contribution of Aliadiere to our midfield performance should not be overlooked. He kept dropping off and linking up, fair enough he should have passed when he burst past Terry (looked so pedestrian just like everyone says Senderos is).
Frank Lampard is a big fat prize cant. He was a major factor in the melee, running across and getting involved and then when Fabregas pulled him away, starting on Fabregas. Bravo Cesc, you didn’t back down to any one of them and pretty much kept your cool.
Traore answered a few critics and can be proud of his performance.
Finally, a few people’s hate figure Philip Senderos: if you’re going to blame him for anything Drogba did, you should praise him for the number of blocks and clearances he put in and how well he played against Drogba in all but ‘3′ situations. I’ve only seen each of their goals 20 or 30 times and even in slow motion there is a debate about whether Drogba is offside for the first (Adebayor one yard further back was offside) - oo but it was Senderos’ leg so he is to blame, get real. Could Almunia not have done a little better? Goal 2, Denilson and Baptista contrive to give the ball away, the ball goes to Robben and Eboue just stands off him, allowing him to play a decent cross for Drogba to attack. I think someone else mentioned that perhaps only Adams at his peak would have been able to get his head on it, even then it took waht was a fantastic header by Drogba to score - oo but it was Senderos who was marking him, so it’s his fault. Senderos is not the prefect player for our style, but saome of the criticism he is getting is way beyond deserved.
February 26th, 2007 at 4:17 pm
I don’t think Senderos is a bad player at all…
but if you mess up “3″ situations a game, and the other team scores… you can’t play at this level.
You can’t play well, except for the crucial period.
You can sugar coat it all you want, but he simply can not play against Drogba. It is a physical, and now mental mismatch. There is no getting around it.
February 27th, 2007 at 5:08 am
those ‘3′ situations…
Goal 1 - Ballack under no pressure, so the defence shouldn’t be playing off side full stop. They should be taking a step back. It’s a goal where the team is at fault.
Goal 2 - Denilson loses the ball, Eboue put zero pressure on Robben and Drogba applies a great finish. Senderos could have been about 30cm closer, but I don’t believe he or any other defender would have prevented it.
Situation 3 - Drogba is played down the side of Senderos and accelerates away, but Senderos is coming back all the time and Drogba shoots from a crappy angle.
I don’t think that’s sugar coating it, I think that’s putting it in perspective.