Carling Cup 4th Round
Sheffield United 0 – 3 Arsenal

0 – 1 Eduardo (8)
0 – 2 Eduardo (50)
0 – 3 Denilson (69)

In the end, a comfortable night in Yorkshire for a totally changed team. The early goal from Eduardo undoubtedly settled the Arsenal team after a physical if unchallenging opening spell by the hosts – lots of effort by them but little threat. Sharp had a half chance before the Croatian opened the scoring with a cracking shot that beat Bennett for pace and power. The difference between the two sides was more than highlighted in that goal; a throw on the Arsenal right went to Song and from thereon eight passes between the defence and midfield went unchallenged before reaching Bendtner who turned ran and put the ninth to Eduardo in acres of space before he put the ball in the net. After that effort, it would have been rude not to.

The second from the same player was simpler; Gibbs slotted a pass through a huge gap for Eduardo to run onto and calmly slot past Bennett, Chris Morgan’s unnecessary shove got its own reward twenty minutes later when Denilson’s shot deflected off his backside over Bennett. The goal would have sent shudders through the Blades coaching staff. A wayward pass to Denilson sent the ball behind him. Thirty yards from goal, he was able to retrieve, turn and run ten yards unchallenged before shooting. To not close him down was a cardinal sin of football that also highlighted that basically, his team had given up the ghost as far as this match was concerned. Walcott hit the post having rounded Bennett when I suppose if you wanted to be churlish and criticise, you could have said he had time to bring the ball under control but does it matter for last night?

In many respects, not least for their supporters, the performance by Sheffield United was very disappointing. From an Arsenal point of view, I would have liked them to test the younger players more, put Song under pressure at centre half to experience pressure. That said, I guess that Arsene won’t be complaining as by and large everyone came through unscathed. Eduardo’s knock does not appear to have stopped him jogging around after the game so hopefully is not too serious as a couple of goals might have put him in contention for Saturday although I am not holding my breath on that one; I suspect Arsene will go for the same team that drew at Anfield in the continued absence of van Persie.

The value of the Carling Cup is clear for Arsene; it is a testing ground for players, a way to gain experience yet the value of the competition for others is open to question. There is nothing new in Championship sides fielding inexperienced players – Tony Mowbray did the same at West Brom last season – but with an exit in a manner such as tonight, what has Bryan Robson learnt about his charges that he could not have gained from the training ground? He may feel that there is value to be gained by resting his normal choice, perhaps even thinking that were they to lose against effectively Arsenal’s second XI, his players may suffer a further loss in confidence.

However, this begs two questions. Firstly, why spurn the chance to turn over a big club? These opportunities are few and far between as it is, the vagaries of cup draws their only chance this season, and probably next. The second is perhaps more crucial for him to answer, namely does he lack such confidence in his own team to beat Arsenal that he rests them? That being the case, is there much point in them trying to get promoted if he fears for them against tougher opposition?

The situation with regard to Gilberto becomes more complex. Much will no doubt be read into Arsene’s decision to give Fabianski the captain’s armband. From a personal viewpoint, I do not agree with the decision to make a goalkeeper captain, the distance that they spend from the play makes getting advice across to others difficult. In this situation though, it is curious because Fabianski is one of the least experienced players who took the field.

It is easy to see how such actions by the manager send out a signal to the media that there is an opportunity for them to speculate freely on the Brazilian’s future. In the back of my mind, I have the notion – rightly or wrongly – that when Gallas was appointed captain, some utterances were made that the vice-captaincy was to be split between Kolo Toure and Gilberto. If that recollection is true, that clearly is no longer the case. Whether it is a sign of friction is unclear and possibly will not ever be known so given the reluctance of the manager to wash his dirty laundry in public.

Arsene did comment afterwards that ‘they had agreed he would not take part in that role at all this season’ so Gilberto was obviously disappointed in the decision to give Gallas the captaincy but it is a credit to him that so far, the complaining, if there has been any, has been done ‘in-house’.

So through to the Quarter Finals and for the first time in years, a strong draw it is with Chelsea, Liverpool, Everton, West Ham, Tottenham, Manchester City and Blackburn through; a good testing ground for the youngsters, and a smattering of old heads, awaits. Assuming the match goes ahead in December, I would like Arsene to change tack slightly. We will have qualified for the second round of the Champions League by then so why not blood some youngsters in that competition as well?

Finally, one in the eye for Platini. Shockingly there is speculation that Arsenal are chasing Real Madrid’s Pablo Sarabia. The Daily Mail  reports that the fifteen year old is weighing up an Arsenal offer. Who would have thought that such speculation would come so soon after Platini criticised Arsene? A wonderfully shocking World we live in.

’til Tomorrow.