Arsenal Youth Progress In Carling Cup

Carling Cup 3rd Round
Arsenal 2 – 0 West Bromwich Albion

1 – 0 Watt (68)
2 – 0 Vela (76)

The youngsters progressed through to Saturday’s draw, gaining more useful experience than was perhaps garnered from last season’s 6 – 0 drubbing of Sheffield United. Until the point of Jerome Thomas’ deserved dismissal, it was an even contest, Arsenal the better team in the opening phase, Albion coming to the fore towards the end of the first half.

In the end, Arsenal’s superior numbers proved too much for Albion although the visitors contributed massively to the second goal with a moment that will no doubt turn up on a Danny Baker DVD of comedy defending. Wenger will be pleased with the efforts of the squad, no-one appearing totally overawed by the occasion, particularly those debutants in the first team.

Senderos had the opportunity to prove himself as a contender for a first team spot and did little wrong last night. Equally, he did little prove his doubters wrong either. He will, I suspect, prove to be a useful squad member before moving on in the summer on a free transfer. He had a couple chances to head himself onto the scoresheet but was unable to convert either opportunity early on. The closest either side came to breaking the deadlock was Sanchez Watt’s effort that dribbled against the post.

Albion gradually got involved more and forced two good saves from Szczesny and, I think, it was Gilbert who made an important clearance. The turning point of the match was Thomas’ dismissal. He can have little argument about the decision of the referee, raising your hand to an opponent almost always brings about a red card. Wilshere is being criticised for his reaction to the initial contretemps but there is nothing written in the Laws of the Game that says the victim of foul play has to accept an apology nor an outstretched hand.

Wenger hinted that Thomas’ temprament was one of the reasons for his lack of progress at Arsenal and his judgement may not have been amiss in that respect. Whatever was said and I suspect it was a minor infraction, Thomas’ reaction was over the top. Di Matteo’s disappointment in the dismissal is no doubt compounded by the fact that his charges were giving a good account of themselves.

In the end, it was the introduction of Carlos Vela which proved inspirational for an attack that had at times lacked focus. The Mexican is apparently in contention for a place on the bench at Fulham this weekend and his telling cameo last night will have done his case no harm whatsoever. His shot was parried into the path of Watt for the deadlock to be broken and he took advantage of indecisive defending to round Kiely and walk the ball over the line following Randall’s exquisite chip to seal the win.

Of the youngsters, Ramsey set the bar highest to show his colleagues the standard expected to reach the first team for Premier and Champions League fixtures. Szczesny had a good game, providing some good saves and his pleasure enhanced by the clean sheet. Before the match, Wenger observed that he had perhaps overplayed Wilshere last season, raising expectations. Wilshere was industrious last night but on occasion ran into cul-de-sacs. Experience will perhaps cause some more patience in the desire to make things happen, Theo Walcott a template to follow.

Matches like this will go a long way to helping decide those who will and will not make it. None of the youngsters on show will have done themselves any harm last night. A good win, a useful experience gaining exercise even if had been a defeat. Whether such a youthful team would be able to progress against stronger opposition is open to conjecture. Saturday’s draw may well provide an opportunity to find that answer.

’til Tomorrow.