Arsenal vs Sheffield United Carling Cup

highburyJD · Post by **highburyJD** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 12:06 pm

ArsÃ¨ne Wenger has announced his 16-man squad for tonight's Carling Cup fourth-round tie with Sheffield United:

2. Abou DIABY (Age 21)
8. Lassana DIARRA (Age 22)
9. EDUARDO (Age 24)
15. DENILSON (Age 19)
17. Alex SONG (Age 20)
19. GILBERTO (Age 31)
21. Lukasz FABIANSKI (GK) (Age 22)
26. Nicklas BENDTNER (Age 19)
31. Justin HOYTE (Age 22)
32. Theo WALCOTT (Age 18)
34. Kieran GIBBS (Age 18)
39. Henri LANSBURY (Age 16)
40. Vito MANNONE (GK) (Age 19)
41. Gavin HOYTE (Age 17)
42. Fran MERIDA (Age 17)
43. Nacer BARAZITE (Age 17)

Average age of squad: 20.1

Magic Hat · Post by **Magic Hat** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 7:48 am

I can't decide if Gibbs is pawner of Inter or best emergency leftback since Flamini

Great pass for the second goal

good performance from most of them, Lukasz seemed erratic in dealing with crosses but at least he kept coming from them, Diaby only looked good when he moved in from the right while Walcott only turned up in flashes but was well dealt with Armstrong who was excellent. Gilberto, professional as always, was brilliant at protecting our makeshift backline

Wayno · Post by **Wayno** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 8:40 am

I thought it was a solid performance all round. Great to see the purple one get amongst the goals. I was very surprised at just how little the Blades bought to the game tonight.

highburyJD · Post by **highburyJD** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 10:37 am

weird how little has been said about diarra
he was again my MOTM
I'd play him right mid v Manure ahead of ebuoe on current form

EdgeOfTown · Post by **EdgeOfTown** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 10:46 am

might not have been mentioned JD, but not forgotten. He was outstanding again last night and would get in above Eboue in any position if it was up to me. MoM was between Edu, Theo and Diarra for me.

Bergkamp95 · Post by **Bergkamp95** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 11:43 am

A good performence from the boys.two very good goals from Eduardo and a very good goal from Denilson.I thought Bendtner had a great game last nite too.but above all o was pleased with the result.

RaM · Post by **RaM** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 12:00 pm

Just a quick question from the Sydney side of me...How did Dave Carney play? Any good? Sounds as if the whole Sheffield side was poor...

And yes, I would definitely have Diarra ahead of Eboue!

highburyJD · Post by **highburyJD** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 12:06 pm

he was their best player actually
only one who could pass the ball

Goonanana · Post by **Goonanana** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 12:22 pm

He was def their best player by a long long way, So many shone for us, MOTM in my opinion between Bendtner, Diarra and Dudu although Bert could be ni with a shout

I don't know how Wenger though Fabianski was great tonight, he looked so nervous I fully expected to see a wet patch in the goal mouth! Fair bit of flapping but at elast he made the effort to come out and collect things thrown into the box

Theo was his usual self, sometimes got voer excited and lost the ball to an average defender, sometimes skinned 3-4 only to find he'd worked himself into a corner with no support. I think what he did best thoguh was to keep the right full back out of the centre and occassionally drag the CB out too, that left loads of space for Bendtner with loads of space in the middle, especially outside the box, shame Theo couldnt finish after he did well to get round the keeper, shades of nerves and lack of confidence creeping back in, he did ride a couple of challenges that would ahve taken him down few months aho though - lol sorry got bitcarried away on Theo analysys!

Overall after a very dodgy start with a makeshift back four we completely bossed the game, not sure how much of that was down to us or Sheffield not turning up.

We def missed Traore at left back though, rate him extremely highly, would like to see Gibbs get chance at left wing nistead of out of position because Diaby is simply not a wniger! loses it too often out there

exiled in notts · Post by **exiled in notts** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 12:30 pm

Thought it was decent performance from the kids overall. Like Wayno said, it was good to see His Purpleness get a couple.

Good atmosphere in our end with the travelling Gooners in fine voice. Difficult to tell, but I hardly heard a peep out of the Blades who'd actually bothered to turn up. How did it sound on TV?

highburyJD · Post by **highburyJD** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 12:31 pm

I agree I'm still less sure about the (slightly imo) over-hyped Diaby as opposed to the under-r8d Song

EdgeOfTown · Post by **EdgeOfTown** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 12:32 pm

yeah it was funny not to see Traore in..As much as I was glad to see Gibbs get a run-out it would have been better for the balance to have him left wing and Armand left (wing) back..Any news on an injury?

donaldo · Post by **donaldo** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 12:39 pm

Diarra my MoM, he"s like a little bull. Still think Bendtner needs to improve his first touch,Eduardo certainley showed his class with his two goals.And once again we scored from outside the box,what a difference from last season.

Wayno · Post by **Wayno** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 12:40 pm

Wasn't Traore playing some French international match?

All_Arsenal_1886 · Post by **All_Arsenal_1886** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 12:50 pm

Wayno wrote:Wasn't Traore playing some French international match?

Yes he is currently playing in the u-19's french championship