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Carling Cup - Arsenal v Liverpool
Talking points and report from the big Emirates cup clash
AS I turned into Hornsey Road on Wednesday night, heading towards what I hoped would be an absorbing Carling Cup clash between Arsenal and Liverpool, two questions were bamboozling me.
Firstly, why did the man walking in front of me have 'Clichy 22' on the back of his Gunners shirt?
I'm not saying that fans should all be glory hunters who only bid for glamourous players like Andrey Arshavin, but what is it that possessed him to get a left-back?
While we're on the subject, I also have my concerns about grown men who still insist on getting there own surnames on the back of their shirts. The dream is over; you didn't make it - move on. Anyway that's an issue for another day.
The second question is just as thought provoking.
What is it that still makes supporters want to rush off from work to catch a Carling Cup game?
The old League Cup has taken a pounding in resent years and - as everyone knows - has been a detriment to top sides' progress in the lucrative Premier League. The bigger clubs are, of course, more focused on Premiership and European glory, while the so-called smaller clubs don't really want the risk picking up injuries to their already slender squads as they battle to avoid the rigours of relegation.
Yet on Wednesday, more than 60,000 fans made their way to the Emirates Stadium to watch Arsenal take on Liverpool.
I know it wasn't just the glamour of the fixture, because more than 55,000 supporters turned out in the previous round to see the Gunners beat Championship side West Brom.
I don't want to be a cynic and blindly suggest that's it's because tickets are often sold on the cheap - although I'm sure this helps.
So perhaps it's because fans get the chance to see potential stars of tomorrow, like Kerrea Gilbert, Kieran Gibbs and Craig Eastmond.
Or Fran Merida, who opened the scoring against Liverpool with a thunderbolt that would light up any game.
Then again, that can't be the reason. Not many clubs are blessed with a manager like Arsene Wenger, who believes in developing and blooding youth players at every opportunity.
In fact, few clubs are lucky enough to have someone who can put a development programme in place that produces young players capable of holding their own in a competitive game.
So maybe the answer is simple; we're still a nation of football lovers. Despite the credit crunch, the ever-lasting recession and the fast-approaching winter, we need that escapism. And we need that 90 minute get away where we can surrender ourselves to the plights and passions of the pitch.
STEVE BARNETT
Spanish youngster Fran Merida notched up his first senior goal with the opener in Arsenal's Carling Cup win over rivals Liverpool |
Young Spanish bull stars for young guns
Merida notches up first senior goal with cracking, opening strike
CARLING CUP 4TH ROUND.
ARSENAL 2 LIVERPOOL 1
FRAN Merida scored his first senior goal for Arsenal last night at home to rivals Liverpool, and declared that he would relish signing a new contract with the North London giants.
Reports in the press suggest the 19 year old Spaniard is keen on staying on at the Emirates.
"At the moment I am talking to the club so I don't know what will happen,"
Merida announced his potential quality, and opened the scoring on 19 minutes with a vicious, swerving shot that bamboozled Liverpool keeper Diego Cavalieri.
In an even contest, Liverpool replied seven minutes later with a spectacular effort of their own, when Argentina defender Emiliano Insua looped a thunderous volley over the head of Lukas Fabianski, to level the scores at 1-1.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger rang the changes for the match, drafting in Fabianski and Merida, along with fellow youngsters Kerrea Gilbert and Craig Eastmond.
But, it was a more experienced hand that was involved in everything that Arsenal did.
The giant Dane, Nicolas Bentdner used his imposing frame to shield the hall, and lay off for his team mates, who surged forward with their customary speed and precision.
It came as no surprise that Bendtner restored Arsenal's lead five minutes into the second half, when he fired home from close range after a clever through pass from Merida.
At the other end, Liverpool's new signing Alberto Aquillani thought he'd won his side a late penalty, that would have taken the game into extra time, but referee Alan Wiley deemed that Philippe Sendaros had not handballed the Italian's goalbound scissor kick.
The game told us more about the squad quality of Arsenal, rather than that of Liverpool. Gunners' fans, anxious for the final whistle, needn't have worried that their side would have conceded late on, as they had done against Alkmaar in the Champions league; with a Liverpool forward line of Ngog, Babel and Voronin, Arsenal were always going to hold on for a place in the quarter finals.
Manager Wenger was delighted with the result, and praised the quality of play from both sides. "The passing was very good, the ball was played at high pace. We gave people what they paid for", said the Frenchman.
In the week, Wenger had talked about his confidence in the Arsenal squad, and that they would taste silverware this season. Although the Champons League and League title are what everyone wants at the club, a Carling Cup triumph could just be the catalyst for glory on a far grander scale. |
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