Fran the Man

Doesn’t a head butt on Ljungberg count for anything? It’s bad enough that Silvestre plays for the Arsenal given the fact that he’s a <insert vile swear word insinuating oddities about his sexuality here> but to give him the captain’s armband? That simply is stretching it.

Monsieur Wenger, you know I have been a vociferous fan and that I’ve never EVER spoken ill of you. Not even when we lost to the Spuds 5-1 did I tolerate anyone belittling you in front of me. Why couldn’t you have made Eduardo captain? Or Nasri? Or Senderos? I’d rather even have had Craig Eastmond as skipper. I must confess myself disappointed in you Sir.

On the other hand, I wasn’t feeling let down for Ten Sports for once. My Carling Cup experiences of late have been limited to piss poor online streams. So it was quite a pleasant change to be able to settle down in my bean bag with a pear in my hand and not have to speculate which sector of the blurry screen the ball was actually in. I wasn’t let down by Liverpool who played a lively game and were ballsy enough to take the game to the Arsenal and make a match of it. Yes, you could argue that there being no tie replay, with extra time and penalties being the order of the day, they didn’t have any motivation to play for a draw and an Anfield replay, still. I (and more importantly the team) wasn’t let down by the Emirates faithful, 60,004 of whom were there in full force. Is it just me or does anyone else think we’re finally feeling at home at the Grove? Last but not the least, I (and the 60,004, equally importantly) wasn’t let down by the Arsenal.

For probably the first time in the history of the world, the Arsenal Carling Cup team had a higher average age than our opponents. Sharp mathematicians will point out that, this phenomenon was probably because of 700 year old Silvestre. However we were in no way lacking experience. Eduardo, Bendtner, Nasri, Senderos, Gibbs and Ramsey have all had Champions League experience with the first three in particular all in Wenger’s grand scheme of first team football. Similarly, Liverpool too had brought a strong line up. Skrtel, Kuyt and Babel were there with Aquilani and Benayoun on the bench (please note the deliberate non-mention of Voronin).

Our youngsters however were too good for Liverpool as it turned out and the game was settled with 3 sublime left footed finishes. Credit for our first goal goes to two people. It was an incredible finish that followed a brilliant assist. Andrei Voronin found Fran Merida with a pin point accurate pass and the young Spaniard rifled home a vicious swerving shot which was going in from the time he hit it. Perhaps knowing what was on the cards our REAL captain was already on his feet even before the ball was duly dispatched. Liverpool of course have the habit of equalizing almost immediately and barely 6 minutes later Insua let fly a dipper which Fabianski should have had covered (if he was 8 feet tall of course). Honestly, I know the goalkeeping situation at the club is not ideal, but some people can be truly ridiculous. The goal was a wunderstrike. Respect and credit duly given. Bendtner’s goal was a mirror image carbon copy of Torres’ goal against United. He showed great strength in holding off Skrtel and thumped one in with his wrong foot (not his right foot that is). Not that I’m saying he’s anywhere close to being as good as Torres. I’m just saying Skrtel is nowhere as good as Rio. 2-1 and it stayed that way.

Young Gilbert playing at right back showed the world how to defend Babel. It’s basically a three step process.

1. Attempt to tackle him cleanly before he gets inside the box which is pretty easy because he’s  moving so fast that half the time he hasn’t a clue where the ball is.

2. If that fails, leave him alone and let Fabianski take the ensuing goal kick.

3. If he is 3 yards from the goal mouth and Kuyt fizzles in a low dangerous cross, let him be.

Running behind him with posterior to posterior whist you are attempting the salsa simply does not work as he is skilled enough to fall down and let Steven Gerrard take the penalty. Don’t believe me? Ask King Kolo Toure.

Apart from his assist Voronin too had a pretty busy night. Degen and he had what the commentator called a 5-6 (3 x 1-2s). What the right back didn’t realize was that Voronin did not want the ball and kept giving it back to him. Fabianski took the ensuing goal kick. He also attempted to emulate his famous compatriot’s finest moment in the EPL when he aimed a shot on goal at the side lines looking for a throw in. Sadly that didn’t materialize and Fabianski took the ensuing goal kick.

Aquilani claims Liverpool should have had a penalty. Codswallop. And that’s all I have to say about that.

I guess it’s a good thing that the F.A cup 5th round is played only in January. Imagine being out of all competitions before the New Year. Though I did hear Liverpool has come under severe F.A scrutiny and rumor is that they may be asked to play from the 1st round itself next year. To give Aquilani more match practice and ensure Voronin does not feel left out.

For a toy cup competition, it sure is shaping out to be pretty interesting. The 8 teams left in the competition are all premier league sides. I’m hoping for either Citeh or Tottenham at the grove in the quarters. Should be an interesting draw.

Scum next. WILL be an interesting weekend. Preview later.