Carling Cup - Wenger points finger at Bendtner

Eurosport - Wed, 03 Dec 13:39:00 2008

Arsene Wenger cast doubt over the future of Arsenal's young forwards after criticising his off-form attackers as a series of missed chances enabled Burnley to claim a famous 2-0 League Cup win at Turf Moor.

2008-2009 Carling Cup Burnley-Arsenal Nicklas Bendtner - 0

Two goals from Scottish midfielder Kevin McDonald, who rejected moves to Liverpool and Celtic to join Burnley from Dundee in July, secured the Clarets' place in the semi-finals.

But a catalogue of poor finishes, most notably by Danish striker Nicklas Bendtner, led to Arsenal's quarter-final exit and manager Wenger admitted that too many of his forwards under-performed.

"We played quite well, but we had six one versus ones and lost 2-0, so that sums it up," he said.

"We just did not have the right focus in front of goal and that made the difference. We lost a game we should never have lost.

"We had plenty of chances but when you do not score, you have to ask why. You can praise their keeper but also question your own strikers.

"Many of my players were not fazed by the game, though, and that is a positive from the game.

"So many of them gave absolutely everything, but in front of goal, you have to be much more clinical than we were and I think we were a bit naive in taking our chances.

"Had we scored at any time, then the complexion of the whole tie would have been different, but it was always us chasing the game and them playing on the counter-attack. That's the easiest way to deal with the game."

Burnley proved too energetic and hungry for Arsenal and the Championship club deservedly added Arsenal's scalp to those of Chelsea and Fulham, who they defeated in previous rounds.

Manager Owen Coyle, whose team will learn their semi-final opponents in Saturday's draw, now insists that his team can go all the way to final.

He said: "We will enjoy the semi-finals. It doesn't matter who we get. We've got a great chance.

"There was a lot of talk of Arsenal and the young players they have, but we've shown that we have some good young players ourselves."

Danish goalkeeper Brian Jensen was a star performer for the home side and he has backed Coyle's team to progress beyond the last four.

Jensen said: "It was always going to be a massive task for us so full credit to the lads because we are there.

"All the cameras were here so they must have known there could be an upset. We are in the semi-finals now, so why can't we go on and win it? Let's see how far we can go."

Arsenal had the opportunity to strike first when Fran Merida's precise pass released Bendtner on five minutes, but Jensen set the tone for an impressive performance by saving well from his fellow Dane.

Less than a minute later, the home side were ahead after Arsenal's failure to clear a Chris Eagles cross left McDonald with a tap-in from six yards.

Despite their impressive first-half display, Burnley would have known that Arsenal would come back at them strongly after the break.

And Wenger's team almost equalised in stunning style on 49 minutes when Merida jinked past three Burnley defenders before sending a right-foot strike inches wide.

Burnley matched Arsenal's attacking intent with their own, however, and Coyle's team pushed forward in search of the second goal that would as good as seal the game.

It came on 57 minutes when Eagles's quick throw-in released McDonald in the Arsenal penalty area.

The former Dundee midfielder ghosted past Mark Randall before hitting his right-footed strike into the far corner.

AFP

Comment 13 - 32 of 72

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  1. its a pity that arsenal has to leave the stage now

    From Ibukun, on Wed 3 Dec 11:53AM

  2. Ha Ha Ha.......

    From Richard, on Wed 3 Dec 11:50AM

  3. May be not the time for wenger to go, but as­ "mail2wyx" said wenger should be thinking of­ spending a bit more in January

    From eric, on Wed 3 Dec 11:39AM

  4. If Bendtner was no good (he certainly played badly),­ why leave him on, especially for the whole game??

    From dave.crump, on Wed 3 Dec 11:37AM

  5. Totally agree with number 6. However very concerned by­ the IDIOT who says Arsene should be sacked. If it was­ not for Arsene giving Fabregas a run in the Carling cup­ aged 16, where would he be now!

    From BMC, on Wed 3 Dec 11:30AM

  6. Its not fine for arsenal because Bendtner missed the­ chances,he becomes the sacrifitial lamb for the only­ hope for the season .Wenger begin thinking of next­ seaso because even the FA, YOU WILL NOT MATCH IT!!!­ Premiership is a good gamble,and championshiop is a­ joke in a dream land.continue burrying your head with­ your board under the sun.but dont deceive the­ fans
    Gero-uganda Kampala

    From ghekinu, on Wed 3 Dec 11:29AM

  7. when will wenger realize that as far as improving young­ players is worthy to but, me an ardent arsenal fan want­ something to boast of.This would have been an­ interesting seoson only if we could have avoided some­ petty mistakes given that we3 actually bit the 2(man u­ and chelsea) of the big 4.I think at this time some­ player don't deserve 2 be @ ARSENAL.Pliz wenger­ save arsenal fans from humilation they are going­ thro".SPENT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE IN JANUARY.

    From Khisa, on Wed 3 Dec 11:27AM

  8. Arsene Wenger! Time go now you got nothing cup 3 year­ you thinking time go now.

    From robert.parker96, on Wed 3 Dec 11:21AM

  9. This week the gamble of youth didn't pay off. There­ weren't too many moans when we beat Wigan and­ Sheffield? I'm for one not too worried about this­ defeat. The kids get more experience and the first team­ get a rest. Up the Arsenal and congrats to Burnley,­ hope to see you in the final.

    From James, on Wed 3 Dec 11:17AM

  10. Well done Clarests!! Lets have United or Tottenham­ next, keep the momentum going. Forget playing Derby or­ Watford (if they somehow beat Tottenham) we're a­ better side than both of them anyway. A­ "footballing" side will always triumph at­ Wembley.

    From Adam W, on Wed 3 Dec 11:16AM

  11. Wenger seems to have lost touch with modern-day­ football and bereft of new ideas.
    He doesnt listen to­ people'opinions and has turned himself to an­ institution in Arsenal, a situation the directors find­ difficult to address. Brentner and Adebayor should­ leave while good and exprienced strikers are brought in­ as well as good defenders and goal keeper.

    From adelabuksa, on Wed 3 Dec 11:15AM

  12. WHERE DOES HE SAYS BEDTNER I POINT A FINGER AT­ YOU??????? YOUR ARTICLES ARE NOTHING BUT BIAS I BET YOU­ HATE ARSENAL.ARTICLES LIKE THIS ARE POOR JOURNALISM PUT­ SOMETHNG WORTHY A READING,PROFESSIONAL AND FAIR YOU­ DON'T HAVE TO MISLEAD USTO READ YOUR ARTICLES.

    From Sihle, on Wed 3 Dec 11:15AM

  13. so what if arsenal lost last nite its not the end of­ the world alot of other fans seem too worry alot about­ what arsenal do when it be bet advice too look at there­ own team first be4 they cast any judgement on arsenal­ fc ok

    From ed, on Wed 3 Dec 11:07AM

  14. Wenger you lost because you have too many foreign­ players.
    Come on BURNLEY

    From Carol F, on Wed 3 Dec 11:06AM

  15. Well done to Burnley! I think Wenger should have­ looked Burnley up before the match and realised that­ Burnley are at the moment in WHITE HOT FORM and­ adjusted the squad accordingly.

    From Jason T, on Wed 3 Dec 10:58AM

  16. I want arsene wenger to answer this question,how old is­ sylverster? and why did he allow Gilberto to leave­ since he could buy a rejected player like sylverster­ from Man-U

    From mac, on Wed 3 Dec 10:57AM

  17. Look big boys! Don't mess with the Clarets kids !!

    From Graham, on Wed 3 Dec 10:55AM

  18. arsene wenger should know that Barclays Premier league­ is not FIFA U-17 world youth Championship, he should­ change his stupid idea of using inexperience youths in­ playing any league cup competition, he should ask­ himself what he is doing as a manager without a trophy­ for three years.

    From mac, on Wed 3 Dec 10:54AM

  19. Kudos to Wenger for treating the Carling Cup as a youth­ training session (plus Silvestre), for one thing it­ allows him to judge which players might be suitable to­ develop in the future. As Bendtner looks less­ threatening in front of goal than a flat pack wardrobe,­ I suggest not him....

    From Paul G, on Wed 3 Dec 10:54AM

  20. ARSENE WENGER SHOULD BE SACKED HE HAS RUN OUT OF IDEAS

    From mac, on Wed 3 Dec 10:51AM
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