Carling Cup - Young Gunners crush Wigan

Eurosport - Wed, 12 Nov 11:10:00 2008

Arsenal's youngsters impressed once again as they outclassed Wigan Athletic 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium to reach the Carling Cup quarter-finals.

2008-2009 Arsenal Carlos Vela Jay Simpson - 0

Jay Simpson marked his first Arsenal start with a goal either side of the break before Carlos Vela sealed the victory with a delightful lob.

Arsene Wenger made just one change from the Arsenal side which destroyed Sheffield United 6-0 in the third round with Simpson replacing Nicklas Bendtner and it was the 19-year-old local lad who broke the deadlock three minutes before the break.

16-year-old Jack Wilshere, one of eight teenagers in the home starting line-up, threaded a superb left-footed pass through to Simpson who got to the ball ahead of Mario Melchiot and poked the opening goal beyond Chris Kirkland.

Simpson had earlier struck the crossbar while the Latics were thankful to Kirkland who made four excellent saves inside the opening 25 minutes.

He got a vital touch on the ball when Vela tried to round him before saving with his left hand to deny Kieran Gibbs following a surging run from the left-back.

The former Liverpool keeper also had to scramble full length to his left to claw out Aaron Ramsey's curling free-kick and, despite seemingly struggling with a back injury, dived full length to his right to push away Vela's 25 yard curler that was destined for the top corner.

Lukasz Fabianski was forced into one save from Daniel De Ridder but apart from some hesitancy dealing with crosses and long throws, he was otherwise untroubled.

Wigan, who apart from the injured Emile Heskey had a first choice side on view, thought they should have been awarded a penalty early in the second-half when the ball clearly struck the raised hand of Johan Djourou as he challenged Titus Bramble.

Kirkland had to be alert again to stop Fran Merida's swerving 25 yard shot before Gibbs stung his palms once more but he had no chance as Simpson added a second after 66 minutes.

It was a classic counter attack goal from the Gunners as Maynor Figueroa's cross was punched away by Fabianski and then curled into the path of Vela on the left wing who nipped the ball away from Emmerson Boyce before squaring to Simpson who slammed home his second.

And four minutes later Djourou threaded a ball through to Vela and the man who scored a hat-trick against the Blades escaped the attentions of Boyce before dispatching a delightful lob over Kirkland.

Wigan's night was summed up in the final minute when their best player De Ridder had his shot palmed away by Fabianski who then turned the follow-up from Amr Zaki on to the crossbar.

Lee Walker / Eurosport

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  1. asernal is no 1 where are chelsea they talk alot but end of da they loose yet they have pleyed first team

    From lukubacelestine, on Thu 13 Nov 8:23AM

  2. asernal is no 1 where are chelsea they talk alot but end of da they loose yet they have pleyed first team

    From lukubacelestine, on Thu 13 Nov 8:22AM

  3. @#$%

    From shaun938@..., on Wed 12 Nov 5:57PM

  4. arsenal is a great team and iam a arsenal fan from last 5 years. iihave seen alots of tactics in arsenal thats why love this team. more over iam afrance fan. like arsene wenger very much.if arsenal hve some more strong miidfield they will be able to flopp down utd and liverpool n future. come on you guuners

    From ahamedtariqalam, on Wed 12 Nov 5:40PM

  5. UTD fan here - Went to watch the game with my arsenal bf and mates last night, I sat there with a frown on my face besides when I stood up cos I hate Tottenham but I tell you what, it pains me to say this... you're youth side were brilliant last night. Well done. Looks like Wenger is taking the "can't win anything with kids" approach now...

    From Stina, on Wed 12 Nov 4:54PM

  6. iam from Zimbabwe Arsenal is great, Arsen ia a master and lets support our lads, we still have a chance to shine even more, with good football and silverware

    From Silent K, on Wed 12 Nov 4:35PM

  7. sgerganov

    From JamesS, on Wed 12 Nov 3:53PM

  8. it will be perfect to see the january transfer arsenal making a bid for ETO.what a perfect triker for a best club,am a man u fun but seeing eto playing at arsenal will make trouble in all premier league.he will create more game than ever before.

    From adu bary, on Wed 12 Nov 3:50PM

  9. wot a win boyz

    From matthewfagg, on Wed 12 Nov 2:22PM

  10. When u look at some of these comments you see the majority of them fully appreciate good football when it is played, even other supporters. True football supporters will be lloyal to their own clubs but always will applaud good football which is what ARSENALS first team and our,sounds wrong to call them this, second team play this most weeks.As an Arsenal fan i will look at other teams performance and if needed will aplaud it but i can say hand on heart no other prem team play the way we do.Full grounds home and away show that we are the team they love to watch.Arsen is not a disgrace to football,he is a master at observing up and coming talent no matter what country and he will never use MONEY to buy all these players that some clubs have done.RESPECT TO THE MAN. TOMMO.

    From dt1301@..., on Wed 12 Nov 1:58PM

  11. this has to be the most exciting young team anywhere.The prospect for us GUNNERS is bright.Arsna is a professor of football. Some of these youngsters can start looking at having the odd prem ganme. Look forward to it,TOMMO

    From dt1301@..., on Wed 12 Nov 1:48PM

  12. I trust in wenger, but he doesnt always get it right...ahem aliadiere...bendtner is good but so far i would say he hasnt taken the oppertunity he has been given. not much spark about the guy. if we have Ade, and da silva, bendtner is good back up..but thats what i mean...he is back up. Cant see him ever being a prolific goal scorer. If youre given the chance at this level you have to take it. Surprising stat though from Matt. Doesnt seem like it. heh heh. As for our youngsters, ROCK ON!!! But we gotta keep these guys together, seemingly nowadays you cant get loyalty with so much money kicking around.

    From Tom, on Wed 12 Nov 12:25PM

  13. i love arsenal till death and i want you all to know that arsenal is the greatest ever...........up gunners till i die!!!!!!!!!!!1keep it up wilshere for fabregas/ djorou for gallas simpson for adebayor merida for V.P

    From ladysmart_001, on Wed 12 Nov 12:16PM

  14. yeah bendtner is awesome but needs more practise!

    in arsen we trust

    From Araw, on Wed 12 Nov 11:34AM

  15. "get rid of bendtner and replace him with Vela"

    are you all nuts, let me put it simply "in Arsene we trust"

    Bendtner is phsically able to handle regular starts he does nt get brushed off the ball is excellent in the air but is currently struggling to get it going. Get off his back and support this lad or are most of you Johnie come lately forgetting that 2 years ago everyone wanted to "give that Danish lad a chance, Sell Henry" In my opinion Vela will be a better player than Bendter in maybe 2-3 years just not yet.In the mean time how about supporting the "Danish Lad"

    his record by the way is 5 goals in 10 starts plus 6 sub apperances

    From Matt, on Wed 12 Nov 11:02AM

  16. THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT. THE FUTURE IS ARSENAL.

    From stephen, on Wed 12 Nov 10:42AM

  17. balkinsnet,what are you talking about.....26 players in the squad and 4 of them are english.arsene is only worried about bringing young french players on. how is he helping english kids?

    From martinol6, on Wed 12 Nov 10:31AM

  18. martinol6, who do you support mate? at least he's bringing through a wealth of english talent. What is more concerning is would the 1st team beat wigan like that?

    From balkinsnet, on Wed 12 Nov 10:15AM

  19. Rubbish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    From rewandjew, on Wed 12 Nov 10:09AM

  20. the young gunners are just too fantastic to watch, they showed class & commitment, i surgest the first team players should emulate them.

    From samchijiokeobi, on Wed 12 Nov 9:49AM
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