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. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    yes,arsenals young kids are damn good. this has been­ the same for 3years. they are going to win nothing. 5­ english kids out of 22 players. Arsene is a disgrace to­ the english game

    From martinol6, on Wed 12 Nov 9:48AM

  2. In fact arsenal is the best team in Europe.With these­ youngsters , we can go places

    From , on Wed 12 Nov 9:40AM

  3. I am from Bulgaria and i have supported Arsenal since­ the time of David Seaman. Haven't missed a game for­ the last three or four years yet regret to say only on­ tv. I want to congratulate all true supporters of­ Arsenal and even more the ones that went to the­ Emirates to supprt them (as far as i understood from­ the live streaming around 60 000 LOL). Vela was a class­ of his own I would definately like too see him play­ more than the last few minutes as a sub in the league.­ I have a question for you guys - how is it to be at the­ emirates for a game - with this attendance and a team­ like Arsenal I figure out everytime its an unforgetable­ experience. Is it hard to get a ticket if u dont have­ season long ones. Thanks in advance. GOONER 4 LIFE

    From sgerganov, on Wed 12 Nov 9:25AM

  4. Arsene Wenger is a truly wonderful manager he has­ dignity displaying it both on and off the field.Even in­ defeat he always faces the the press after the­ game,unlike the whinging Ferguson who sends his deputy­ to give the reasons why they should have won.Arsenal­ have now proved beyond doubt that they have a great­ first team (and the "reserves " arent bad­ either )gooners must now unite behind their team and­ support this extraordinary manager in their quest for­ silverware,this season might just be the right time for­ bearing that fruit.

    From r_martin1, on Wed 12 Nov 9:22AM

  5. Now i hate arsenal but even i have to admit that was a­ absolutly breathtaking performance, how a bunch of­ inexpirenced youngsters managed to takeapart a full­ strength premiership squad, simply amazing football

    From Jake, on Wed 12 Nov 9:19AM

  6. Arsenal is Mysterious

    From eebee, on Wed 12 Nov 8:51AM

  7. Great credit goes to Arsene for this result as a Wigan­ fan i am obviously gutted about the result but to see a­ group of youngsters outclass regular prem players was­ awesome. Some young english players to future is­ bright!! But remember some of these players are from­ other clubs so dont give arsene all the credit £4.8 mil­ for ramsay(cardiff city) paying that much they gonna be­ good. our record signing is heskey at £5.5 mil!!!

    From 1982, on Wed 12 Nov 8:48AM

  8. Arsenal

    From marinnike, on Wed 12 Nov 8:37AM

  9. PADA AZIZIE TEAM KAU TAKKAN MENANG APA2 PUN PIALA TAHUN­ INI HA...HA...HA!PADA KEREL BERDOALAH SUPAYA NEWCASTLE­ KEKAL DALAM LIGA!

    From ynwa2921, on Wed 12 Nov 8:29AM
  10. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Did Wigan not field their second team too?

    From Michael, on Wed 12 Nov 8:12AM
  11. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    and next time put out your girls squad and the­ scoreline might be even greater!!

    From jingleballicks, on Wed 12 Nov 7:47AM

  12. THOUGH I AM BLUES FAN: i will say that i am highly­ delighted at the youngsters display. i Arsene is really­ something else in youth football kudos to his effort­ and heroic.

    From Sunny, on Wed 12 Nov 7:39AM

  13. I have supported the Gunners for 45 years ,did,nt miss­ a game in '71 ,and I've never seen football­ like Wenger produces.He's a Genius.When they are­ good its an art form .Just one note of caution.........­ George Graham spent even less money and won six majors­ in eight years to Wengers six in twelve.Its time for­ the Style Lord to strike some Silver and put us in­ Heaven.
    Docker

    From paul.d.dawson, on Wed 12 Nov 7:36AM

  14. Arsene Venger Just replace Bendtner by vella or Simpson­ they are by far better, those two are amazing. i­ watched every match Bendtner played and every time i­ wondered what do u see in him. Vella is the right­ choice he deserve his chance and im sure he will shine­ the guy is amazing he can drible, pass, have a very­ good path, powerfull & smart shot... Common what­ bendtner have???

    From creed, on Wed 12 Nov 7:35AM

  15. Vela for bendtner! By a long shot. Im pretty sure­ bendtner will go or will be squeezed out by next­ season.

    From Tom, on Wed 12 Nov 6:58AM

  16. DELPHINE R outside now!

    From slivatree, on Wed 12 Nov 6:34AM

  17. Arsenal rocks!! They have got those potential to push­ for champs league in the future. I am a fan of Henry­ and Arsenal since i was 9 i am now 16. Wooohhhooooo!

    From herhthing, on Wed 12 Nov 5:25AM
  18. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    it doesnt matter arsenal get the win in this game cause­ they will fall when they meet the mighty reds in the­ final! mark my words!

    From ynwa2921, on Wed 12 Nov 4:51AM

  19. I think we are a good side and continue keep the basic­ character of our play the same..yes people play shove­ and push, but Wenger does not budge.

    And looking at­ the money we don't splurge we do better than most!­

    Vela was class and is one for the future!

    From Abhik, on Wed 12 Nov 4:36AM

  20. I AM HAPPY CUZ VELA PLAYED... HE'S A GREAT­ PLAYER.... I HOPER HE`LL PLAY MORE ON THE PREMIER

    From karipatlan, on Wed 12 Nov 3:04AM
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