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. FABONGRASS,,UTD HAD THERE 2ND TEAM OUT TONIGHT,,AND­ THEY STRUGGLED TO BEAT QPR,,BUT ONLY JUST BEAT­ THEM,,,
    AND YES ONCE AGAIN BY A PENALTY,,ITS ALWAYS A­ BLOODY PENALTY WITH THAT LOT,,STUFFY B$%£&*£S.
    I­ AGREE YOUR TALENT OF YOUNGSTERS SHOULD BE PLAYING MAN­ URE`S SO CALLED YOUTH TALENT IF U DO DRAW THEM IN THE­ NEXT ROUND,,BUT I DOUBT FERGIE WILL,HE IS A S%$T HOUSE

    From big10, on Tue 11 Nov 10:50PM

  2. SEXYELLYE,,,NOBODY WANTS TO KNOW YOU SO F%&K OFF

    From big10, on Tue 11 Nov 10:44PM

  3. hope we get manure too, and do em with our kids, THAT­ would be hilarious!

    From fabongrass, on Tue 11 Nov 10:33PM

  4. well done arsenal,,i hope you get man ure in the­ draw,,and kick there @#$%,,,AGAIN
    C.T.I.D

    From big10, on Tue 11 Nov 10:30PM

  5. it was very amazing seeing the young gunners destroying­ wigan. keep it up boys the cup is yours.

    From COLLINS, on Tue 11 Nov 10:29PM

  6. What a fantastic display!!! I am speachless.

    From lilitoyota, on Tue 11 Nov 10:28PM

  7. Great to see that all Arsenal-haters have been silenced­ once more by Arsenal's wonderful display of soccer.­ Let's face it, Football is a game Arsenal always­ wins! There can't be any better definition of­ Football!!!!!

    From spiritdotcom, on Tue 11 Nov 10:16PM

  8. we love you gunners :)

    From giressekadima, on Tue 11 Nov 10:16PM

  9. totally agree with uaboiga, Bendtner should be replaced­ by Vela

    From Sam, on Tue 11 Nov 10:15PM

  10. man u have to buy this talent

    From kevin, on Tue 11 Nov 10:12PM

  11. Those young lads have a way of bringing it on such that­ evri1 cant help but admire their style. Guys, kip doing­ your thing. Blaze off! Gunner 4 ever.

    From sheyin2002, on Tue 11 Nov 10:12PM

  12. I can't just stop being inlove with Arsenal, we­ love you.
    It was also good to see Da silva on the­ seats. Hope to see u playing soon.
    we are missing :)

    From giressekadima, on Tue 11 Nov 10:12PM

  13. well done, boys.

    From david, on Tue 11 Nov 10:09PM

  14. arsenal u ar doing it right, shame to maunited fixing­ games let them come and learn from arsenal

    From ALEX, on Tue 11 Nov 10:09PM

  15. O ARSENAL FROM YOU I HAVE MADNES IN MY HEAD.

    From kostadinbahchevanski, on Tue 11 Nov 10:09PM

  16. DYNAMITE ABSOLUTELY DYNAMITE, FANTASTIC MATCH, WELL DON­ YOUNG GUNS GREAT FUTURE FOR ARSENAL.

    From Wilson-M, on Tue 11 Nov 10:07PM

  17. wonderful wonderful wonderful arsenal younger gunners­ is wonderful tell me did any one believe that the­ younger gunners could trash wigan first choice in fact­ Arsene Wenger you too much i repect you much, man u­ want to play like us but look at how they are suffering­ it now i only pray they win today but next time i­ don't think they will take that risk again because­ is only Arsene Wenger knows how to use boys to win game­ good luck gunners good luck Arsene Wenger keep it up we­ love you gunners 4 live

    From ancolink1, on Tue 11 Nov 10:06PM

  18. wonderful game by the young guns. The established­ players could take a leaf or two out of your book .­ well done guys. arsenal 4 lyfe

    From muyiwa o, on Tue 11 Nov 10:06PM

  19. And the next dum' @rse moaning about the lack of­ British players in the Arsenal squad shall be fed to­ the lions!!! Because more than half the team on the­ pitch was British!!! ONE ARSENE WENGER...

    From Ben FR, on Tue 11 Nov 10:06PM

  20. Arsenal is the only club who field second team, can­ other big clubs have guts to do that. waalllaaaaaaa..

    From pimsaru, on Tue 11 Nov 10:03PM
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