Man City v. Arsenal 3-0 2/Dec/09

[Photo: Ian Hodgson via Daily Mail]


In a similar fashion of that of last year's, the "reserve" team of the Gunners was minimised to shreds after a proper first team who defeated the Gunners in order, to reach the semifinals of the unimpressive Carling Cup. In no way this should be treated as a failure since focus that Wenger associates to this cup is to prove second string player and youngsters. While this tournament seems as another FA Youth Cup, some of Wenger's kids have to worry about their consistency within the north London ranks. Post match reactions by Arsenal's manager against Hugues have acquired a fairly indiscreet amount of coverage throughout the media.



[Photo: Daily Mail]


The Mancunians started the match with a large run of unanticipated fervour: Tevez shot as Adebayor retaliated with a wide header. Not even ten minutes into the game and the Gunners were facing an anticipation of what the rest of the match was going to be. The defence was shaky starting with Armand Traore. The offensive impression of the Gunners was reduced to a run by Vela, who finished above the bar.
Craig Bellamy ran riot through the right back just as one of his ferocious drivers went just inches from woodwork. Again it was Fabianski who saved a close range effort by Carlos Tevez. Even when the visitors gained possession and tried a bit more than what they were actually making, the attempts were futile as Shaun Wright Phillips still dominated the game on that left side. The second clearest chance for the Gunners was the one by Eboue at 34th minute, digging deep into the box to face Given.



Tevez celebrates his terrific definition that gave the Citizens the second goal.
[Photo: on Super/AP via Guardian]


Four minutes passed until the cracks in the Arsenal defence appeared. Tevez, against the reluctance of three defenders shot past the wall and finished top corner. In an outstanding definition, Arsenal showed some amateur defending. The experience of the home players completely outclassed the fresh, lively initiative of the Gunners' reserves. One could think that the captain in time, Mikaël Sylvestre, could pose some calm. Instead he was booked for some moronic defending worthy of a youngster.
With thirty minutes to end, the panorama did not look as bright as in the previous Carling Cup matches: even when Emmanuel Eboue and Ramsey provided Carlos Vela with chances, the Mexican looked like an ant against a dinosaur in front of two experienced centre-backs. If we come to think about it, there was no actual striker even when positions were reshuffled. As the time wore off there was no actual offensive threat from the Gunners. Sanchez Watt substituted Eastmond, and the momentum of the visitors grew. If there was a point in the match that the Londoners had an upperhand, was for about twenty seconds.
Immediately after Wright Phillips dribbled through two defenders and provided an outstanding volley in the back of the net. Within ten minutes to go there were more bookings made rather than the entire match. The final goal by the Mancunians was when substitute Weiss ended top corner; Merida final shot on woodwork was useless.