As an Arsenal fan since the time I started watching soccer seriously, yesterday's match against arch-rival Tottenham was crushing, ending in a dismal 5-1 loss.
Arsène Wenger followed a policy of fielding a young side in the Carling Cup and yesterday's semi-final second leg was no exception. In a line-up of youngsters, only skipper William Gallas, fullback Bacary Sagna and winger Hleb were regular features of the Arsenal first team.
The young Arsenal squad was clearly lacking in experience as Tottenham managed to repeatedly pry them open. Only the post and the lack of of finishing prevented the difference from becoming bigger as Berbatov hit the post and Jermaine Defoe missed a sitter, splurging his rare chance to play and impress.
On the other side of the field, Arsenal was unable to put anything together other than pass the ball around. Gilberto was clearly lacking sharpness and fitness while Diaby forever looked clumsy and slow. Denilson was injured early but his replacement Fabregas was a shadow of his usual self, showing rooms of improvement. The strike was no better as the only goal that young Dane Bendtner was pass his own goalkeeper Fabianski.
Although Adebayor managed to pull one back in the later stages of the game, the game was then already over as Arsenal fans were seen leaving White Hart Lane early. The inexperience of the young Arsenal squad was exposed further as they let their frustration show, with defender Justin Hoyte picking up a booking for a rash challenge and Bendtner squabbling with his own teammates Adebayor and Gallas.
Wenger, on the other hand, did not seemed very disturbed as he sat calmly in the dugout, despite throwing in Adebayor and Eduardo to try and salvage a result. He later justified his tactics by claiming that the Carling Cup remains the least of Arsenal's priority in a season that sees them still chasing for the league title, the Champion's League and the FA Cup.
Next week will see Arsenal go back to back against Newcastle in both the league and the fourth round of the FA cup. Arsenal will need to put up a strong performance following yesterday's incredulous showing.
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