Carling Cup: The Ones to Watch
47 comments October 24th, 2006
With the tie away to West Brom tonight in the Carling Cup, there will be a traditional sprinkling of young stars, and a couple of older players making their long-awaited comebacks. Here’s the one’s to look out for:
Philippe Senderos is set to make his first appearance of this season, in what is also his first appearance in the legendary number 6 shirt. After a shoulder injury ended his World Cup, he’ll be itching to get back into the first team.
As will Gael Clichy. With Ashley Cole now gone, Clichy is the only out-and-out left-back at the club. However, with the arrival of William Gallas and the form of Johan Djourou, both Philippe and Gael will have their work cut out getting back into the side: competition for places is higher than ever.
Alex Song made a brief appearance in the win at Reading, and some have speculated that bringing him on was an unfair taunt at a Reading side who’d given it their best. In seriousness, in spite of looking truly horrendous at times last season, Le Boss must have considerable faith in the youngster to have paid €4m to secure his permanent transfer. His pre-season performances were encouraging, and yesterday his impression of a professional footballer was verging on passable. With Abou Diaby and Julio Baptista still out injured, tonight could be a big night for Rigobert’s nephew.
Last season, Mathieu Flamini was a revelation. Forced into an unfamiliar left-back role, he performed heroically. This season, he and Arsene have agreed he will return to his preferred position of central midfield. However, this comes with it’s own problems: the arrival of Abou Diaby and Julio Baptista in the last six months, coupled with the form of Fabregas and Gilberto, means Flamini’s opportunities are going to become ever more limited. If he wants to be regularly involved in the first team, he must take the few opportunies he does get – like tonight.
The Brazilian Denilson travelled to Moscow last week, but didn’t come on. Tonight he is much more likely to make his Arsenal debut in the number 15 shirt that brought Cesc such success (crikey, that’s a mouthful).
So much has been said about Theo Walcott, but tonight will surely be just his second start for the club. After a couple of nervy substitute appearances, he’d like to improve on his impressive full debut against Watford with another dazzling display.
Finally, the forgotten man: Jeremie Aliadiere. Now 23, the Frenchman knows he is on his last chance at the club. It seems crazy to imagine that Aliadiere is actually older than Emmanuel Adebayor, but that’s the case. Injuries have dogged his career, but a goal tonight would bring him closer to the first-team picture, after an absence of over a year.
West Brom are no pushover, and under new management will be more than up for an upset tonight.
