Arsenal 3-1 Spurs (aet): Five Years of Work Rewarded with Final
803 comments February 1st, 2007
“I am very proud of what they have achieved. It’s a sensational feeling to work with them and go through with them. When you look at them when it’s one-one and extra time you know they will not give up, they will continue to go after. You can win or lose you know, but they have a heart. It’s fantastic to see. It’s the work of five years.”
You have to feel delighted for Arsene. He has overseen the development of an assortment of astonishingly talented players, and last night they graduated to a Carling Cup Final against Chelsea. And to those who feared that Arsene might abandon his policy at Cardiff, he has delivered a firm proclomation:
“Those who have not played until now will not play the final.”
That means, unequivocably, no Henry. And on the basis of last night, we might manage OK.
The good news began before kick-off, when it emerged that Aaron Lennon had been scoffing lasagne pre-game, with unsurprisingly disastrous consequences. Considering their best player was absent, it was slightly surprising to see Arsenal line up in a 4-5-1, with Aliadiere and Walcott supporting Adebayor from wide positions. Kolo Toure missed a great chance on a rebound, and Jeremie Aliadiere dragged a shot wide, but it was a tight affair, with both sides aware of how critical the first goal might be.
Throughout the tournament, Arsene’s use of substitutes has been very intelligent. During the second half, Clichy and Rosicky added some steel and attacking flair, and Cesc Fabregas later joined them in place of the tiring but impressively powerful Diaby. Come the 75th minute, this extra class told. A Tomas Rosicky fizzer was pushed away by Robinson, before finding it’s way back to the Czech midfielder. He then slipped a clever through ball to Emmanuel Adebayor, who passed across Robinson and into the net. It was almost a replica of his goal at Old Trafford, and another important late strike for the Togolese front-man.
At that stage, I thought we were through: Tottenham never looked like scoring, and we were keeping the ball very well indeed. However, a harsh decision against the oustanding Denilson led to a Jermaine Jenas free-kick being headed in by Mido. With the youngsters tiring physically and mentally, and the momentum now with Tottenham, you could be forgiven for a few nerves.
But we ought to know by now that these players are tougher than that. And in extra-time they proved it: Jeremie Aliadiere smashing home after a Ricardo Rocha error, before Tomas Rosicky latched on to an Adebayor flick to score what should have gone down as his goal, but seems to have been credited to Pascal Chimbonda.
3-1 it was, and a magnificent way to set up what should be a thrilling final in Cardiff. Chelsea will be going all out for the trophy, but our players have so much motivation to win: for someone like Almunia, it’s a rare chance to win something from the starting eleven, whereas the likes of Denilson and Walcott will be desperate for their first domestic prize.
But for now, let’s leave questions of the team selection aside, and savour what was a fantastic victory over our local rivals. The future’s bright. The future’s Red.
