What a disappointment for the Arsenal young guns, a 2-0 loss to a surprisingly strong Burnley side. It was one hell of a freezing winter night and the cold looked to have got to the baby guns, as they were outplayed in a game they certainly should have won.
It is the strikers I feel who are to blame, Arsenal's superb midfield (excluding Mark Randall) created a host of chances for their front men but Burnley's hero Brian Jensen made sure the Burnley goal was left alone.
Though Jensen did make a number of fine saves as an Arsenal fan you have to feel that those chances should have been taken, as usual whenever Nicklas Bendtner had the ball he looked clumsy and nervous which cost Arsenal a semifinal berth.
Bendtner had three clearcut chances but the great Dane either hammered them at Jensen or smashed it wide, Bendtner needs to get his dribbling skills and shooting worked out or I do not see a place for him in the Arsenal side.
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Burnely's midfield caused mass headaches for the Arsenal defence which is fair to say was extremely poor as it was missing Alexandre Song and Johan Djourou.
On too many occasions did the Burnely attack make its way through the Arsenal defence with ease, 'keeper Lukas Fabianski was not superb but did pull of a few fine saves to keep the Arsenal youngsters in the game but you have to admit the likes of Mikael Silvestre, Paul Rodgers, Gavin Hoyte, and Kieran Gibbs did not pull there wieght in defence.
The midfield at times looked superb with Aaron Ramsey and Fran Merida looking very dangerous with both their runs and passing. Jack Wilshere looked impressive at times and obviously has a big future but unfortunately mid-way through the second half it was way past his bed time and he was substituted.
Mark Randall was the worst of the Arsenal midfield, his defence was appalling and his efforts to stop two goal hero Kevin McDonald scoring were horrid. It was no surprise to see him taken off and looking back you feel that Wenger should of started with Amaury Bischoff or Francis Coquelin.
Arsene Wenger's choice to go with all youngsters is no doubt a smart plan as it gives the youngsters immense experience and confidence but Wenger should have had at least one or two senior players on the bench like Robin van Persie, Emmanuel Adebayor, Abou Diaby, or Denilson.
This would mean if Arsenal do get in a spot of bother like they were, Wenger can turn to them to liven the attack or defence. It was a tad unlucky for the Gunners as some one like Eduardo or Emmanuel Eboue or Tomas Rosicky—who are all suffering from injury—could have fitted that role perfectly.
A poor game for Arsenal and it comes after a magnificent game at Stamford Bridge. It also means Arsenal lose their strongest chances of a trophy but there is still the Champions League and FA Cup.
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about 1 month ago
you are spot on mate! i wonder the number of opportunities bendtner requires to prove himself. wenger is not getting the story correct, we need a trophy to bolster confidence. manu is a good example 3seasons ago when they won the carling cup(u dnt need a voodoist to tell u what that has done to their confidence level and the returns in terms of trophies). the board needs to reconsider their stance on allowing wenger get away with all the crap. it is becoming increasingly difficult to hope for a double or even treble,most teams are catching up(considering the resources available to them now.ala mancity et al) get some experience and spend the cash required for that. 3league titles and 4FA cups in 12yrs is not enough mr.wenger.
about 1 month ago
Bendtner has to be sold, he is useless. I don't agree with your best chance of a trophy opinion. We still have every chance in f.a cup and champions league. And Arsenal fans don't view the carling cup as a success. I'm personally glad we're out. A 2 leg semi-final distraction avoided where the manager contemplates including a number of first-teamers especially if we were drawn against spurs. We have a small squad. The less games the better. Now he needs to give Vela regular chances and sell Bendtner
from about 1 month ago
yeh Bendter needs to be sold and with Eduardo coming back I can't see a place for the big dane who has wasted to many oppurtunities
about 1 month ago
Credit where it is due to Burnley - I felt they were magnificent.
Bentdner is not now useless, after one bad game. Dont forget his goal v Kiev sent Arsenal through to the Champions League 2nd round.
He wasnt great last night but he wasnt the only player who couldnt find his way past the beast Jensen!
In any case even if it was Arsenal's best chance at a trophy, I dont think it is a big enough trophy to satisfy Arsenal fans, and whats more if the Arsenal young players won it it wouldnt exactly be a trophy for the Arsenal first team proper now would it?
from about 1 month ago
Burnely did play well and all credit to them but Bendter has wated way to many chances to make his mark and now i think it is to late.
his goal against kiev was good but thats about the only thing he has done this seawson
from about 1 month ago
Burnely did play well and all credit to them but Bendter has wated way to many chances to make his mark and now i think it is to late.
his goal against kiev was good but thats about the only thing he has done this season
about 1 month ago
Callum - I think you're being slightly over zealous - first you said that you felt that this team will definitely win.. and now, you're saying that the Carling Cup was the best chance for Arsenal as far as a trophy is concerned.
These were 18 and 19 year olds mostly, and they were expected to have a difficult game around the corner.. Burnley away is a difficult game, and I think Arsenal's best chance of a trophy will be either the Champions League or the FA Cup anyway.
I love watching the Carling Cup, but I didn't really expect this young side to win it.. that might have been asking a bit too much from them.
from about 1 month ago
i suppose i am being zealous but i would really like to see Arsenal win a trophy this season
about 1 month ago
haha 2-0 mate!!! and you said the score could get into double figures... yeah for burnley it could've!!! a fantastic result for burnley, i enjoyed watching every minute of that game.
from about 1 month ago
from a neutral point of view it would of been a blinder
about 1 month ago
I really don't know what you are trying to get at here Callum I think perhaps Shyam is right and you are being a bit over zealous.
Look at the facts:
1) I am not in the slightest bit suprised at a)how good Burnley are and b)that they won. They have beat Fulham and Chelsea plus they got to the semis of the FA Cup last year and are a good championship side. Just because our team name happens to be Arsenal doesn't mean our academy players have a given right to knock out a team from a lower league.
2) Wenger always uses this as a way of either bringing some new signings up to tempo or giving a game to the younger guys.
3) If the full Arsenal team won this I would think "great a trophy" but we should be aiming for a lot, lot more.
4) Bischoff is only getting match fit and can't play a full 90. The suggestion of putting RVP etc on the bench is silly - imagined if he got injured for the weekend, the league is more important.
5) Very negative thinking if you reckon this is our best chance of a trophy - I still think if we get a favourable draw in the Champions League (ie avoid the English sides) we have a great chance of winning that.
from about 1 month ago
yes having van Persie on the bench was a bit silly and if Eduardo was there he could of slotted in nicely
Bischoof looks a talent and it will be nice to see him when he is fit.
from about 1 month ago
no mary, it was barnsley that got to the semis of the fa cup. i think burnley only made it to the 4th round last year, so of course, as with barnsley, they are now due a cup run.
from about 1 month ago
Oh darn it my bad Yoosof thanks for the correction - big bad mistake on my behalf but still Burnley are a good team :-)
from about 1 month ago
avoid english sides??? (point 5). hell we've beaten 2 of the english champions league sides already. bring 'em on. I honestly believe this team can beat any side in the world but for some reason will struggle against so called lesser teams. I don't know why and i don't know if AW knows why, desire,physicality, i don't know. All i know is from about the 10th minute on i felt we always had a chance of beating chelsea. Once we scored, the confidence came back, chelsea were shadows.
about 1 month ago
6 of the Arsenal starting line up have played in the Premier League this season...right? How many Burnley players have?
Burnley is run on a shoe string budget and are on an amazing run but I'm not for this it was only kids routine (Arsenal). It was a stronger side than Burnley's but they wanted it more.
Bendtner is over rated in my opinion and has NEVER done a consistant job for the Gunners.
And no mention of YOUNGSTER Kevin McDonald? Was it that you are all a little embarrassed at losing out to a £500,000 man from the Scottish First Division? :)
from about 1 month ago
Andrew McNair having a dig at Arsenal shocker!!
I'm not embrassed one bit - fair play to Burnley but if we had our full team out then hell yes I would be embrassed. I think you are being a bit unfair on Burnley in all honesty by saying Arsenal had the better side - maybe techincally our players are better but are still learning their trade but you know Andrew enjoy getting the digs in if it'll keep you happy didn't see any comments from you when they knocked out Chelsea!!
from about 1 month ago
I'm sick of this Arsenal pity party. I can't say anything without being called an Arsenal hater and you (Maire) and Shyam defending each other at every opportunity smells like an old boys club to me that leads Bleacher down the path of fan sites and not objective analysis. I don't support any team in the EPL as you well know, so what exactly is your problem?
I'm not being unfair on Burnley, The manager Owen Coyle said the other day they are the 22nd best supported team in the championship which means they are tiny. They had some good players out there but Arsenal had plenty of internationals as well as their kids....
I don't remember seeing or reading an article about Burnley beating Chelsea and anyway is McDonald not learning his trade?
I wasn't having a dig but was pointing out that I didn't buy the 'it was our youth team spiel'. What the hell is wrong with that????
I basically said the same as you did but because I'm not an Arsenal fan, I can't say it? I would love you to explain?
from about 1 month ago
It can't be an all-boys club cos I am woman.
Did Shyam even comment on this article I don't know and I don't defend him but if I think something is said in having a dig at Arsenal then I'll say it. I'm an Arsenal FAN what do you expect?? The only other time I have "argued" with you over Arsenal is that thing you wrote on Wenger so really if you call that an "Arsenal party pity" you like your hyperbole.
You said you don't accept this "youth team" thing but it was in all essence and I was merely pointing that out. Silvestre hardly counts does he?? For God sake Wenger put in Rodgers in the first half cos he is trying to get the kid a club at one of the lower divisons.
What does the support have to do with it really - if you have a decent team, you have a decent team.
P.S. Just because you think you are objective on matters doesn't mean I have to agree - I have never called you names, resorted to foul language etc besides do you not see I am wholly biased been an Arsenal fan.
from about 1 month ago
lol Maire you get my blood pumping :)
You even said on your original comment that Shyam is right and now you ask did he even comment on this article?
I'll repeat my question, I basically said what you said, that you weren't impressed by Arsenal but I can't say it without you having a go at me. Other than my Wenger article, when else have I had a go at your club???.....
.....but you managed to say "Andrew McNair having a dig at Arsenal shocker!!"...I'll ask again, where is it all coming from?
I said Old Boys and not all boys....As you well Old Boys refers to people sticking together lol
If Burnley are a decent team then Arsenal are (or should be) world class.
I've never used bad language but you did just have an unprovoked go at my character.
But you are entitled to your opinion and you don't have to believe anything I say, if you think I'm an Arsenal hater then you believe that lol...good luck when the real haters come along.
from about 1 month ago
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha oh Andrew I knew I'd get you going ha ha ha after your Wenger article I knew I'd get my opportunity ha ha ha I enjoyed our argument last time LOL
I was only kidding :-)
Arsenal do have a world class team but what you saw was our world class academy and Silvestre LOL Apparently Bendtner and his pink boots are off to Russia which is a bit sad I think he can be ok but he just doesn't seem too pushed about playing for Arsenal if you get me....
Oh and I have met some first class Arsenal haters in real life believe me
No harm done??
from about 1 month ago
Of course not :) All is 'fun' in love and war lol
We not here to argue and I know that, we here to have fun and spend our time with something we love. Football is still a warzone tho lol
Does this mean it is my turn to start plotting? haha
I'm prob too scared to right about Arsenal now tho :P
from about 1 month ago
Agh see Andrew you told me about your plotting now so I'll be on the look out :-)
woah woah woah just watching the Villa game and they are 2-0 down in 19mins what's wrong with them??
from about 1 month ago
they might have played in the premier league but excluding bendtner and silvestre we're talking about minutes in premier league appearances. You cannot argue with the fact that this team was kids learning their trade...as such the vunerabilty away from home compared to easy success at emirates. Bendtner is useless and Silvestre isn't up to much. And as an Arsenal fan i can tell i don't care about the carling cup and i don't care if McDonald cost 5pound from a pub-team. why would i care??
from about 1 month ago
Hoyte has been around for years, Ramsay played in an FA Cup Final......How a REAL fan doesn't care about a real cup I don't know. Oh well. your loss.
from about 1 month ago
I think you are thinking of Hoyte's older brother Andrew he is now at Boro - Justin Hoyte?? The player at Arsenal now is Gavin Hoyte
from about 1 month ago
Thanks Maire, I thought he had moved on. Ah well only 5 have played in the EPL this season :P
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