Arsenal 2 - 0 Some Small Town in Scotland

September 25, 2007 on 11:48 pm | In Arsenal FC | posted by Block19er |

I could seriously see a bump in the road for Arsenal last night. A totally different XI to what you would class as our first choice against a team that must be very, very, hungry for a trophy. The 3,000 Geordies must have been gutted, Newcastle (some small town in Scotland) were awful and never threaten Arsenal for any serious period of the game. An early chance bought about a great save from Fabianski, anything else that came into the box, the young Pole claimed. He looked very solid in his first competitive game. Newcastle also had Given in goal so it was never going to be easy to grab a goal.

The difference between this Carling Cup side and previous seasons is that you can see any of these players now getting into the first team. I wouldn’t have fancied being on the Newcastle right with Walcott and Traore rampaging down that side. Senderos and Eboue were the two more established players on show. I thought Song had his best performance in an Arsenal shirt, he’s been in for a lot of stick since Fulham away last season, but this was much better at the back.

Bendtner, Eduardo, Eboue, and Walcott all tried their arm at a goal in the first half and Arsenals confidence grew as half time approached. The second half was even better. Eboue was coming inside from his wide right role and had a couple of chances, one was cleared of the line by a Newcastle defender. Again Walcott and Bendtner had chances to score but both missed the target. As we were all thinking about missing trains and extra time Traore sent a lovely ball over from the left, Bendtner rose to header home past Given. Leapt, like, and Salmon come to mind. It was a wonderful header and the young Dane always looked a threat.

With only a few minutes to go, Newcastle finally created an opening, Martins beat Fabianski, but Big Phil was the hero, he managed to beat the ball to the line and hook the ball clear. I feared a ‘backs to the wall job’ but Arsenal were not finished with their attacking. Denilson picked up the ball, he crashed a shot from 20 yards into the top corner of the net, it was another brilliant goal.

One player who I haven’t mentioned but thoroughly enjoyed watching play, Lassana Diarra, fantastic. Totally controlled, wins the ball cleanly without effort, can turn on a 50p, has pace, and can spread the ball for fun. He’s gonna really be a top addition to the Arsenal squad. I also love his song, something to do with Ashley and watching his buns?

It certainly was a tenner well spent last night.

Arsenal: Fabianski, J. Hoyte, Eboue (Diaby 64), Senderos, Traore, Diarra, Denilson, Song, Walcott, Bendtner, Eduardo (Merida 90). Subs Not Used: Mannone, Lansbury, G. Hoyte.

Goals: Bendtner 83, Denilson 89.

Att: 60,004.