Match Report: Arsenal 3-0 Wigan Athletic
|Arsenal took on Steve Bruce’s rugged Wigan side looking to progress to the Quarter Final’s of the Carling Cup.
It was no surprise to see Wenger treat this tie as a sort of after-hours kindergarden – the Frenchman has been using the League Cup to blood his young players since his appointment in north London in 1996.
Even so, it was still startling to witness a side with an average age of just 19 out-class a Wigan team which showed just one change from their last Premier League game against Stoke.
But this, of course, is no ordinary collection of tyros.
Arsenal Starting XI
Fabianski
Hoyte – Song – Djourou – Gibbs
Wilshere – Randall – Ramsey – Merida
Simpson – Vela
Wigan Starting XI
Kirkland
Melchiot – Bramble – Boyce – Figueroa
Cattermole – Palacios
De Ridder – Koumas – Valencia
Zaki
First Half
Arsenal had shown a similarly ruthless streak in dismantling Sheffield United in the third round, the Championship club crushed 6-0, but while Wigan manager Steve Bruce tried desperately to avoid similar ignominy by flooding midfield, his ploy failed dismally.
His team simply had no answer to Arsenal’s creative exuberance and only some inspired goalkeeping by Chris Kirkland stopped a total humiliation.
The England hopeful – watched by his national manager Fabio Capello – was forced into action in the 15th minute, when he raced from his line to smother at Vela’s feet after the Mexican had dithered over his shot. He then flicked out his fingertips to divert Simpson’s follow-up drive onto the crossbar.
Arsenal, encouraged by their frenetic start, duly laid siege. Kieran Gibbs latched onto Fran Merida’s pass and slammed his shot against Kirkland at the near post and Aaron Ramsey saw a well struck free-kick palmed aside by the goalkeeper, just as it seemed sure to nestle in the roof of the net.
And that was not the end of Arsenal’s frustrations. In the 24th minute, the lively Vela – infuriating one minute, intoxicating the next – had one of his more inspired moments, curling a delicious left-footed shot towards the top corner.
The 19-year-old was virtually wheeling away in celebration when Kirkland somehow flung out his right glove to tip the ball around the post.
Arsenal’s exuberant football deserved a goal and, two minutes before the interval, they had it. Just for once, it was crafted entirely in England: Jack Wilshere, drifting in from the right wing, delivered a delightfully weighted pass that dissected the Wigan centre-halves and allowed Simpson to stretch out a long leg and poke the ball through Kirkland’s legs.
Goal: Jay Simpson (42) – Arsenal 1-0 Wigan Athletic
Wigan should have been awarded a penalty when Johan Djourou handled in the area, while Amr Zaki might have done better than shoot tamely at Lukasz Fabianski from an inviting angle.
Second Half:
Simpson headed a Fran Merida cross over the bar and Ramsey slipped in a delicious pass for Kieran Gibbs, who drove a shot at Kirkland as the second half began.
In the 66th minute a lightning break saw Ramsey deliver another picture-perfect pass to Vela, who skipped away from Emmerson Boyce and squared to Simpson, who showed admirable composure to lash into the net.
Goal: Jay Simpson (66) – Arsenal 2-0 Wigan Athletic
Moments later, it was Vela’s turn to shine. The teenager had capped victory against Sheffield United with a mesmerising lob, and proved that was no fluke with an equally dazzling chipped finish over Kirkland.
Goal: Carlos Vela (70) – Arsenal 3-0 Wigan Athletic
There was still time for a coup de grace, Fabianski saving brilliantly from Daniel De Ridder and then somehow tipping Zaki’s follow-up onto the crossbar as he dived backwards. It was that kind of night for Arsenal.
United played with Tevez and needed a penalty!!! Even these lads would have achieved a draw or win!!! We have Simpson!!! Outstanding performance. Cant believe the average age of 18. Jack Wilshere “man of the match”. The future is brighter then ever. Mark Randall will be new Gerard but of his own style. Gunner4ever
draw or win I have meant for Manu utd lost on saturday´. These young teenies just faboulus. Arsene absolutely genius. Who needs Arshavin!!!!
whats the update on velas injury? anyone.
injury? he dont have. He was substituted to get Fonte a chance to play !!! No worries mate
superb from young guns…i think this squad should play in EPL againts teams bottom half of the table…they did very well againts EPL team from those group where our 1st squad failed to deal with those teams..
Ramsey anchor the midfield very well.
If our first team would play with the kind of enthusiasm and commitment that these young guns have shown the last two Carling Cup ties we would stop losing points to bottom half teams…
Obv we just beat ManU, but we look like we are nervous about dropping points to “weak” opposition often, while the youngsters just relish the chance to make their mark…
great performance, the cup is ours!
Man U just got lucky to win with QPR…hehehe
if this squad continue their performance like this thru out the cup campaign..no doubt the cup will be ours!!
Can we please end any comparisons between Randall and any premiership player, let alone the captain of a big four squad? I thought he was the weakest link today, constantly losing possession with poor passes or ill-timed back heels.
Djourou, aside from his inadvertant handling, was magnificent – a shame he can’t get more time with the first team.
Wilshire was the best player on the pitch, and it wasn’t even close. He seems to be getting better and better – a scary thought for someone so young. What style and composure!
Ramsey was excellent as well. A bit too in love with the back heel as well, but he is tenacious, composed, and surprisingly technical – brilliant free kick as well.
Gibbs has great potential but needs a lot of work – he needs to learn when to cross and when to shoot…in fact, try watching Clichy – he does not simply shoot because it might be there, he crosses it on the floor to give someone else a better opportunity.
Vela was magnificent in the second half. He truly is an exciting player.
Finally, I thought Fabianski got better as the match went on. I love how quick he is off the line, even if sometimes it is too ambitious. He seems to have the real stuff.
Solid performance from the young gunners!
didnt see it. but the goals looked class. feel for kirkland, his great display was undermined by a defence that wasnt there at times. but good arse performance. i kindof hope to see liverpool drawn against arsenal in the hope that rafa will go reserves vs reserves. would be interesting.
Certainly would be mate.
I think we’ll get to the semi’s, the draw will be very interesting indeed.
when’s the draw?
What an outstanding performance by the young guns,ramsey is very skillful,sharp,clever,plays with a whole lot of confidence.Wilshere is a future star and for vela cant wait to see him having an outstanding performance for the first team.