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Match Report: Burnley 2-0 Arsenal

Arsene Wenger’s young guns marched into another Carling Cup tie full of optimism, and why not? They had already beaten Sheffield United and Wigan in the previous rounds by great margins.

Burnley were a side full of confidence, after a recent good run of form which included their very own League Cup win over another top four side, Chelsea.

Team news for the north London giants was injury to Alex Song meant that inexperienced defender Paul Rodgers was given his chance in the Gunners backline – it proved an uncertain choice from French tactician Wenger.

Burnley Starting XI

Jensen
Duff – Carlisle – Caldwell – Jordan
Alexander – Blake – Eagles – McCann
McDonald – Paterson

Arsenal Starting XI

Fabianski (c)
Hoyte – Rodgers – Silvestre – Gibbs
Wilshere – Ramsey – Randall – Mérida
Bendtner – Vela

First Half

Clarets ‘keeper Brian Jensen made the first of a serious of saves as early as the fourth minute to deny striker Nicklas Bendtner.

The home side went in front with their first real threat on goal when Robbie Blake found Chris Eagles and his ball to the near post was turned in by Kevin McDonald, after goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski had been put under pressure by Martin Paterson.

Goal: Kevin McDonald (6) – Burnley 1-0 Arsenal

Bendtner had an early opportunity to equalise when sent clear by Carlos Vela, but Jensen was equal to the task.

Jensen was then called into action to save from both Mark Randall and Vela, before in a rare Burnley attack Paterson had a left-foot strike at goal, but his effort lacked power.

A lovely backheel by Bendtner sent Randall clean through on goal, but Jensen produced another fine save to deny the young midfield player who had spent a short while of last season on loan at Turf Moor.

Jensen ensured Burnley went in at the interval in front with another remarkable save after Bendtner was again the provider with a pass to Vela.

Second Half

Fran Merida should have tied things up just two minutes into the second half when he beat three Burnley defenders, but shot wide of the far post.

That was to prove an expensive miss as Arsenal were caught napping by a quick thrown-in from Eagles which sent MacDonald through on goal to score his second of the evening.

Goal: Kevin McDonald (56) – Burnley 2-0 Arsenal

The home side should have made the game safe on 64 minutes when Blake chipped the ball to the far post, but Paterson’s header was saved by Fabianski.

However, the Clarets defended bravely as the game wore on and this victory, their third against London Premier League opposition sealed a memorable evening.

Out muscled, out fought and out gunned – that’s one competition down. Now it’s time for the first team to show what they’re made up.

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