Young guns shine in Carling Cup

Arsenal put their problems in the league behind them as a young side beat Shrewsbury Town 3-1 on Tuesday night in the Carling Cup Round 3 at the Emirates. A shock could have been on the cards as Shrewsbury took the lead in a period which they dominated. First Arsenal goals for Kieran Gibbs and new boys 0xlade-Chamberlain and Benayoun were enough to see the Gunners through to round 4 of the cup which they got to the final of last season. Ju Young Park made his first Arsenal appearence whilst Igansi Miquel and Francis Coquelin returned to first team duty. Arsenal fielded a very young bench with Ryo, Aneke and Ozyakup all coming on for their first team debuts along with Martinez, Boateng and Yennaris who were unused subs but had been called up to the first team for the first time.

The teams shaking hands before kick off

The first chance of the game fell to Arsenal as Park found Gibbs who had advanced forward before delivering a cross onto the head of Chamakh but Smith managed to tip his header over the bar.

Chamakh then once again had a brilliant chance to give the Gunners the lead as Coquelin tricked his way past the full back before finding Chamakh inside the box but Smith dived across the goal to once again keep the Moroccan out.

Shrewsbury's first chance of the game came from Wright as Goldson found him running forward. Wright then managed to get a shot away which hit the post and came back out only for the follow up to be put straight into the side netting.

The Shrews then took a surprise lead as a throw in found Morgan who put the ball into the box and onto the head of Collins who powered home a header from 6 yards out to make it 1-0 on just 15 minutes.

Arsenal then started to dominate as Jenkinson found Coquelin on the edge of the area who drove a shot from distance but Smith was equal to it to keep out the shot.

From the Gunners next chance they equalised. Carl Jenkinson crossing the ball in which came off a defender and into the path of Gibbs who headed the ball towards the near post and into the back of the net.

The final chance of the half fell to Park as Coquelin played a ball down field to the Korean who cut inside and curled a shot just wide of the goal.

The score at half time was 1-1.

Arsenal fielded a young and inexperienced side

From the first shot of the second half Arsenal took the lead. Frimpong playing the ball to Oxlade-Chamberlain who sent the ball from distance beyond the goalkeeper and into the net.

Chamberlain then went close again to scoring, this time from just outside the area but the goalkeeper managed to save the effort and parm away the shot.

With 11 minutes still to play Arsenal grabbed a third goal as Ozyakup did well down the right hand side by beating his man before feeding Benayoun who fired home to send the Gunners into round 4.

Arsenal were still creating chances and Benayoun had a chance to grab a second as Chamakh found him on the edge of the box. Benayoun then flicked the ball up and unleashed a shot which just went wide.

The final score ended Arsenal 3-1 Shrewsbury.


The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Fabianski, Jenkinson, Miquel, Djourou, Gibbs, Oxlade-Chamberlain(90), Coquelin, Frimpong(77), Benayoun, Park(72), Chamakh.
Subs: Martinez, Yennaris, Boateng, Ozyakup(77), Watt, Ryo(72), Aneke(90).

Shrewsbury: Smith, Grandison, Jacobson, McAllister(72), Goldson, Wright, Hazell, Wroe, Ainsworth(78), Collins(72), Morgan.
Subs: Neal, Leslie, Richards(72), Bradshaw(72), Male, Taylor(78). 

My man of the match: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain


Referee: Tony Bates
Attendance: 46,539

Last minute mix up gifts Birmingham the cup

A last minute mix up between Szczesny and Koscielny allowed on loan striker Martins to give Birmingham the victory as Arsenal lost 2-1 in the final of the Carling Cup which looked set to go to extra time. Both sides had plenty of the ball and plenty of chances to score but both goalkeepers especially Foster(Birmingham) kept their team in the game. It just was not to be as Arsenal still look for their first trophy in 5 years. Arsenal were without Fabregas and Walcott who both sustained injuries in midweek so Rosicky and Arshavin came in, Van Persie started as captain.

In the opening minutes of the game Birmingham could have been awarded with a penalty and a possible sending off for the Arsenal goalkeeper. Szczesny bringing down Bowyer but the linesman raised his flag for offside although Clichy looked to be playing him on.

Arsenal then managed to work the first chance of the game as Nasri found Arshavin on the edge of the six yard box. He was allowed to turn and work the shot off but Foster kept him out.

Arsenal then managed to work another shot as Nasri beat 3 players before firing his shot high and wide from an angle.

28 minutes into the game with Birmingham not really having many chances they took the lead through Zigic. Larsson playing in the corner onto Johnson who flicked the ball towards Zigic right in front of the goalkeeper to head home.

Immediately after the goal Arsenal almost grabbed an equaliser. Sagna playing the ball in from the right onto the head of Van Persie but it went inches wide of the post and the score remained 1-0.

7 minutes from the break Arsenal did get the equaliser and it came from Van Persie. The ball bounced off a defender and onto Wilshere who struck a fiersome strike against the crossbar which came out to Arshavin. He then beat his man before delivering a ball into Van Persie who on the volley put his shot past Foster to make it 1-1.

Just before half time Arsenal almost took the lead. The ball bouncing out to Nasri who struck a curling shot towards goal but Foster made a good save to keep the scores level.

The score at half time was 1-1.

The first chance of the second half fell to Arsenal as Sagna got down the right touchline before delivering a ball towards Rosicky who struck the ball on the half volley but it went just wide.

Birmingham then had their first big chance of the second half. Fahey's first effort being blocked by a defender but it then came back out to him and he struck a shot which rocketed against the post and back out.

Arsenal were pressuring desperately for a winner and they almost got one through Nasri and Bendtner but both efforts on goal were saved brilliantly by the hands of Foster in the Birmingham goal.

Foster then had to make another good save from Nasri. Nasri cutting inside from the left onto his right foot and unleashing the shot but Foster got down well to parry the ball away.

Then with one minute on the clock Birmingham took the lead thanks to a huge mix up between Szczesny and Koscielny. Foster smashing a huge ball up to Zigic who nodded the ball down towards Koscielny who should have just smashed it away but instead left it to the goalkeeper. The ball then bounced off Szczesny and straight into the path of Martins who tapped the ball into an empty net.

The final score ended Arsenal 1-2 Birmingham.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Djourou, Koscielny, Clichy, Rosicky, Nasri, Song, Wilshere, Arshavin(76), Van Persie(68).
Subs: Almunia, Squillaci, Eboue, Gibbs, Denilson, Bendtner(68), Chamakh(76).

Birmingham: Foster, Carr, Bowyer, Johnson, Ridgewell, Larsson, Gardner(50), Ferguson, Fahey(81), Zigic(90), Jiranek.
Subs: Taylor, Murphy, Parnaby, Beausejour(50), Phillips, Jerome(90), Martins(81).

My man of the match: Jack Wilshere (Arsenal) Ben Foster (Birmingham)

Referee: Mike Dean
Attendance: 88,851

Ipswich grab shock victory in first leg

Arsenal were at the hands of a shock loss to Ipswich 1-0 in the Carling Cup semi final first leg. A loan goal from Tamas Priskin sealed the victory for the Tractor boys on Wednesday night as Arsenal were miles from their best. Ipswich having lost to Chelsea 7-0 in the FA Cup at the weekend they were dreading a visit from another of the Premiership's big boys. Arsene Wengar obviously wants to win this trophy for the fans and fielded a strong side with Fabregas, Walcott and Wilshere all starting. Eboue once again started in place of the suspended Sagna. Reserves Shea and Miquel were on the bench.

Arsenal could have had some good chances to score in the first minutes of the game but sloppy passes meant the Gunners could not even get a shot in.

Ipswich then had their first good opportunity of the game as Priskin cut in from the left and worked a shot but it was just driven wide.

Arsenal's first chance of the game dropped to Walcott who from just outside the area hit a shot but it was tame and straight into the hands of the goalkeeper.

5 minutes before the break Ipswich were awarded a free kick. Kennedy found Delaney who tried to head the ball back across goal but Koscielny cleared it away and the danger was over.

Ipswich were playing really well and they thought they had a goal just before half time. The ball being played through to Priskin who bicycle kicked the ball into the back of the net but it was disallowed as the Hungarian was standing in an offside position.

They then had another chance as Wickham got past two players but he smashed his shot high and wide.

The score at half time was 0-0.

The first chance of the second half fell to Arshavin. Fabregas from deep finding Arshavin who took one touch and then wildely smashed his shot high and wide of the target.

Fabregas then gave the ball straight to Kennedy who saw Szczesny off his line and went for the shot from long range but Szczesny back peddled and stopped the shot.

Priskin then once again had another good oportunity to put Ipswich ahead. The ball being punted down field towards him but Djourou got back to the striker to make the tackle just as he was about to pull the trigger.

Arsenal were playing better than in the first half and Gibbs managed to get a shot off but once again it went wide.

The Gunners were pressuring to go 1 up and a nice exchange of passes between Fabregas and Walcott led to a shot from the English Winger but Fulop kept it out.

Fabregas then had a brilliant opportunity as Gibbs delivered the ball from the left into the skipper but from 5 yards he hit it over with his thigh.

It was end to end football but with 12 minutes to play the deadlock was broken and it was Ipswich the suprise goal scorers. Norris with the through ball into Priskin who raced towards goal and then tucked his shot past Szczesny and into the back of the net.

Ipswich then almost made it 2-0. Fulop the goalkeeper smashing the ball downfield to Edwards who managed to get a shot out as he raced to the byline but Szczesny was there to keep him out.

The final score ended Ipswich 1-0 Arsenal.

The teams lineups:

Ipswich: Fulop, Peters, McAuley, Delaney, O'Dea, Edwards, Norris, Healy, Kennedy, Wickham, Priskin(89).
Subs: Lee-Barrett, Smith, Eastman, Civelli, Lambe, Hourihane, Murray(89).

Arsenal: Szczesny, Eboue, Koscielny, Djourou, Gibbs, Walcott, Fabregas, Denilson, Arshavin(79), Wilshere(67), Bendtner(68).
Subs: Shea, Miquel, Eastmond, Ramsey, Song(67), Chamakh(68), Vela(79).

My man of the match: Wojciech Szczesny

Referee: Martin Atkinson
Attendance: 29,146