By Richard Clarke
Arsene Wenger has urged his young side to be quick off the blocks in tonight’s Carling Cup Semi-Final second leg at Emirates Stadium.
The Arsenal scholars had a bad case of exam nerves in the opening 20 minutes of the first leg at Tottenham last week. They conceded two early goals and, at one point, you feared they might be handed the sternest of lessons. However, by half time, Arsenal had steadied themselves and were beginning to ask questions of the home defence. Two goals from Julio Baptista drew them level and they might have even won the tie at the death.
It was the 11th time that Wenger’s side had trailed this season before coming back to get a result. No 12 came a few days later against Bolton in the FA Cup. No Arsenal fan would complain about a 13th successful comeback this evening — remember their team only need to avoid a defeat or a high-scoring draw to go through — however it is hardly a strategy for long-term success.
“At the Emirates we have sometimes made a hesitant start,” Wenger told Arsenal.com.
“Once we get into the game we can roll over any team and that is what we have to learn to do now.
“In the Premiership we are the team who concedes less in the second half and scores more. The numbers tell you that. But we must start better, stronger and be more focused.
“This tie is basically a match of 180 minutes and we are only at half time. You know you want to win the second 90 minutes no matter what happened in the first. The best way to be surprised tonight is not to deal with the problem mentally.
“Of course Tottenham are in the same situation. They know they cannot protect an advantage so it is not so much a first or second game this evening, it is just a game everybody will want to win.”
Wenger has vowed to replicate his selection formula at White Hart Lane. The starting XI will be the usual mix of young players, first-team squad players along with a couple of regulars. However the bench will be smothered with experienced players. They are the manager’s insurance policy.
The major omission from the first leg is Julio Baptista, who injured his groin against Bolton on Sunday. However Gilberto is back after a ban and will come straight in to the side. Otherwise, broadly speaking, it is ‘as you were’ from the first leg. Alex Hleb and Emmanuel Eboue came off the bench to have a huge influence on the Arsenal fightback a week ago. Unfortunately they picked up injuries in the process. As a result Tomas Rosicky and Emmanuel Adebayor have been drafted into the squad this evening. In addition Gael Clichy replaces Mark Randall.
Wenger made no apologies for sticking with his ‘Young Guns’.
“It is part of the learning process,” he said. “You know once you are a player at Arsenal Football Club only the best will be expected of you. That is why it is very interesting to continue to play and deal with the pressure.
“At White Hart Lane we had to deal with being 2-0 down. But the team stuck to their game and did it well. They will have to do it again this evening.”
* If the scores are level tonight after 90 minutes, two periods of 15 minutes extra time will be played. If the scores are still level after this extra half-hour, whoever has scored the most goals away from home will progress. If the teams still can’t be separated, there will be a penalty shoot-out to determine the winner.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment