Arsenal through to League Cup semi-finals, defeat Wigan 2-0 in quarters
The Carling Cup quarter finals saw Arsenal pitted against Wigan at the Emirates Stadium. The League Cup has traditionally been a chance for Wenger to field his young, inexperienced prodigies learning their trade. To help them get some invaluable first team
experience, a cup whose importance Wenger has ignored over the years. But the recent trophy drought at the Emirates, 5 years going on 6 to be exact, has insured that Wenger has had to bend his mentality considerably as the fans have started to grow impatient
in their wait. Now Wenger has been playing regular first teamers since the word go. He played the likes of Samir Nasri, Jack Wilshere, Laurent Koscielny, Tomas Rosicky, Nicklas Bendtner, Theo Walcott, Alex Song, Bakary Sagna and Marouane Chamakh in the previous
two ties, both away to Tottenham and Newcastle respectively.
But, Arsenal's away form has been impeccable this season. They have the best away form in the whole league this season. But its their home form that has been a cause for concern this season. They've already lost three games at home this season, and they've
only lost six in the past four years at the Emirates. This recent deterioration of standards at home has had the alarm bells ringing, and that is probably the only reason why fans could envisage a Wigan upset instead of the usual Wigan onslaught at the Emirates.
But fortune favours the brave, and Arsene Wenger certainly was brave as he started the game with four strikers in Robin Van Persie, who was also captain in Cesc Fabregas' absence, Nicklas Bendtner, Theo Walcott and Carlos Vela. Jack Wilshere and Denilson
played in central defence. Kieran Gibbs, Laurent Koscielny, Johan Djourou and Emmanuel Eboue formed the backline.
Wigan has set up defensively to try and stifle Arsenal's attacking play and continuous forrays forward. And it proved to be tight enough for the initial period of the match. As Arsenal only threatened with free kicks and corners, and Bendtner missed a sitter
of a header as Van Persie's freekick glided past his head. Van Persie showed some exquisite touches and two audacious reverse backheels that released Vela clear onto goal twice, with Vela messing up the finish the first time around and slipping on the other.
On the 39th minute, Arsenal took the lead when Walcott floated a corner into the box, Bendtner tried to attack it but couldn't connect and unfortunately for Wigan, it was nodded into the net by Wigan's own captain, Alvaro Alcarez. Arsenal had the majority
of possession till then but not much penetration, yet they led 1-0. Nicklas Bendtner scored in the second half when Vela drilled a brilliant ball into the box straight into the feet of Bendtner who just could not have missed. Walcott passed by a flurry of
chances in the second half, showing once again that his finishing isn't yet back to par.
This game was an easy one for Arsenal, and they weren't ever really troubled at the back. It was a solid home performance in front of anxious fans. Arsenal had evaded their home curse. It looks as though they have exorcised the Emirates demons, but it is
too early to say if this win really is a step in the path of resurrection for Arsenal. After all, it could just be a false dawn.
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