Carling Cup: Tottenham v Arsenal full time report
Tottenham 1 Arsenal 4 (After extra-time)
Two penalties in extra-time from Samir Nasri and a great strike from Andrey Arshavin sealed a great win for Arsenal over local rivals Tottenham in the third round of the Carling Cup at White Hart Lane.
Henri Lansbury scored the first goal of the game on 15 minutes, as Arsenal controlled the first half. Tomáš Rosický and Jack Wilshire combined, with Wilshire delivering a superb cross, allowing Lansbury to put the ball into an empty net.
Robbie Keane equalised for Tottenham three minutes after half time, but he seemed to be in an offside position. Arsenal ‘keeper Lukasz Fabianski got a strong hand onto the shot and should have done better to keep the effort out.
In extra-time, Nasri was clipped by Sebastien Bassong, and he stepped up to put Arsenal 2-1 in front. Then, a matter of minutes later, Marouane Chamakh was fouled, and once again Nasri did the honours to virtually seal the game.
Arshavin got his name on the score sheet by firing in a thunderous left-footed strike to put the game beyond any doubt and give Arsenal a thoroughly-deserved win.
Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger certainly surprised Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp with his team selection tonight, as in previous years Wenger would have fielded youngsters. With Wenger looking on from the stands as he was serving his one-match touchline ban, he would have been impressed with the confidence of Arsenal’s passing and Wilshire dominating the match, along with Kieran Gibbs’ excellent performance at left-back as well.
Carlos Vela had the first shot of the match for Arsenal on four minutes, but the shot went sailing over the bar as Arsenal made an encouraging start. Former Arsenal man David Bentley curled a free-kick over the bar to record Tottenham’s first effort on 10 minutes, but they couldn’t get into the game at this point.
Arsenal should have been awarded a penalty a minute later, as Lansbury was pushed by Benoit Assou-Ekotto, but referee Lee Probert didn’t give anything. Denilson hit a shot over the bar from the edge of the box as Arsenal were having a firm grip on this north London derby.
Bentley once again had another shot on 20 minutes, but it wasn’t enough to trouble Fabianski. Roman Pavlyuchenko came extremely close to scoring, but his shot hit the side-netting on 26 minutes.
Redknapp sought to change the outcome of the match by bringing on Keane and Aaron Lennon at half time.
North London derbies are always feisty affairs, and this one was proving to be no different, with the game being played at a high tempo and challenges flying in. On the hour mark, Rosický picked out Vela with a fantastic cross, but the Mexican couldn’t direct his header on target.
On 70 minutes, Lennon had the chance to give Tottenham the lead, but a last-ditch tackle from Arsenal new-boy Laurent Koscielny denied the England winger.
Arsenal further strengthened their starting 11 by bringing on Arshavin and Chamakh with 17 minutes left to play, and the substitutions almost paid off straight away as Chamakh got his head onto Gibbs’ cross but couldn’t get a full contact on the ball.
Six minutes from time, Lansbury fired in a shot which stung the hands of Tottenham ‘keeper Stipe Pletikosa.
Tired legs were appearing for Tottenham in extra-time, as Arsenal were looking the more fresher. After Tottenham scored their equaliser, the game tipped in Arsenal’s favour as they regained possession of the ball and looked likely to grab the goals.
It was a comprehensive win for Arsenal and it was a job well done for Wenger’s men, even if the Frenchman wasn’t able to direct from the touchline.
Added time cost Arsenal on Saturday against Sunderland, but it inspired the Gunners tonight at the Lane.
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