Arsenal Head to Wembley

3-0 home victories against Wigan on Saturday and Ipswich last night have seen Arsenal go second in the Premier League and book their spot in the Carling Cup Final. Last night’s semi-final win took a little time coming but second-half goals from Bendtner, Koscielny and Fabregas saw the Gunners into their first cup final since losing to Chelsea in the same competition at the Millennium Stadium in 2007.

Ipswich deserve a huge amount of credit and praise for the way they played last night. In the face of an almost constant onslaught they had an awful lot of defending to do but for an hour they held firm and, for the most part, looked reasonably comfortable. Though the Gunners held the upper hand in terms of possession throughout, they seemed to find it difficult to plough their way through the Tractor Boys’ massed defences. Robin Van Persie and Cesc Fabregas both came close in the first half but, at the interval, it was the visiting fans who were the happier.

In the end, it took a special goal to break the deadlock and Nicklas Bendtner was the man who provided it in the 61st minute. He controlled a fabulous pass from Jack Wilshere. Deceiving his marker with a flick of his heel, he cut inside and bent the ball into the far corner of the net. It was a gorgeous strike and, after a difficult and injury-ridden first half of the season, it was great to see him scoring such a magnificent and important goal.

Even though Bendtner has done much to quieten dissenting voices amongst the crowd over the past couple of seasons, he still has his detractors. However, his goal last night showed that he does have something to offer. We know he can often look awkward on the ball and Arsene Wenger’s reasons for regularly playing him as a wide-man are sometimes hard to fathom but underneath the Dane’s blustering over-confidence there is a decent footballer there. He might have got off on the wrong foot with many supporters a few years ago but he has not let it bother him. He has kept plugging away and has won the majority over.

Laurent Koscielny’s headed goal moments later knocked the stuffing out of Ipswich and Cesc Fabregas made the game safe with a breakaway effort in the 77th minute. So, whilst it took a while to make the break-through, all’s well that ended well. Semi-finals are for winning and the Gunners stuck to their task and saw it through.

Looking at individuals, Cesc Fabregas and Jack Wilshere both turned in tenacious performances and are forming a formidable partnership in the centre of the midfield. Arsenal’s defence didn’t have much to do but dealt with what they had to efficiently enough. Up front, Robin Van Persie looked lively but didn’t get the breaks on this occasion.

If there had to be one criticism it would be of the second-string players that were given a game last night. Many fans are still trying to work out what the purpose of Denilson actually is and Andrey Arshavin, despite getting two assists last night, still looks bereft of all confidence and struggled his way through the match. At least we know he does have ability and once he finds his game again he will be alright. However, you wonder whether the same can really say the same about the Brazilian. Elsewhere, Emmanuel Eboue showed why he is Bacary Sagna’s understudy rather than a player who is genuinely pushing for a starting line-up place. He looked a little too casual at times when coming on to replace the injured Frenchman.

Such quibbles aside, it was a fantastic night at the Grove. Even though Arsenal were expected to overturn the first-leg deficit, Ipswich made it very hard for them and it took concentration, patience and spirit to break the visitors down. A trip to Wembley next month now awaits and that, as always, will be something to look forward to.

Ipswich certainly provided stiffer opposition than Wigan did on Saturday. The Latics were firmly on the back-foot from the first minute and only a string of saves from goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi kept the score down to a respectable level.

From an Arsenal perspective, whilst the three points were the most important thing, it was actually little disappointing that they did not rack up a bigger score. This was a real opportunity to boost their goal difference. It was a match where the Gunners could have quite easily knocked in seven or eight. Though Al Habsi did well, many of the saves he made came from shots straight at him or at a manageable height. Had Arsenal’s finishing been more clinical, the Wigan man might have had a tougher day.

Still, this was a minor gripe and the three points sees the Gunners tucked in behind United in second place. There is still an awful lot of football to be played in the Premier League this season but Arsenal supporters ought be satisfied with where the team stand right now.

The FA Cup comes around again this coming Sunday with a visit from League One side Huddersfield Town. The Gunners will always share a connection with the Yorkshire club through a mutual history with Herbert Chapman but, on Sunday, any misty-eyed recollections of the past need to be put aside and a job needs to be done. It seems likely that Arsene Wenger will rest some of his key players and it will yet again be an opportunity for some of the second-stringers to find some form and make a case for themselves. Let’s hope they do just that.

Source: David Young, ESPN Soccernet on 26 Jan 11

Nicklas Bendtner clears Arsenal's path to Wembley as Ipswich crumble

A win over visitors from a lower division ought to have met with no more than a nod of recognition for a simple task undertaken competently. The mood at the Emirates was nothing at all like that. It is far too late, with six years gone by since the last trophy, for Arsenal to do anything than revel in a result that sends them to Wembley for a Carling Cup final with Birmingham City or West Ham United.

Ipswich Town, 1-0 winners of the first leg, did much to contribute to the feeling of achievement in the ranks of Arsène Wenger's side. There are exceptions in players such as Gaël Clichy, Cesc Fábregas and Robin van Persie but this is largely a squad still wondering what success with Arsenal would feel like. That is an asset if it means that they meet Carling Cup games with more than a yawn.

The one gesture towards nonchalance by Wenger was eye-catching. Samir Nasri, the outstanding performer in both Arsenal's ranks and perhaps those of the entire Premier League, was not involved in this tie until the 85th minute last night but there had been a tell-tale adjustment. While he was on the bench this time, there had been no place for him at all in the earlier game.

The emergency that would have warranted his early introduction at the Emirates never occurred. There is no blame in that regard for Ipswich. They resisted with both steel and calm. Their new manager, Paul Jewell, could have asked for little more from his team. This side had survived 151 minutes of the tie before they were breached at last. Robin van Persie, with half-a-dozen goals in his past three appearances, was stifled in this return leg.

Ipswich were broken entirely at the Emirates only when Andrey Arshavin put Cesc Fábregas through for the third goal in the 77th minute but the team seldom lost the accuracy or, tellingly, the tempo of its passing. The influence of Jack Wilshere's distribution was also notable and few 19-year-olds can have participated to such an extent over the course of a campaign without looking depleted. He was at work here because his presence matters, particularly when Wenger deemed that it was Nasri who had to be protected.

Any degree of difficulty was increased by early vexation for Arsenal. Gareth McAuley, the visitors' centre-half, went unpunished by the referee, Mark Halsey, in the 10th minute when the official declined to give a penalty for a shove on Fábregas.

There was a different type of blow to Arsenal when the goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny collided with Bacary Sagna while defending a free-kick. The right-back soon had to be replaced by Emmanuel Eboué. That sort of distraction could not stop Arsenal from mounting attacks but they did not always have the effortless poise of the usual showings at the Emirates.

Ipswich somehow did better for a long time here than most of the Premier League visitors. That, of course, did not mean they were at ease. Since the defeat of Arsenal in the first leg Jewell has enjoyed two wins in the Championship. His side is not remotely comparable to Wenger's in talent but they had a morale in the tie that would be a match for anyone.

Glaring opportunities were not as common for Arsenal as anticipated. The most tempting before half-time came in the 35th minute as Wilshere found Fábregas but the midfielder's finish went wide. A mood of contentment remained in the crowd, although the jollity that lay in the news that Manchester United were behind to Blackpool in the Premier League was not to last as Sir Alex Ferguson's team resolved the problems at Bloomfield Road.

Arsenal fans will still realise that Wenger, in contrast to all other managers in England, retains an interest in four tournaments, from the Carling Cup to the Champions League. That is no accident and he has a splendid collection of footballers, yet there is also a gnawing question about their ruthlessness. It was as pertinent as ever while Ipswich maintained their morale.

Arsenal were still losing a tie that was three-quarters of the way to its conclusion but they did bring it under control in the end. Sheer talent made the difference after 61 minutes. Wilshere's excellent pass found Nicklas Bendtner on the left and he cut inside Carlos Edwards before placing a right-footed shot into the far corner of the net.

The tempo as much as the talent was taking its toll of Ipswich. Three minutes later the goalkeeper Marton Fulop could not cope with an Arshavin corner and the centre-half Laurent Koscielny headed home. If that sort of method is not usually associated with Arsenal, it will please Wenger to know that his men had come up with a way of polishing off a dauntless Ipswich.

"For us it is the perfect night," said Wenger. "Our season depends on our performances, our results and our consistency. We do not have to focus on Manchester United or anybody else. We are a team that have taken off a while ago and are consistent now."

Source: Kevin McCarra, The Guardian on 25 Jan 11

Gunners off to Wembley

Arsenal booked their place at Wembley as they finally broke down Ipswich to win 3-0 in the Carling Cup semi-final second leg at the Emirates Stadium.

The Championship club were protecting a slender 1-0 lead from a fortnight ago in Suffolk, and defended resolutely to frustrate the Gunners for more than an hour.

However, Nicklas Bendtner finally ended their resistance with a fine individual goal before Laurent Koscielny headed in a second and captain Cesc Fabregas kept Arsene Wenger's men on course for a first trophy since 2005.

Nine thousand Ipswich fans had made the journey from Suffolk, perhaps more in hope than genuine expectation of a cup shock.

Arsenal, who named a strong side, made a positive start, and Van Persie - who missed the first leg at Portman Road, but had struck six goals in his last three appearances - fired a volley just over the angle from Bacary Sagna's cross.

Fabregas used his programme notes to hit back at claims from Roberto Martinez he had dived to win a penalty during the 3-0 Barclays Premier League win over Wigan here on Saturday.

After 10 minutes, the Spain World Cup winner burst into the Ipswich box and went down under an outstretched arm from Gareth McAuley, but referee Mark Halsey waved play on.

McAuley was then in the thick of the action at the other end, heading over a deep free-kick into the Arsenal danger zone.

There was then a stoppage after Sagna needed treatment following an accidental clash of heads with his keeper Wojciech Szczesny when trying to defend.

The France international was unable to continue with what looked like possibly a broken nose, so Emmanuel Eboue replaced him after 18 minutes.

A clever flick from Van Persie released Fabregas into the right side of the Ipswich area, but his low shot was saved at the near post by Marton Fulop.

Van Persie then went within inches of levelling the tie when his header crashed against the bar from Bendtner's right-wing cross.

Bendtner's shot was blocked after Fulop dropped a free-kick in the six-yard box as the Tractor Boys continued to defend resolutely.

Jack Wilshere chipped the ball through to Fabregas in the left side of the box, but after bringing it down superbly, the skipper could only drill a low shot across the face of goal - after which the travelling fans took great delight in chanting `1-0 to the rugby team' in reference to Fabregas' post-match comments following the first leg.

It was more of the same at the start of the second half, as Arsenal had plenty of possession, but were faced with trying to break down an organised resistance, Ipswich deploying two banks of four men behind the ball.

The pressure, though, was relentless and when the breakthrough finally came after 61 minutes, it was thanks to a moment of real quality from the much-criticised Bendtner.

A quick ball from Wilshere out to the left was brought down superbly by the Dane, who then cut inside with a deft backheel before curling a low shot into the bottom right corner.

Before Ipswich could recover, it was 2-0.

Fulop came to punch a left-wing corner from Arshavin, but got nowhere near the ball as Koscielny headed in from six yards.

Chants of `Wembley' started to ring out around the stadium as the Gunners fans started to dream of an end to their six-season trophy drought.

There was a warning, though, when substitute Jason Scotland broke into the left of the penalty area and his angled shot was saved at the near post.

Fabregas, however, ended any hopes of a comeback after 77 minutes when he slotted home after being played in by Arshavin following a surging 40-yard run.

Source: ESPN Soccernet on 25 Jan 11

Cesc hails Arsenal victory

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas said the fans deserve another trophy after helping the side to a 3-1 aggregate win over Ipswich.
Nicklas Bendtner, Laurent Koscielny and Cesc Fabregas saw off Championship side Ipswich, who had headed to London with dreams of Wembley after their narrow first-leg win.

It is almost six years since Arsenal last won a trophy and Fabregas told the BBC: "It is going to be a very difficult final but we will do our best because I think the fans deserve a trophy again at the Emirates."

"The goal was to get to the final but it was difficult. We have got to congratulate Ipswich for what they've done. We wanted to score an early goal but the key was patience and we did it really well."

Fellow goalscorer Bendtner added: "It's been a little while since I last scored but I made a good run in behind and it was a good finish."

"Ipswich deserve all the credit. They played really well and made it very difficult for us but we always knew we'd have the chances and it was just a case of finishing them off."

"We do everything we can in every match to win a trophy and now we're in one final and we'll do everything we can to try and win it."

Source: ESPN Soccernet on 25 Jan 11

Arsenal finally devour Ipswich with hunger that can end trophy famine

Ipswich offered stiff resistance but Arsenal eventually wore Ipswich Town down to reach their first cup final since 2007

Arsenal's players are on a mission. They care not about the eroded reputation of the Carling Cup. To them, it remains a trophy, which is not something too many of them have won in the colours of their club and it is one they feel can provide not only glory next month but also serve as a catalyst.

We hear seasoned professionals talk at length about the need for a winning mentality and, for all their beauty, the accusation can be levelled at Arsenal that they have not yet found a way to embrace it. This is why they have fallen short in the grandest tournaments in recent years.

The players are conscious of it and the hunger to win something eats away at them. It is epitomised in Cesc Fábregas, the captain, whose frenzied celebration after his goal here would not have looked out of place in the World Cup final. The players have vowed to end the wait this season and, in the second half, the sheer force of their collective eventually wore Ipswich Town down and propelled Arsenal to their first final since 2007.

The scenes at full-time told their own story. Never mind that it was a team from the lower reaches of the Championship who had been overcome. As Curtis Mayfield's Move On Up hit the spot, Arsenal's players embraced and made tentative moves towards a lap of honour. A few of them threw their shirts into the crowd.

West Ham United or Birmingham City will provide the opposition in the final and Arsenal will be the strong favourites. If they can remove the monkey from their backs, they will believe that anything is possible at the business end of the season. "I believe that more than anything, it [winning the Carling Cup] can get the pressure off the team to deliver in the other competitions," said the manager, Arsène Wenger. "We have bigger targets but it can help us achieve our other targets. The players were really up for it. You could see in Cesc's attitude that he is really hungry."

Wenger continued to give the impression that he only wants to win the Carling Cup to shut up those who complain about the club's lack of silverware. He repeated his view that it is more difficult to finish in the Premier League's top four. The league and the Champions League are the trophies that matter to him.

But he caught the mood of the dressing-room here to field an intimidating starting line-up. He picked eight of what currently represents his strongest side and, for good measure, he introduced two more, Samir Nasri and Theo Walcott, as substitutes once the tie was safe. "With those two coming on, I almost think the game should be handicapped," smiled the Ipswich manager, Paul Jewell.

The script was written for Arsenal's superstars to blow away their lowly rivals but Ipswich had not read it. As the travelling support mocked Fábregas's spurious claim that they were a rugby team, Jewell's men demonstrated that they carried no inferiority complex. It was their work-rate and intensity that impressed. For an hour, they held firm.

Andrey Arshavin was once again a major disappointment for Arsenal while Denílson lacked the tempo in his passing, which is a sin in this Arsenal team. Yet driven on by Fábregas, they got the job done. Nicklas Bendtner showed shades of Cristiano Ronaldo with the jink inside that preceded his sumptuous finish while even Arshavin dug out the assist for Fábregas. It was not a vintage Arsenal performance but the result meant everything. The same will be true at Wembley.

Source: David Hytner, The Guardian on 25 Jan 11

Wenger's reaction to the Arsenal 3-0 Ipswich Town match

On how much the win means to his players...
"Of course, the players were really up for it and focused. At the end we needed to be patient. You have to give credit to Ipswich over the two games, they defended with great attitude and great spirit and we needed tonight to be mature, calm, patient and of course not concede a goal. The fact we have stabilised our defensive record helped us to qualify."

"It meant a lot for the squad, for the team, and I must say they deserved to be rewarded because they have an outstanding attitude and spirit. They are on a natural development process and overall I think that in the last four games we scored three goals in every single game and conceded one so we are efficient on both sides. It was important to continue to believe, not to rush our game and not become nervous. We did that very well."

On the desire his team showed...
"This team is hungry for success, I said that many times. You could see that. We kept going, we refused to show any weakness and overall I think an average team against Ipswich being 1-0 down would not have qualified."

On the improvement of Championship teams...
"We played Leeds and Ipswich and in fairness the Championship has improved a lot in the last five, six years. Physically they do not weaken at all, they keep going and when we analyse the physical performance of Ipswich they are at the level of the Premier League, no problem."

On his half-time message...
"I told them to keep our priorities right, that is continue to defend well and not expose ourselves too much by rushing our game. We needed to be calm, patient, even if we had to go into the last 20 minutes. We had to continue to believe in our game."

On putting the Carling Cup on ice for now...
"We want to go for all the competitions, I have said that for a long time. That is one of the big targets. We have learned something from Leeds and Ipswich, and that is you have to be 100 per cent focused because we play Huddersfield on Sunday at the Emirates, so to be capable to focus on that game will be vital for us."

On Nicklas Bendtner's performance...
"We rotate, I rotate from game to game because we play nine games in January and we played eight or nine in December as well. I show them as well that I have confidence in every player, no matter how big the game is. Of course sometimes when a player has not played for a few weeks, when he comes in he is not 100 per cent, but after a few games Bendtner is getting sharper and sharper."

On Bendtner's goal...
"It was a great goal, yes, with a great ball from Wilshere as well. He had an outstanding game tonight. I must say I enjoyed the corner as well because we score so few goals from corners, for me it is fantastic."

On Koscielny's goal celebration...
"Maybe [it means] his girlfriend is pregnant? I don't know. Something like that."

On being aware of Man Utd's win at Blackpool...
"Not really. I thought before the game that they would get three points tonight. I have heard that at 2-0 Blackpool had a penalty turned down. But I see from your smiles that you are not surprised. But for us it was a perfect night. I am convinced that our season depends on our performances, on our results and our consistency, so overall we do not have to focus on Man United or anyone else. We are a team that has taken off a while ago and is consistent now. It is important for us to go from strength to strength. If we are capable of doing that we have a chance. Man United will be a very tough opponent but we have a good chance if we continue going from strength to strength."

On the importance of winning a trophy...
"I don't know. You could see in Cesc's attitude that he's hungry for it and overall I still believe that Cesc is a winner, a born winner who wants to win every day on the training pitch. It has a lot of meaning for him."

On the transfer window...
"Transfer-wise there is no news and I would be surprised if there is any."

Source: Arsenal.com on 25 Jan 11

25 January 2011: Arsenal 3-0 Ipswich Town, The Emirates

Arsenal are in the Carling Cup Final.

Arsène Wenger’s side will play West Ham or Birmingham at Wembley on February 27 after producing a storming comeback in the Semi-Final second leg on Tuesday night.

Ipswich Town had pulled off a famous 1-0 win at Portman Road a fortnight earlier and, for an hour, looked capable of completing the job this evening.

But a wonderful strike from Nicklas Bendtner broke their resistance in the 61st minute and then, almost immediately Laurent Koscielny’s header gave Arsenal the lead in the tie for the first time.

When Andrey Arshavin set up Cesc Fabregas for a third with 13 minutes left the party really began.

This will be Arsenal’s seventh League Cup Final. The first time they won the trophy was 1987, when a young side came from 1-0 down to beat the mighty Liverpool.

That victory kicked-off a run of major honours for George George’s team in the seasons that followed.

There is a similar youth and exuberance about Wenger’s current crop and it has often been argued that one trophy will be followed quickly by many more.

Arsenal have a chance to open the floodgates at the end of February.

Try telling the 60,000 people packed into Emirates Stadium before kick-off that this was ‘only’ the Carling Cup. A trophy was within sight and both sets of fans – red or blue – clearly wanted it.

Wenger’s team selection screamed the same thing. Fabregas and Robin van Persie were retained. The only changes saw Denilson, Bendtner and Arshavin return in place of Alex Song, Samir Nasri and Theo Walcott.

At the heart of defence, Johan Djourou made his 100th appearance for the Club.

Ipswich had properly installed Paul Jewell as manager since the first leg. They arrived with a 1-0 lead, 9,000 vociferous fans and a nothing-to-lose attitude.

That was apparent straight from the kick-off when the ball was rolled back to Grant Leadbitter who tried to beat Wojciech Szczesny from the halfway line. The shot landed on the roof of the net.

Arsenal responded with urgency but nothing of consequence in the opening 15 minutes. Van Persie volleyed wide and Fabregas tumbled in the area after being touched by Gareth McAuley. Referee Mark Halsey waved play on.

Ipswich were more than holding their own at this point. Often Arsenal ‘settle’ after an early goal – this evening they did not get one.

In the 11th minute, Clichy fouled David Norris on the Arsenal left. Leadbitter swung over the free-kick and McAuley nodded over with Szczesny stranded. The keeper had come for the ball but had only collided with Sagna in the process. Both needed lengthy treatment - the keeper recovered and played on, the right back did not. He walked groggily around the touchline and was replaced by Emmanuel Eboue.

This Semi-Final had been labelled ‘a doddle’ ever since it has been made but virtually all the evidence in the first 120 minutes was to the contrary.

Midway through the first half, Arsenal did hit the bar when Van Persie met Bendtner’s cross at the far post.

Just before the half-hour, Marton Fulop dropped a Fabregas free-kick. Bendtner collected the rebound but his shot was blocked.

By now Arsenal were starting to crank up the pressure and, as a consequence, the Ipswich defence started to creak. In the 36th minute, Wilshere clipped a pass into the path of Fabregas who cushioned it with his right and flashed a shot across goal with his left.

In the last seconds of the first half, Van Persie and Bendtner ping-ponged chances across the area as Arsenal sought the lead on the night and parity in the tie.

The home side wore some furrowed brows as they walked down the tunnel at the interval. They had been the better team overall but, as at Portman Road, the defensive organisation of Ipswich had thwarted them.

It was more of the same after the restart. Arsenal were dominant in terms of territory and possession but just could not break down their opponents.

And then, in the 61st minute, Bendtner summoned up a goal of rare quality.

It all started with Wilshere spotting the Dane on the left and finding him with a raking, crossfield ball.

Bendtner took it on the outside of his right foot with such delicacy that the ball fell into his path. However there was still much to do. The 23-year-old raced through, cut inside Carlos Edwards and curled a low shot into the far corner.

It was Bendtner at his best.

Finally the Ipswich defence has been breached and, three minutes later, another followed.

Arshavin fired over a corner from the left and Koscielny thundered home a header at the near post. The visitors had shown Champions League poise all evening but their defending on this occasion was definitely Championship standard.

The dynamics of the game had now changed but Ipswich were not spent yet. Substitute Jason Scotland broke away down the left and forced Szczesny into a low stop at the near post.

However, with 13 minutes left, Arsenal made sure. Fabregas broke forward and fed Arshavin, whose wonderfully weighted return ball allowed the Spaniard to fire home through the legs of Fulop.

Late on, Norris headed over and Djourou nearly nodded past his own keeper. But these were minor skirmishes in a battle that had already been won.

Arsenal are going to Wembley once more.

Source: Richard Clarke, Arsenal.com on 25 Jan 11

Wenger wary of banana skin

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is determined to make sure that his players do not take Ipswich Town lightly in Tuesday night's Carling Cup semi-final.

Ipswich lead 1-0 from the first leg, a game in which Arsenal struggled to deal with the Championship club's long-ball game.

The second leg is back at the Emirates, and Arsenal are expected to overturn the first leg deficit. But after suffering home defeats to some of the Premier League's so-called lesser teams already this season, as well as being held at home by Leeds United in the FA Cup, Wenger knows it is wise not to take victory for granted.

"They will aim to protect their advantage and try to get us on the break with a direct game, as they tried in the first match,'' said Wenger. "If you look at my record I think I have been consistent in my career against teams of lower divisions because I respect them and I know that they can raise their level and raise their game."

"If you are not prepared you have bad surprises. Where we are stronger is defensively as a team, but of course hopefully we can open them up. To go to the final we need to produce a very good game and that is what I am focused on."

"We want to win everything and at the moment on Tuesday is the Carling Cup, so we go for the Carling Cup; Sunday is the FA Cup so we go for the FA Cup."

"At the end of the season we will see whether we have won trophies, but at the moment I think the most important is to live the moment for us and not to be looking forward too much."

"We expect them to play the same way again, but of course we want to be much sharper.''

Ipswich were criticised for their style of play after the first leg, with Gunners skipper Cesc Fabregas saying: "I don't know it if it is long ball or it is a rugby kick, but it worked for them."

Town boss Paul Jewell has since said: "If we could play it at Twickenham we may have a chance. I fancy we could beat them at rugby."

Source: ESPN Soccernet on 25 Jan 11

Match Preview: Arsenal vs Ipswich Town

Arsenal are on the cusp of a Cup Final.

In a sense, beating Ipswich in the Carling Cup Semi-Final second leg on Tuesday night will take Arsène Wenger back to where it all began.

His last Wembley Final was back in 1998 when a tumbling Marc Overmars and a clinical Nicolas Anelka secured the latter half of the Club’s second ever ‘double’.

If he had never won another game as manager, Wenger would have always been an Arsenal legend after that. But, of course, since then the Frenchman has built and rebuilt several successful, historic teams.

Yes, he has taken some of them back to Wembley for a few Champions League adventures, the Charity Shield and an FA Cup Semi-Final. Meanwhile Cardiff played host to a couple of trophy lifts.

But a Cup Final at Wembley is special, whatever the brand. And you cannot help feel that winning this season’s Carling Cup is exactly the fillip required by Wenger’s new generation.

Tony Adams, who lifted that FA Cup at Wembley in 1998, told Arsenal TV Online recently that this side just had to “get over the line”, win a trophy and further success would follow. On the eve of the game, his former manager could only concur.

“Yes, of course,” he said. “I believe that if you look at the age of our team, what we have done is absolutely amazing. There is a lot more to come and I feel from game to game we get stronger. We learn from our history every time.”

Arsenal could do with recent history repeating itself on Tuesday. Last week, Wenger’s men outclassed Leeds in an FA Cup Third Round replay at Elland Road after only just salvaging a draw in the original game at Emirates Stadium.

Ipswich arrive with a fully-deserved 1-0 lead from the first leg at Portman Road a fortnight ago. Arsenal only really woke up after Tamas Priskin scored midway through the second half. In the Club’s busiest ever January, perhaps they played wrapped in the security blanket of this second leg but Wenger knows he needs a Leeds-like response against a side with nothing to lose.

“What I liked at Elland Road was that the team had learned from the first game,” he said. “That's why I believe this side has talent, intelligence and hunger. And those are very good ingredients to get over the line this time."

“In the first leg Ipswich were much more solid defensively than us. Don’t forget they had just lost 7-0 against Chelsea but three days later they were good at the back while we were not playing our fluent passing. We were not sharp or quick enough. We expect them to play the same way again but of course we want to be much better this time."

“We play many games so maybe, in the same way, we eased off a little bit in that first game against Leeds. Then we realised we were up against it when we went to Leeds. We had to come out with a top-class performance and we did. Credit to the players for that and I am confident the players will have the same response on Tuesday night.”

Wenger intends to treat this as a Premier League game. He’ll make four or five changes but all the stars should be in the squad.

Theo Walcott, Cesc Fabregas, Johan Djourou and Samir Nasri passed fitness tests on Monday after suffering minor bumps and bruises in the 3-0 win against Wigan. Sebastien Squillaci, Abou Diaby and perhaps Tomas Rosicky should be back at the weekend.

Ipswich are 19th in the Championship and staring a relegation fight straight in the face. They also ‘boast’ one draw and five defeats in their last six away games.

But you could have trotted out similar statistics in the first leg and yet they raised their game. Having dispensed with Roy Keane, Ian McParland was in the dug-out at Portman Road that night. It was his only game in charge as incoming manager Paul Jewell was sitting in the stands. He has since taken full charge.

“He is a very assured, intelligent man and I think he is a good choice for Ipswich,” remarked Wenger. “He's a manager who has done well everywhere he has worked.”

Despite the change, the 61-year-old believes Ipswich will stick to the same long-ball style that unsettled his side at Portman Road.

“I think their approach will be similar,” said Wenger. “They will protect their advantage by trying to get us on the break with a direct game.

“But we’ll respect them. If you look at my record I think I have been consistent in my career against teams of lower divisions because I respect them and I know that they can raise their game.

“If you are not prepared you have bad surprises. We are stronger defensively as a team and hopefully we can open them up as well.”

It could be a huge night at Emirates Stadium. Not just because it could herald Arsenal’s first cup final of any sort since 2007 but because a victory would inject some history into their ‘new’ home.

There have been many major matches at Emirates and many significant victories but, except for the Champions League Semi-Final of 2009, nothing could ever be decisive. And that night, two early goals from Manchester United made for an excruciating final hour for the home fans.

Victory on Tuesday will not be a success in itself but it will give Arsenal a chance to grab a little of that rare and precious commodity on February 27.

* This tie will be decided on Tuesday night. If the aggregate scores are level at 90 minutes, then extra time will be played. After 120 minutes, away goals will count double but, if the teams are still level, then the Finalist will be determined via a penalty shoot-out.

Source: Richard Clarke, Arsenal.com on 25 Jan 11

Andrey Arshavin registers hazy on Arsenal's Carling Cup barometer

The Russian is an artist, not an artisan, but supporters have begun to ask questions about his attitude

Whichever way you dress it up, there is something of a back-handed compliment in being selected by Arsène Wenger for a cup tie, particularly when it is the Carling Cup, a trophy that the Arsenal manager does not value but seems to consider this season as a means to silence those who moan about the club's lack of silverware.

Andrey Arshavin did not join Arsenal in the winter of 2009 ahead of a clutch of European powerhouses to chase glory in England's second-tier knockout competition and when he steps out to face Ipswich Town in the Carling Cup semi-final second-leg at the Emirates Stadium tonight, the forward could be forgiven for harbouring mixed feelings.

The tournament has tended to provide a barometer of the progress of the club's young guns, not to mention an opportunity for the A-listers to put their feet up, but it is charting Arshavin's fall. His display in the 1-0 first-leg defeat at Portman Road was a low point in what has been a desperately disappointing six weeks or so for him.

For the first time in his Arsenal career, Arshavin finds himself on the outside looking in when Wenger picks his strongest XI for the Premier League and supporters have begun to ask questions about his attitude. There has long been the feeling inside the dressing room that Wenger has indulged the Russia captain, absolving him of the responsibility to track back and, to borrow a phrase, put a shift in for the team. Even in small-sided training matches, Arshavin can appear disdainful of defensive duties.

Wenger recognises Arshavin's genius. It was the reason that he broke from his habits and lavished £15m on an established talent in the middle of a season. He knows that the 29-year-old can stand a game on its head with one explosive burst or incision. Arshavin is an artist, not an artisan.

But when he misfires, as he has done lately, he can be open to criticism. The tipping point came in the 1-0 defeat at Manchester United on 13 December, when he was so dreadful that Wenger resolved to drop him for the next game, at home to Chelsea. Theo Walcott came in, he scored one goal and made another, the team won 3-1 and he has since been Wenger's first choice. Only when the manager rotated wholesale at Wigan Athletic during the busy festive period has Arshavin started a league fixture.

Arshavin's body language is sometimes held up for scrutiny and the conclusions drawn by the armchair psychologists are not always favourable. In some respects, he is of a similar ilk to Manchester United's Dimitar Berbatov or Tottenham Hotspur's Roman Pavlyuchenko, Arshavin's compatriot and Harrods shopping partner. When things are not going well, a languid style, rightly or wrongly, is normally the focus of dissatisfaction.

Arshavin has found himself supplanted, in terms of standing at the club, by Samir Nasri, who is in the form of his life and looks a decent bet to sweep the Player of the Year awards. Nasri has arguably become the player that Arshavin was, a sharp and direct creative force yet with greater goal threat, and Wenger might enjoy pointing out that the 23-year-old Frenchman is merely fulfilling the potential that he saw in him, thereby endorsing his general policy on the transfer market.

The present situation does not fit with Arshavin's world view or his thoughts on where he ought to reside therein. Arshavin is famously self-confident and outspoken; this is the man who did not think twice last season about publicising his "dream" of joining Barcelona – even Wenger had to tell him to button it – while a Russian news agency has dined out on bringing his maverick comments from east to west.

Arshavin will not lose faith in his ability. Why should he? And he will always be able to count on Wenger's support. "I think that physically, he was quite sharp at Leeds [in the 3-1 FA Cup replay win last Wednesday], the sharpest I have seen him for a while so he looks to me that he is coming back to a normal level," Wenger said.

"Maybe he lacks a bit of confidence because he plays less but, overall, I think his numbers since the start of the season are good. He has gone through a difficult patch in the last month but now he looks to me that he is on the way up."

It would surprise nobody if Arshavin were to flick the switch against Ipswich and inspire his team towards Wembley. At the same time, though, few would doubt the need for such a performance.

Source: David Hytner, The Guardian on 25 Jan 11

Arsenal will bounce back from Ipswich defeat, says Arsène Wenger

Arsène Wenger accepts football is very much a confidence game, but has every belief Arsenal can deliver the required performance to bounce back from their midweek Carling Cup defeat at Ipswich with victory at West Ham tomorrow.

Wenger openly admits the Gunners were well below par as they went down 1-0 at the Championship club on Wednesday night, despite having selected a strong side.

And while Arsenal still have the second leg to turn the tie round, there will be little room for error at Upton Park if they are to keep up with the Premier League leaders Manchester United.

"You think we are all arrogant, confident people, but when you do not have success for a while, the doubt creeps in quickly. It is about belief," Wenger said.

"Kenny Dalglish has been in football all his life, and if he speaks about that, it is really the truth. We have belief, yes. We are on a good run in the Premier League, we believe in our strengths; that is why it is always important to respond strongly to disappointments."

Arsenal could reduce the gap at the top to a single point as United are not in action until Sunday afternoon, when they are at Tottenham.

Wenger will not settle for another "off night" at Upton Park.

"We are of course sorry [for defeat at Ipswich] and we want to put things right in the second leg. We had a completely average performance," he said. "If you play like that at West Ham you will lose. We will not play like that at West Ham and we want to win at West Ham.

"What is important for us is we go to West Ham and expect them to be up for it and for us to be prepared mentally. It is a Premier League game and it is a derby," added Wenger. "This season the Premier League has been very tight in every game and so we expect us to be completely produce a top-level performance to win the game, that is what we want to achieve."

Wenger is in the market for cover at the heart of defence, with Sébastien Squillaci and Thomas Vermaelen still injured.

The Arsenal manager, though, rejected the suggestion his team are a soft touch at the back, despite Tamas Priskin's winner at Portman Road coming from a long ball through the heart of his side's defence.

"I have seen many games where it is the achilles heel of any team – we have to deal with that and we wanted to deal with that at Ipswich," said Wenger, who refused to be drawn on comments made by the captain Cesc Fábregas concerning the opposition's "rugby" style tactics.

"That was the only problem we faced and they did that in a consistent way – we had 70% of the ball and when you have that you want to create more than we did."

The West Ham manager, Avram Grant, continues to find his position under scrutiny, despite having produced some decent results in the past few weeks, which included winning their Carling Cup semi-final first leg against Birmingham.

Wenger accepts sometimes a manager can find themselves in a no-win situation, both on and off the field.

"You have short-term results, have you lost the last two or three games? That immediately puts pressure on the managers. Then you have the problem that is the club in a position where it is expected to be?" said Wenger.

"When the recent results and the situation in the club are both not working together, are both negative, then that usually puts people who are responsible under pressure.

"There is also a third thing which is completely new in England, and that is the change in ownership. You can also sometimes be under pressure because you are not necessarily the choice of the new owners."

Source: Press Association, The Guardian on 14 Jan 11

Pathetic at Portman Road

If Leeds gave fair warning about the dangers of complacency and dropping your level of application when playing lower league teams in the Cup, it was not one that was heeded by the Gunners.

On Saturday, Arsenal had a let-off. Last night they were deservedly punished by Ipswich in the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final.

Yes, believe it or not, it was a semi-final. One step away from Wembley and the chance to, you know, actually win something. You might have thought that this would have negated the need for any sort of team-talk. The players, professionals that they are, would rise to the occasion and dispatch Ipswich in the same ruthless manner that Chelsea did at the weekend in the FA Cup. What we actually got was one of the most flaccid, toothless and woeful performances of the season - and there have been quite a few similarly lame displays to compare it to.

Credit must be given to Ipswich. After a 7-0 drubbing by Chelsea at the weekend, they bounced back in the best way possible. Though Arsenal made them look better than they were, they defended doggedly, created more chances than their visitors and took their opportunity when it came along. They thoroughly deserved their victory and fair play to them for that.

Arsenal on the other hand were pathetic. They held the majority of possession and yet failed to turn it into much in the way of goalscoring efforts. There were too many misplaced passes and too many players looking completely off the boil. There was no cutting edge up front and the defence was slack and disorganised.

It would be charitable to call it “an off-night” - which it what Arsene Wenger tried to claim it was. More honestly, it was a lazy and complacent display for which there is very little defence. They players seemed to have the mentality that they only had to turn up to win. How wrong they were.

As infuriating as last night’s performance was, at least there is a chance for the team to make amends in the second leg. Even trailing by one goal, they really have no excuses not to get the job done and get themselves to the final. The real worry is how often they seem to let themselves down this way. Two weeks ago they were beating Chelsea in one of their finest and most determined displays of the year so far and now they are a goal down at the halfway-stage in the Carling Cup semi-final and, on Saturday, were clinging by their fingernails to a place in the FA Cup - both to lower division opposition.

It almost defies analysis as to how the team can be so good some weeks and so truly awful the next. Pundits, commentators, bloggers and messageboard posters can waste a million words on trying to work it out but the people who really have to get to the bottom of it is Arsene Wenger and the players. They are supposed to be professionals. Well, this season, it is now long overdue that they starting acting like professionals and sorted themselves out.

There is still much to play for, but unless Arsenal can remedy their extreme levels of inconsistency, they will finish empty-handed in May - again.

Source: David Young, ESPN Soccernet on 13 Jan 11

Five things we learned from Ipswich Town v Arsenal in the Carling Cup

Arsène Wenger's wait for a trophy may well continue while the team's defensive frailties remain

Perhaps this competition is not Arsenal's to lose after all
Arsenal were sloppy, unable to impose their slick style for long periods and frustrated by their hosts' urgency and industry. Arsène Wenger wore a thunderous expression as his team spluttered, with the home side's narrow victory utterly merited. The Premier League players will tell themselves that Ipswich will be more vulnerable at the Emirates, but they should acknowledge that an opportunity to take the initiative in the tie has been surrendered. The club's first silverware in six years will be denied them if the complacency that seemed to set in here is maintained. It was as if they had expected a walkover against a team who were humiliated at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Certainly, the visitors' coaching staff demanded more than this disjointed display. They cannot be this obliging again.

Arsenal's issues at centre-half can be exposed even by Championship attacks
This was not the occasion to judge the real quality of Laurent Koscielny and Johan Djourou, the only fit senior centre-backs available to Wenger, but it did provide another reminder of their frailties. Just after the half-hour mark, Carlos Edwards' deep corner was headed back into the six-yard box by Darren O'Dea and over the bar by Gareth McAuley with visiting defenders grounded. They were exposed whenever passes were launched upfield after the interval, Tamas Priskin spreading panic. In the absence of Thomas Vermaelen and Sébastien Squillaci, who already felt like a stopgap signing, strengthening is urgently required. Wenger is apparently considering the likes of Gary Cahill, Christopher Samba and Matthew Upson. Progress has to be made on that front if this team is truly to challenge.

Andrey Arshavin's dip in form continues
The midfielder is unrecognisable from the player who excelled for Russia at Euro 2008, and who initially thrilled the Premier League following his mid-season move to Arsenal. Gone is ability to bamboozle back-tracking defenders with his close-control and dribbling in the area. Instead, he seems shorn of self-belief. He was sent through early in the second half by Cesc Fábregas's beautifully weighted pass, but lacked the conviction to bear down on goal and, despite being away from McAuley, could only slice the effort high and wide. At times, marooned out on the left, he cut an isolated figure as the game passed him by. Life on the periphery does not suit him.

The Premier League beckons for Connor Wickham
The 17-year-old has yet to score this season but continues to attract the scouts, with this a showcase of his considerable potential. Asked to fill in on the left of a five-man midfield, particularly when Arsenal were in possession, Wickham impressed with his industry and delivery, both with his feet and the long throws arrowed into the area. He tracked back to thwart the erratic Emmanuel Eboué when he could, showed strength to hold off challenges when he ventured infield, bursts of pace across the turf, and power in his shot. He is raw but could be brilliant. Harry Redknapp was due to attend this match. He will have returned to Tottenham Hotspur intrigued by the gem Ipswich have uncovered.

The task awaiting Paul Jewell is perhaps not quite so daunting as it had seemed
Jewell took Marcus Evans' call last Thursday, hours after Roy Keane had been sacked, and had agreed to return to club management by the time his new employers were walloped 7-0 at Chelsea. That was their eighth defeat in 11 matches and, in his programme notes, Jewell said they were suffering "a crisis of confidence". Yet, even as he watched from the stands, he will have been impressed by the endeavour, commitment and ability on show. His immediate task will be to haul Town from the relegation scrap, an eminently achievable objective given the calibre of player available to him even if five from the starting line-up have entered the last few months of their current contracts.

Source: Dominic Fifield, The Guardian on 12 Jan 11

Arsenal were 'below par' in all areas at Ipswich, admits Arsène Wenger

Arsène Wenger admitted his Arsenal side lacked spark, sharpness and were below par in "every department" as they succumbed to a 1-0 first leg semi-final defeat at Ipswich Town, though he remains confident his side will still progress to the Carling Cup final.

The home side, struggling in the Championship and hammered 7-0 at Chelsea in the FA Cup on Sunday, have secured a well-merited if narrow lead to take to the Emirates Stadium in a fortnight. Arsenal were exposed defensively and sluggish in attack, unable to make their possession count, to leave their pursuit of a first trophy since 2005 in the balance. "We had no spark and Ipswich were sharper," said Wenger. "I'm disappointed and the players are as well. We had a lot of the ball but didn't make a lot of it, while Ipswich defended with heart and commitment. They showed a team can have 70% of the ball and still lose. We were not sharp, not creative, and had an off night.

"Every single pass was a problem from the start. We rely a lot on our sharp and crisp passing, but that was always a problem tonight. In every department we were below our usual level. In the second half we looked more vulnerable defensively and I'll put that down to fatigue. But I believe we'll turn it round. We got a good warning tonight ... and we will not always be as lacking in creativity as we were this evening."

Ian McParland, the Ipswich caretaker manager who also oversaw the thrashing at Chelsea, is expected to leave the club tomorrow morning when Paul Jewell takes over. "I'll dust myself down and get on with it," McParland said. "My departure's not been confirmed directly, but things will be sorted out in the morning.

"I don't think I'll be going to the second leg, but hopefully I'll have a new job by then. I guess they might give me a free ticket. The lads sweated blood. They were fantastic and showed so much character bouncing back from Sunday's game. I'm dead proud of them."

Ipswich now have a chance of reaching their first domestic cup final since 1978, when they beat Arsenal to win the FA Cup and the defender Damien Delaney said: "Arsenal weren't at their best but, to stay in the tie, we had to be above our best and pray to God that they would be somewhere below average if we were going to get close to them. That's what happened.Now we'll go and park the bus in front of the goal at the Emirates, like [José] Mourinho once said. We've got something to hold on to. They'll be breaking out all the big guns trying to do well after not winning any trophies for so long. But we can have another huge performance in us."

Wenger will continue his attempts to strengthen his defence ahead of that second leg, with interest in the likes of Gary Cahill at Bolton Wanderers and, potentially, West Ham United's Matthew Upson to be pursued. "But we didn't lose that game because of our central defenders," he added. "We are short because we only have two centre-halves, but it's too early to say we'll definitely get someone in. But, as a team, we did not perform tonight."

Source: Dominic Fifield, The Guardian on 12 Jan 11

Tamas Priskin gives Ipswich first-leg lead over Arsenal in Carling Cup

The glory of this victory cannot be taken from Ipswich Town and it is impossible too for Arsenal, at the very least, to free themselves from the inconvenience of defeat in the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final. Arsène Wenger now has to commit his squad to the full in the return leg, unless he is prepared to let a small inconvenience turn into another wounding embarrassment.

The side he sent out at Portman Road had looked far from flimsy. It is a tribute to the victors that they excelled after the weekend's 7-0 evisceration by Chelsea in the FA Cup. In the process, the newly-appointed Ipswich manager Paul Jewell is associated with instant glory, even if Ian McParland, who is expected to leave the club, was actually in charge for this game. If this was not Jewell's moment, no such thought would have been gnawing at him in the euphoria of the full-time whistle.

Everyone with an attachment to Ipswich would have been revelling in the thought of the single goal. A pass by Colin Healy freed Tamas Priskin to burst beyond Johan Djourou and finish impeccably in the 78th minute. They might have had another through Carlos Edwards on the break but Ipswich's goalkeeper Marton Fulop had also pulled off good saves to secure the win.

Wenger would have supposed that his selection had all the know-how and technique needed for this encounter. It would surely dismay him that Samir Nasri, who had the evening off, was missed so badly. Arsenal's angst was, all the same, far less absorbing than the endeavour and determination of Ipswich. They had been sent out in a 4-5-1 formation, but after making a careful start they did not huddle in their own area.

The pressure they applied would ultimately expose the core of an Arsenal defence weakened by injuries and the purchase of a centre-half does seem likely, but that piece of trouble cannot excuse the subdued nature of the attacking that lasted for too much of the night. The flurries were delayed and insufficient in any case. The visitors did seem tired, but it is an explanation that must be shunned by Wenger since he dare not issue excuses for any future disappointments.

The quick breakthrough for Arsenal proved impossible. The Ipswich formation took no one by surprise and that five-man midfield, with a promising attacker like Connor Wickham called upon at first to cover on the left, was sensible. Ipswich detached themselves from the memory of misery at Stamford Bridge. The side never cowered here and, with 14 minutes gone, Priskin, a menace to Arsenal who has not always been in favour at Ipswich, had cut inside the suspect Emmanuel Eboué to put his shot a yard beyond the far post.

Arsenal themselves had a trace of the expected sheen, but lacked focus in and around the goalmouth. It was hard to know whether to blame the forward Nicklas Bendtner or sympathise with him over a lack of assistance. The match was a synopsis of Arsenal's campaign. The finesse and technical accomplishment were obvious, but so, too, was the disinclination to capitalise.

As three defeats in the League at the Emirates show, this team excels at making difficulties for itself. The means had appeared to be present. However, Andrey Arshavin had once again been muted and not even Cesc Fábregas could produce a cutting edge. The second-half here called for a higher intensity that was not be reached.

For his part, Jewell was witnessing a heartening fixture, with a night of this sort galvanising Ipswich to the extent that there had been half-chances, with Gareth McAuley heading over in the 33rd minute. The side was finding an enjoyment in the tie that was not available to the visitors. Mark Kennedy ruffled Arsenal with his breaks from midfield and as time passed the sense grew that that Wenger would be unable to treat the return leg as a formality. Ipswich, on the other hand, were increasingly suited to the tie.

The omens were clear. A long ball in the 69th minute came very close to releasing Priskin, although Djourou did get the ball away for a corner. At least Arsenal persevered following the goal and Fulop did well to throw up an arm and parry Theo Walcott's attempt to clip the ball over him from an angle.

It was an evening that spoke well of the tournament. The prominent managers may not make it a priority, but someone like Sir Alex Ferguson, for instance, would not have anticipated a 4-0 defeat at West Ham when there were several familiar players in the Manchester United party. Arsenal did not have to endure anything so galling, but the next encounter with Ipswich will be treated with complete seriousness.

Source: Kevin McCarra, The Guardian on 12 Jan 11

Priskin secures shock win

Tamas Priskin fired Championship strugglers Ipswich to a deserved win over a strong Arsenal side in Wednesday night's Carling Cup semi-final first leg at Portman Road.

The Tractors boys had been thrashed 7-0 at Chelsea in their FA Cup third-round tie on Saturday after axing Roy Keane. However, there was to be no repeat tonight as under the guidance of Ian McParland, with new boss Paul Jewell watching from the stands, a second-half strike from Priskin gave the Suffolk side reward for their endeavours and a slender advantage which to defend at Emirates Stadium in a fortnight's time.

Arsenal had only just scraped a 1-1 draw in their home FA Cup clash against Leeds on Saturday through a last-minute penalty from captain Cesc Fabregas. Arsene Wenger had warned against a repeat performance, and he looked to have taken no chances by naming a strong XI which included Spain World Cup winner Fabregas as well as England internationals Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere.

However, once more the Premier League title challengers failed to hit top gear and were fortunate not to lose by a bigger margin.

Both teams made positive starts, with half-chances for Walcott and Fabregas, while Ipswich forward Connor Wickham, a reported Arsenal target, was also lively on a slick playing surface.

After 14 minutes, the hosts broke quickly as Priskin received the ball up on the left before cutting inside and unleashing a 20-yard curling effort which flashed just wide.

Arsenal continued to probe, with Walcott drilling his shot across the six-yard box. Despite all of their positive build-up, just like on Saturday, the Premier League side lacked a cutting edge in the final third.

Slowly Ipswich worked their way back into the tie, forcing a couple of corners to give the capacity Suffolk crowd a lift. Wojciech Szczesny flapped at a ball into the six-yard box as Gareth McAuley headed over, before Ipswich captain David Norris was inches away from connecting with Wickham's left-wing cross.

The home fans were on their feet when Priskin netted an acrobatic overhead kick after 42 minutes, but celebrations were immediately cut short by an offside flag.

Walcott skipped into the area at the start of the second half, before tripping over the ball - which drew ironic cheers from the home fans after the Arsenal forward had admitted to diving against Leeds.

Fabregas chipped a pass through to Arshavin down the left, but the diminutive Russian could not control his shot, firing an angled volley high and wide.

Ipswich, though, refused to lay down and continued to take the game to their illustrious visitors, Wickham again catching the eye with some powerful runs.

Mark Kennedy robbed Fabregas and, with Szczesny off his line, tried an audacious 35-yard lob, but the recovered quickly to make a comfortable save.

Emmanuel Eboue was then caught in possession by Priskin, but recovered to block the Ipswich striker's goalbound shot.

Just after the hour, somehow Arsenal survived when a long ball caught out Koscielny.

For a moment Priskin was clean through on goal, however Johan Djourou made a brilliant interception to knock the ball over his own crossbar from inside the six-yard box.

As the rain lashed down on Portman Road, Arsenal continued to give the ball away cheaply. Gibbs cut inside from the left and fired a shot wide from 20 yards, before, after 67 minutes, Wenger made a change when Alex Song replaced Wilshere and Marouane Chamakh came on for the ineffective Nicklas Bendtner.

Arsenal immediately looked to raise the tempo, Fulop making a smart save at his near post after Walcott had been played in by Fabregas.

The Arsenal skipper then put Gibbs' cross over from four yards out off his thigh after Chamakh had just failed to connect.

Ipswich finally made the breakthrough after 78 minutes when Colin Healy's through-ball split the Arsenal centre-backs and Priskin got ahead of Djourou to calmly slot into the bottom right corner.

Wenger immediately sent on pacy Mexican forward Carlos Vela, replacing Arshavin.

The Gunners pressed forward, with Fulop coming out to block Walcott before Szczesny saved from Carlos Edwards at his near post and the Tractor Boys closed out for a famous victory.

Source: ESPN Soccernet on 12 Jan 11

Wenger's reaction to the Ipswich Town 1-0 Arsenal match

On whether he was disappointed with the performance…
I am, and the players are as well. We had a lot of the ball but didn’t make a lot of it and Ipswich defended with heart, intelligence and gave us problems on the counter attack. They have shown that you can have 70 per cent of the ball and lose games. You have to give a lot of credit to Ipswich, they defended well. We were not sharp, not creative and looked vulnerable defensively.

On whether Arsenal were complacent…
I don’t think so, I think we had an off night. You could see from the start, every single pass was a problem. We rely a lot on our sharp, crisp passing and that was always a problem tonight.

On whether Ipswich deserved to win…
Ipswich won, you have to congratulate them. They did fight for their win, you can say that.

On how his team defended…
As a team we didn’t have the wanted performance tonight. I would say in every department we were below our usual level. It would be unfair to only put the blame on the defenders tonight because I believe in every single department we were not at our usual level.

On Ipswich’s long balls…
When you play in one half, the long ball has 50 yards to be dangerous. I felt we got more and more problems as the game went on. We looked in control in the first half but in the second half we looked much more vulnerable defensively, I put that down to fatigue.

On whether his side can turn it around in the second leg…
I believe we will turn it around but we got a good warning tonight that we have to produce a different performance.

On the defensive situation…
We lost the game tonight because we didn’t play as well as we can, that will be the main lesson. At the moment we have only two central defenders, but that doesn’t explain our defending tonight.

On speculation regarding Matthew Upson…
I do not want to speak about one particular name.

On his plans for getting a defender in…
I am disappointed by our defeat tonight. It’s very early to say definitely that we will get somebody. What is important for us is that we play now nine games in January and you can have sometimes a game where you are not as sharp as you would like to be. It is important that we focus on our next game.

Source: Arsenal.com on 12 Jan 11

12 January 2011: Ipswich Town 1-0 Arsenal, Portman Road

Arsenal will have to overturn a 1-0 deficit against Ipswich at Emirates Stadium on January 25 in order to reach the Carling Cup Final.

The Championship side pulled off a surprise victory in the Semi-Final first leg on Wednesday thanks to a breakaway goal from Tamas Priskin. The Hungarian striker collected Colin Healy’s pass and slotted home 12 minutes from time to send Portman Road into delirium.

In the dying minutes, the home side might have doubled their advantage when Wojciech Szczesny saved from Carlos Edwards.

While far from their best, Arsenal did have chances. Cesc Fabregas sliced over from close-range just before the goal and ‘keeper Martin Fulop made two fine saves from Theo Walcott.

The visitors started and ended the game well but, in between, Ipswich posed the greater danger.

Arsenal’s second-leg task is hardly insurmountable but if the Suffolk side can muster the same effort and endeavour at Emirates Stadium, then Arsène Wenger’s men will have a task on their hands.

It is all set up for a cracker.

As expected, Wenger put out a strong team. In fact, with the exception of Bacary Sagna (suspended), Sebastien Squillaci (hamstring), Robin van Persie, Gael Clichy, Tomas Rosicky, Samir Nasri and Lukasz Fabianski (all rested), it was first-choice squad.

OK, that is half-a-side of omissions but the Carling Cup has been the preserve of squad members and youngsters at Arsenal for the best part of a decade. This season it has been different.

Szczesny kept his place in goal and Nicklas Bendtner was the lone frontman supported by Andrey Arshavin and Walcott. Denilson and Jack Wilshere were the defensive midfielders with Fabregas pushing further forward.

Paul Jewell took the applause of the crowd before kick-off.

On Monday, the ex-Wigan manager had been officially appointed as the successor to Roy Keane. He was not actually taking the team tonight but the sense of change could only help the 'Tractor Boys'.

Not that it appeared to be the case in the opening stages. Ipswich had been beaten 7-0 at Chelsea on Sunday and Arsenal tried to heap on further misery in the early minutes.

The visitors poured forward, particularly via Walcott on the right. However, despite their superiority, they did not create anything of substance. In fact, their the best effort came in the 10th minute when Fabregas set up Denilson to let fly from just outside the area. His drive was blocked.

Jaime Peters responded with a similarly stymied shot and then Priskin fooled Johan Djourou on the left before curling a wicked shot towards the far corner. The effort drifted just wide.

As the half wore on, Arsenal ran out of impetus. As their territorial dominance subsided, Ipswich started to create chances.

On the half-hour, Darren O’Dea returned an Edwards cross into the area for Gareth McAuley to nod over with Szczesny stranded.

In the 39th minute, Connor Wickham showed a flash of his quality by whipping in a delicious cross. Unfortunately for Ipswich, it was just too high for David Norris.

Just before the break, the home side had the ball in the net but Priskin was clearly offside before he crashed a wonderful overhead kick past Szczesny.

In the opening moments of the second half, Fabregas clipped another pass over the Ipswich defence for Arshavin. The ball would not come down for the Russian, who hacked his effort horribly wide.

But Ipswich came roaring back. Wickham outpaced Emmanuel Eboue on the left and Arsenal had to work hard to eventually clear his cross. Then Fabregas gave the ball to Mark Kennedy in the centre circle but Szczesny was alive to his long-range chip.

Fabregas and Bendtner played a one-two on the edge of the area but the Spaniard tried to find Wilshere rather than shoot.

On the hour, Priskin worried Eboue, the final covering defender, into a mistake and went clear for a moment. But the Ivorian recovered to smother his shot sufficient for Szczesny to clear up the danger.

The Hungarian striker had been a thorn in Arsenal’s side all night and, in the 63rd minute, he had his clearest chance to score a legitimate goal. Peters’ long clearance flew over Laurent Koscielny and Priskin went clear. The ball would not settle for the former Watford player and Djourou rushed in to bundle the ball over the bar. However it was a heart-in-mouth moment for Arsenal.

By this time, the game was stretched. It was hardly end-to-end, neither attack was sharp enough for that this evening, however neither midfield had much of a stranglehold either.

Just after Kieran Gibbs cut in and fired wide, Wenger made changes. Marouane Chamakh for Bendtner, Alex Song for Wilshere.

Almost immediately, Arsenal looked brighter. Fabregas stabbed Walcott through on the right of the area and the England winger lifted a goalbound shot over Fulop only for the keeper to thrust out a crucial hand to push the ball behind.

Fifteen minutes from time, Song put Gibbs into space on the left and his cross flew over Chamakh to a surprised Fabregas six yards out. The ball hit the Spaniard’s knee and flew agonisingly over the bar.

It was Arsenal’s best sight of goal all night and so it was kind of ironic that Ipswich scored immediately afterwards.

Healy angled a ball through for Priskin to collect. He managed to hold off Djourou and slid his shot into the far corner.

Portman Road was bouncing. Arsenal were stung.

In the minutes that followed Fulop made stoic saves from a Fabregas drive and Walcott’s dink.

But Ipswich may have stolen a second two minutes from the whistle when an unmarked Edwards raced clear on the right and Szczesny stood up well to repel his shot at the near post.

Arsenal tried to salvage the situation as the seconds ticked away. Now they will have to retrieve this tie at Emirates Stadium.

Source: Richard Clarke, Arsenal.com on 12 Jan 11

Wenger hails Henry influence

Arsene Wenger has praised the influence of Thierry Henry on the Arsenal dressing room as they prepare to bounce back in the Carling Cup semi-final against Ipswich.

Arsenal manager Wenger insists his side will heed the warning they received against another Championship club in Leeds in the FA Cup on Saturday, when a last-minute Cesc Fabregas penalty was required to force a replay in their third round tie.

Gunners legend Henry is training with his old club to prepare for his new Major League Soccer season with New York and Wenger believes his presence will help lift his players to another level as they chase silverware on four fronts.

"We are happy to speak with him every day," Wenger said of his former skipper. "He is in the dressing room with the players and they are happy to have him back. He sees as well how much they have evolved since he left the club. He can help them to have confidence. He is a very intelligent boy who has massive experience.

"He can help the players in the dressing room and that is what he does. But we are happy to help him to get fit and he is happy to be here. He was one of the greatest players this club has ever had and has done a huge service to this club. The only way we can pay him back is always to be welcoming, as we are with all our former players when they want to get fit."

Wenger accepts Ipswich have "nothing to lose'' in Wednesday night's first leg at Portman Road. Although Arsenal are expected to comfortably dispose of the Tractor Boys, who earlier this week appointed Paul Jewell as Roy Keane's replacement, Wenger insists his Premier League title chasers can take nothing for granted as they aim to stay on course for Wembley and a first trophy since 2005.

"We have been warned,'' Wenger said. "We will certainly be on our toes going to Ipswich. Our last game has shown that against a Championship team we must be completely up for it and focused from the first minute on if we don't want to be surprised.

"In the Premier League there are one or two players standing out where the club has spent a lot of money. In the Championship you face the team as a compact unit who is ready to fight against you, and I think that is what we will face against Ipswich. The pressure is on Arsenal and they have nothing to lose. That is part of being at Arsenal to deal with that and I accept that completely.''

Wenger will again rotate his squad but the likes of Laurent Koscielny, Jack Wilshere and Robin van Persie could all be back having sat out the FA Cup tie.

"Maybe we were a bit unbalanced offensively in our team and maybe we have to be a bit more cautious in the structure of our team,'' Wenger said. "I see the Carling Cup as a possibility of a trophy and that's how we will approach the semi-final. What is in the players' brain is a desire to win. Trophies are the consequence of your performance and the quality of your display.''

Source: ESPN Soccernet on 12 Jan 11

Match preview: Ipswich Town vs Arsenal

Arsenal will take a little extra baggage on the bus to Ipswich Town on Wednesday night – pressure.

For years, Arsène Wenger has used the Carling Cup as a finishing school for his younger players. Roughly half of the first-team squad made their debuts in the competition, another handful have used it to cut their footballing teeth.

As an education, the policy has clearly worked. But in terms of trophies, Arsenal have been the ‘nearly men’ of the event. The last eight seasons have brought four Semi-Final appearances, three Quarter-Finals and one Final - but no silverware.

To many it did not really matter because these were the only Arsenal games where you arrived in hope rather than expectation. You did not need to reach your destination, it was all about the journey.

However Wenger’s been mapping a different course this season. A bigger squad has allowed him to play a stronger side throughout the Carling Cup this term. As a result, they have beaten Tottenham and Newcastle on their own grounds then Wigan at Emirates Stadium – scoring ten goals in the process. Arsenal were playground kids last year. Not anymore.

It leaves them facing a Semi-Final against a struggling Ipswich team that jettisoned their manager last week and were hammered 7-0 on Sunday. Arsenal even have the luxury of the second leg at home in a fortnight. Wenger’s men are odds-on to win the trophy let alone see off the Suffolk side. Therefore, at Portman Road, they will have a familiar burden to bear.

“The pressure is on Arsenal and [Ipswich] have nothing to lose,” the Frenchman admitted to Arsenal TV Online. “It is part of being at Arsenal to deal with that and I accept that completely.

“We have qualified for the Semi-Final, we are two games away from Wembley and we do not want now to go out or to give up. We will play our game to win it.

“They have some key players who cannot play but overall you know what you face against teams who are in the Championship. We saw that against Leeds. You face more a team than any outstanding individual. In the Premier League there are one or two players standing out where the club has spent a lot of money. In the Championship, you face the team as a compact unit who is ready to fight against you, and I think that is what we will face against Ipswich.”

Wenger was not forthcoming over his selection plans. “I invite you to come to the game tomorrow and you will see,” he teased. The only ‘definites’ are that Sebastien Squillaci (hamstring) is out, Bacary Sagna is still suspended and Wojciech Szczesny will continue in goal. The manager also revealed he was considering playing Nicklas Bendtner as a central striker.

“We will continue to rotate from game to game, taking care of our interests and, of course, our targets,” said the 61-year-old. “We will have a strong team at Ipswich.”

The Suffolk side are 19th in the Championship, three points above the relegation places. It is their lowest position of the season and they got there via a paltry run of ten defeats in their last 14 games.

The situation prompted Roy Keane’s dismissal last week. On Monday, Paul Jewell was appointed as his replacement. In the intervening time they shipped seven goals against Chelsea in an FA Cup Third Round tie at Stamford Bridge.

“For a while it was actually very tight,” said Wenger. “In the first half-an-hour they played very well. When a tie like the FA Cup is lost [early] 2-0 or 3-0, it can only get worse for the team. But overall in the first half they played very well. I believe as well that somewhere Ipswich are focused on the Carling Cup more than on the FA Cup.”

Then there is the effect a new appointment can have – even though coach Ian McParland will take the team-talk on Wednesday night.

“Yes of course,” said Wenger. “It happens many times when you play teams that they have a new manager [appointed just] before but, there again, I think he is not in charge against us. However he will be in charge afterwards and we will face him in the second leg.”

Of course, Jewell was manager of Wigan when they knocked out Arsenal in the Carling Cup Semi-Final of 2006. Another occasion in which Wenger’s men were hot favourites.

Connor Wickham is probably the most interesting name on the Ipswich team-sheet right now. Aged just 17, the 6ft 3ins forward has already been capped at Under-21 level and, though mostly a substitute this season, he has started the last two games. The media have suggested Tottenham, Manchester United and Arsenal have all scouted him at some time or other. Just ahead of a direct confrontation, Wenger was reluctant to pick out an individual but, put it this way, he is well aware of his abilities.

“Wickham is one of their star strikers,” said the Arsenal manager. “We know him well, we have seen him many times. He is one of the players who can make a difference.

“But I feel when you play against a team like Ipswich, the danger is more the whole unit that you face, the extra-special level of motivation. Therefore, more than focusing on one individual, I think it's important that you're up to it mentally and ready from the start on. We saw that when Leicester played against Manchester City on Sunday. They won the first set-piece and scored. So it's more that you have to be mentally ready from the first minute on.”

If, as Wenger contests, Leeds was a wake-up call for his side then he’ll demand the requisite respect for Ipswich.

The manager’s change of emphasis, and the kindness of the draw, make this tie a must-win. For once, the Carling Cup will not dismissed when the final assessment is made of Arsenal’s campaign come May. It may carry a weight comparable, or perhaps even greater than, the FA Cup.

Wenger has made this competition important this season and so, having got themselves in such a strong position, it is now important his side win it.

Source: Richard Clarke, Arsenal.com on 12 Jan 11