Well, It Had To Happen One Day

Coming into the 2nd leg of domestic cup tie semifinal against your fiercest rival having drawn the 1st leg, would you put in the first team knowing for sure they will take you to Wembley or stick with a younger bunch who got you there in the first place? It was a conundrum that any manager would like to have as it only means that you have a back-up squad that is capable of challenging for honours on their own.

If Wenger had chosen to start with his first team, it will probably lead to repercussions beyond this season. Young players abroad would not be so keen to move to Arsenal anymore because they know that their chances will be limited. But that was not to be. Traore, Fabianski, Bendtner, Denilson and co all started against the team who has not won anything since before Clinton’s administration.

The match had it all; goals, action, card, fighting and even fighting your own teammates. This was the first time that the young Gunners have frozen in the big occasion. Although the club captain, Gallas and Hleb was there to help out, it was a performance that was a far cry from the norm. Those early goals sunk the young team’s confidence and they never recovered from it.

As the frustration crept in, tempers began to flare even against friends who sit next to each other in the dressing room. Professionally, that kind of petulance and tempers are unforgivable. They should realize that they are being well-paid to play football at the highest level and it is required that they keep their head why doing it. Actions and reaction must be scrutinized before performing it.

It was a concern that Wenger took this issue lightly. If he had resolved it behind the attention of the media then it is a good thing. However, he should never have responded the way he did. It infuriates me that every time something happens with his players, he can’t see it. Yet he could always see where the players need to pass or which channel they should run into. A strict warning and promise of repercussions for the players involved, in front of camera monitors would sit down very well with me.

Disgusted with the result but we’ll live.