Wenger reflects on footballing masterclass

Results

Date	Time	C	Opponent	F	A	R	S
11 Nov	7:45 PM	LC	Wigan Athletic (H)	3	0	Win

After last night's 3-0 win over a strong Wigan Athletic side, manager Arsène Wenger expressed his delight and happiness at the way his young side produced a footballing masterclass to progress to the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup.

Two goals from Jay Simpson and one more from Mexican Carlos Vela eventually broke down the resistance from Wigan and ensured progression to the next round.

Wenger said: "I enjoyed every minute of it because it was a big test for such a young team with many Under-18 players involved.

"I believe we stood up to the test and it was a remarkable combination of desire, energy and quality. From the first to the last minute we looked up for it and were relentless in having a go at Wigan. In the end it was a fantastic win.

"My belief has always been the same; it is just the environment was not exactly the same. I am happy that the people who love this Club are happier [than they were] but I always had the faith in what I do.

"I want to keep them together to see how far they can go. I see them in training and they are good but when you turn up against a Premier League side, that is a different challenge; now I know they can turn up and produce.

"It is interesting going into the Quarter-Final and I will keep them altogether, but you will always need experience. Don't forget the goalkeeper and the two defenders have good experience and they had an important role at important times in the game."

However, Wenger denied that he would be fielding the same starting eleven in the same Premier League fixture against Wigan later in December.

He added: "No! But these boys do surprise everybody because of the mixture of character, commitment and calm under pressure. They always remain calm and always play very good football.

"To play that team in a Premier League game could be tempting but it is difficult to say as the pressure and the environment is different then. What they do on the pitch is no coincidence though."

User Comments

ShifuArsenal

Posted on 12 Nov, 2008 at 04:28 PM - Reply

Fantastic win. I thought Wigan would provide sterner opposition. What that last two games as shown us is that if the team plays with the right determination, commitment and quality they can overcome the best defence's and the physical tactics within the EPL.

zakari A.daniski Ashaka/Gombe/NIGERIA.

Posted on 12 Nov, 2008 at 02:30 PM - Reply

WOOOh mr.arsene u hv done everthing 4 us and show the world that the different is clear in the world of football.

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