It's over. Arsenal are out of the Carling Cup. It was an exhilarating experience for the youth's and they leave this competition with their heads' held high. They have done their fans proud and this run will be remembered by many Gooners not only for how far their team had gone but also the manner in which they reached this stage.
Wins away to Manchester City and at home to Everton were made all the sweeter considering they were games of men against boys. David vs Goliath if you like. Against Everton they showed great resolution to come back from a goal down against a team which lie 1 point adrift of the first team in the Premiership. Astonishing.
The away side started in bad fashion and went behind as early as the 20th second. Johan Djourou slipped and like a flash David Bellion pounced to capitalise. If truth be told things could have been worse going into the break but after the interval Arsenal stepped up their game and took it to Manchester United.
Arsenal were fielding such a young side that even the inclusion of 27 year old Manuel Almunia couldn't prevent the average age of the side from being 19. This was the age of Manchester United's youngest player.
Manchester United did field a few "youngsters" but had a vastly experienced starting XI which included 8 full internationals.
Old Trafford was sold out. Very surprising considering this was a Carling Cup game but the bitter rivalry between the two clubs ensured this was going to be a spectacle and everyone took their chance to be a part of it.
Manchester United's goal came so early that a lot of fans missed it on their way into the stadium. Djourou miscontrolled the ball and it rolled to Bellion. He made his way towards goal and as he was about to shoot Clichy slipped in front of him. He took his time and hit a firm drive that somehow managed to get away from Almunia.
That was a massive blow for Arsenal and they were soon under intense pressure. They lost their composure and were looking very timid. As a result they created little and had very little grip on the game.
Justin Hoyte fouled Kleberson right oin the edge of the box and for a second all away team fans had their hearts' in their mouths as they waited for the referee's decision. Freekick and not a penalty. The freekick came to nothing in the end.
Gael Clichy tracked backl well and used his pace to help out defensively on numerous occasion, most notably being when Chris Eagles was sent clear by Bellion. He put Eagles under pressure and the winger dragged his shot wide as a result.
Close to the half hour mark Robin van Persie nearly put the Gunners back in the game. Wes Brown's back pass was poorly dealt with by Howard and van Persie was in there like a flash. Unfortunately the ball went out for a goal kick.
Almunia was made to dive to his right soon after to palm away a thunderous drive from just outside the box by Richardson.
Arturo Lupoli was fouled on the edge of the box after Quincy had embarked on a mazy run. The resulting freekick was taken by Jermaine Pennant. He curled the ball around the wall and the shot was destined for the far post but Howard was equal to it.
The game burst into life in the second half. With less than a minute gone there was an altracation between Robin van Persie and Richardson. After an overzealous challenge by van Persie, Richardson lashed out and swung his fists about. The game was stopped and the two players were booked.
The away team were getting back into the game and had a lot of possession. They passed the ball around well and were getting at Manchester United. But for all their possession they created little of note.
Pennant's freekick was blocked and numerous other attempts at set pieces were uninspired. There was no presence in the box so ultimately the ball was being hacked clear every time it was put in there.
Chris Eagles darted to the left byline but hacked wide when in a great position to cross from.
The game petered out for a narrow 1-0 loss but the home side were given a scare when Pennant took a short freekick to van Persie who promptly left Fortune in his wake before firing just wide of Howard's left hand post.
It was a great run by the youths and everyone at the club is proud of them. They deserve credit for getting as far as they did and a good few of them can hope for some action in the first team sometime soon judging from their displays in this competition.
Wins away to Manchester City and at home to Everton were made all the sweeter considering they were games of men against boys. David vs Goliath if you like. Against Everton they showed great resolution to come back from a goal down against a team which lie 1 point adrift of the first team in the Premiership. Astonishing.
The away side started in bad fashion and went behind as early as the 20th second. Johan Djourou slipped and like a flash David Bellion pounced to capitalise. If truth be told things could have been worse going into the break but after the interval Arsenal stepped up their game and took it to Manchester United.
Arsenal were fielding such a young side that even the inclusion of 27 year old Manuel Almunia couldn't prevent the average age of the side from being 19. This was the age of Manchester United's youngest player.
Manchester United did field a few "youngsters" but had a vastly experienced starting XI which included 8 full internationals.
Old Trafford was sold out. Very surprising considering this was a Carling Cup game but the bitter rivalry between the two clubs ensured this was going to be a spectacle and everyone took their chance to be a part of it.
Manchester United's goal came so early that a lot of fans missed it on their way into the stadium. Djourou miscontrolled the ball and it rolled to Bellion. He made his way towards goal and as he was about to shoot Clichy slipped in front of him. He took his time and hit a firm drive that somehow managed to get away from Almunia.
That was a massive blow for Arsenal and they were soon under intense pressure. They lost their composure and were looking very timid. As a result they created little and had very little grip on the game.
Justin Hoyte fouled Kleberson right oin the edge of the box and for a second all away team fans had their hearts' in their mouths as they waited for the referee's decision. Freekick and not a penalty. The freekick came to nothing in the end.
Gael Clichy tracked backl well and used his pace to help out defensively on numerous occasion, most notably being when Chris Eagles was sent clear by Bellion. He put Eagles under pressure and the winger dragged his shot wide as a result.
Close to the half hour mark Robin van Persie nearly put the Gunners back in the game. Wes Brown's back pass was poorly dealt with by Howard and van Persie was in there like a flash. Unfortunately the ball went out for a goal kick.
Almunia was made to dive to his right soon after to palm away a thunderous drive from just outside the box by Richardson.
Arturo Lupoli was fouled on the edge of the box after Quincy had embarked on a mazy run. The resulting freekick was taken by Jermaine Pennant. He curled the ball around the wall and the shot was destined for the far post but Howard was equal to it.
The game burst into life in the second half. With less than a minute gone there was an altracation between Robin van Persie and Richardson. After an overzealous challenge by van Persie, Richardson lashed out and swung his fists about. The game was stopped and the two players were booked.
The away team were getting back into the game and had a lot of possession. They passed the ball around well and were getting at Manchester United. But for all their possession they created little of note.
Pennant's freekick was blocked and numerous other attempts at set pieces were uninspired. There was no presence in the box so ultimately the ball was being hacked clear every time it was put in there.
Chris Eagles darted to the left byline but hacked wide when in a great position to cross from.
The game petered out for a narrow 1-0 loss but the home side were given a scare when Pennant took a short freekick to van Persie who promptly left Fortune in his wake before firing just wide of Howard's left hand post.
It was a great run by the youths and everyone at the club is proud of them. They deserve credit for getting as far as they did and a good few of them can hope for some action in the first team sometime soon judging from their displays in this competition.
