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Carling Cup: Jeremie Aliadiere scored two as Arsenal's young guns defeated West Bromwich Albion
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
24 Oct 2006
West Bromwich Albion 0 Arsenal 2
Jeremie Aliadiere, once so full of promise to become an Arsenal first-teamer, has found himself to be the forgotten man in recent times. Loaned out to Celtics, West Ham, and Wolves in recent seasons, the twenty-three year old striker returned to Arsenal with a point to prove. His performance in the fixture certainly helps remind his manager that he still has a lot to offer. His two goals made sure Arsenal cruise smoothly into the next round. As expected, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger fielded virtually a youth team for this Carling Cup fourth round match against West Bromwich Albion. It is hard to believe that Aliadiere was the most senior Arsenal player on the pitch, and it is encouraging to see this inexperienced side did so well.
Arsene Wenger was impressed by Aliadiere's performance, "Jeremie has had his injury problems in the past but this is the first time he has not been bothered with them. I think he showed what he was about and he looked very mobile and dangerous. I liked the way he played."
Wenger was equally delighted by his youngster's showing. "It is maybe one of the greatest satisfactions a manager can get to see young players develop," said Wenger. "Youth is often criticized but I've got a group of boys who want to achieve something and it's fantastic to help them try and do that." He then added, "I've got plenty of boys who have a lot of spirit and they showed that tonight. I thought Denilson and Alexandre Song, in particular, were excellent. I have always wanted to use this competition to give my young players experience. We were playing a good side and it could have affected their confidence to go out at such an early round but they came through very well."
The young Gunners played like their first team counterparts. Their counter attacks were brisk and dangerous. Center back, Philippe Senderos made a welcomed return following injury sustained during the World Cup. He and his Swiss international team-mate Johan Djourou formed a solid defensive unit. 17-year-old striker Armand Traore also made his first appearance due to Emmanuel Adebayor's injury. 19 year old Brazilian, Denilson, also made his debut. Signed from 3.4 million pounds, the Brazil U19 captain's impressive display showed why Wenger rates him so highly. Another debutant was an Englishmen, Matthew Connolly. Even Wenger was a bit worried before the game with so many inexperienced players, "I was worried that if it didn't work, we might lose and confidence would drop. But it was a great performance. Denilson has a tremendous presence and Jeremie was very mobile."
Aliadiere earned a penalty when Steve Watson foolishly fouled him in the area. And the French striker made no mistake in converting the penalty 12 minutes before half time. In the 50th min, Aliadiere reacted the quickest to score from Theo Walcott's free kick.
West Brom started the match brightly, but soon the youngster showed that they were a level above. Tony Mowbray, the new West Brom manager, admitted as much, "Arsenal's technical ability and athleticism are something we won't see in the Championship. It's a benchmark for us because Arsenal play where we want to be."
In the end, all can see that the future of Arsenal looks rosy indeed. With Fabregas signing a long term 8 year contract, and this batch of talented teenagers coming through the rank, maybe, just maybe, there is a way for Arsenal to compete with the seemingly unlimited supply of money at Stamford Bridge.
West Bromwich Albion:
Russell Hoult, Curtis Davies, Paul McShane, Paul Robinson, Steve Watson, Darren Carter (Diomansy Kamara), Richard Chaplow (Zoltan Gera), Jonathan Greening, Nigel Quashie (Martin Albrechtsen), Nathan Ellington, John Hartson
Substitutes not used: L Steele, R Wallwork. Booked: Watson, Robinson
Arsenal:
Manuel Rivero Almunia, Gael Clichy, Matthew Connolly, Johan Djourou, Philippe Senderos, Pereira Neves Denilson (Randall), Mathieu Flamini, Alexandre Song Bilong, Emmanuel Adebayor (Traore), Jeremie Aliadiere, Theo Walcott
Substitutes not used: M Poom, J O'Cearuill, J Simpson.
Goals: Jeremie Aliadiere 34 (pen.), 50
Referee: Atkinson, M
Venue: The Hawthorns
Attendance: 21,566
Corners:
West Brom: 7
Arsenal: 4
Goal Attempts:
West Brom: 9
Arsenal: 10
On Target:
West Brom: 1
Arsenal: 5
7:32 PM
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