ARSENAL 2 WEST BROM 0 ALTHOUGH promising signs emerged from a host of Arsenal's unknown teenagers, it is two of the more reputable names who today emerge from the club's latest Carling Cup lesson with the highest marks.
For the truth is that these young Gunners were labouring badly against a severely weakened Championship side, who played with men for more than minutes, until Carlos Vela made his spectacular introduction.
Jack Wilshere, a veritable veteran of these occasions now aged , had hitherto been the stand-out performer despite playing in an unfamiliar central midfield role and his influence irritated West Brom enough to induce Jerome Thomas to push him in the face, prompting his dismissal and an angry reaction from Baggies manager Roberto Di Matteo, who said his player was reacting to an insult from the Arsenal youngster.
Arsene Wenger instructed his youngsters to mirror the system employed at senior level, with Aaron Ramsey the supposed playmaker. But he was thoroughly outshone by Wilshere, who moved the ball with finesse through jinking solo runs and efficiency in short and sharp passing.
Arsene Wenger instructed his youngsters to mirror the system employed at senior level, with Aaron Ramsey the supposed playmaker. But he was thoroughly outshone by Wilshere, who moved the ball with finesse through jinking solo runs and efficiency in short and sharp passing.
That said, Arsenal created surprisingly little until -year-old Vela settled t h e g ame w i t h i n minutes of coming on as a second-half substitute.
Cuff Links TiffanyThat said, Arsenal created surprisingly little until -year-old Vela settled t h e g ame w i t h i n minutes of coming on as a second-half substitute.
ed hardy hoodiesPerhaps we have Perhaps we have come to expect too much from Arsenal on these occasions -- with last year's thrashing of Sheffield United still in the memory -- but the Mexican proved his graduation from this level is virtually complete.
A fine effort from the edge of the box forced Dean Kiely into a save only for Sanchez Watt, perhaps the brightest of the newcomers, to side-foot home the rebound and break the deadlock in the th minute. Vela then took advantage of a mix-up between goalkeeper and Leon Barnett to make it nine minutes later.
Wenger said: "When Vela came on he made a difference because he is dangerous in his control and in his movement. His class gives you something special but he needs more time for the Premier League. But, of course, he is in my plans.
"He can play as a winger, wide left, wide right, he can play central -- he gives you plenty of options. I feel Wilshere did very well. He looked always lively, dangerous in a difficult part of the game. When it was very tight in the first half he looked to find openings, he is not scared. He has something which is very difficult to give to players, no matter how big the game is he takes the ball and takes people on.
"I believe in the future he will be a central player but at the moment in his education it is good that he plays wide right, wide left, central, wherever we need him.
"He still sometimes has a little lack of experience in his decision-making but there is something special there."
Given the average age of the starting XI was just -- the side contained eight teenagers -- there is so much time for these players to improve.
West Brom, who put Wigan to s
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