Wigan Athletic turned in another awful performance as they went out of the Carling Cup with the merest of whimpers at the Emirate Stadium as Arsenal progressed through to the semi-finals without breaking sweat.
The Latics managed just two attempts at goal in the game with a solitary one on target, a fact that is quite simply embarrassing in a cup tie and it looks like the game was lost before a ball was kicked, the travelling fans who made the 400 mile round trip on a freezing cold Tuesday would have benefited from knowing the teams intentions before setting off this afternoon.
It`s understandable to go to places like Arsenal and keep it tight, but at some point in a cup game you need to attack or you won`t be going through, it appeared that the players were under the impression that it was a two-legged affair and the importance of the game was to keep Arsenal down to as few goals as possible with a reluctance of the Latics to advance beyond the half way line.
Finishing the game with no striker on the pitch having replaced the injured Boselli with Gomez and knocking the ball around as though it was some preseason kick about showed how much this competition really meant to the club, nothing, is it any wonder that the fans don`t get behind the team in cup games.
All the pre-match amble of the competition having a special place in the heart of the club, blah de blah de blah, was nothing more than hot air spoken to kid spectators into turning up. Absolute shocking, I am an advocate of Roberto Martinez but tonight I found it all a little embarrassing, those tactics were a disgrace to the club and an insult to the travelling fans.
Arsenal won 2-0, Alcaraz headed into his own net just before half-time, Bendtner added the second on 67 minutes, I honestly can`t remember either of Latics two attempts and I was relieved when the full time whistle blew to put an end to the joke of a performance.
Teams
Arsenal: Szczesny: Koscielny, Van Persie (Eastmond, 72), Vela, Walcott, Denilson, Wilshere (Nasri, 72), Djourou, Eboue, Gibbs, Bendtner (Emmanuel-Thomas, 83)
Subs: Shea, Nordtveit, Sagna, Arshavin
Latics: Al Habsi; Gohouri, Alcaraz, S. Caldwell, Figueroa; McArthur, Thomas; Stam (McManaman, 79), Watson, Moses (N’Zogbia, 39); Boselli (Gomez, 81)
Subs: Pollitt, Di Santo, Diame, Mustoe
Pretty poor
You started well but it went downhill after that worbo.
It was awful, I lost my glasses before the game so watched through blurry snow. I am so glad I couldn’t see.
Dont understand those comments, I am probably their worst critic but I thought they played pretty well last night. The defence last shapea few times but was better than recent games. Passing was much better than usual but the final third was as normal, no penetration. Moses was outstanding till he got injured, Zog was Zog and even Bosseli showed he can play a bit, but needed some help up front.
Yes Arsenal were the better side but I thought Latics did OK without ever looking like they were going to win.
Two attempts at goal all game, replacing our only striker with a midfielder at 2-0 down in a cup tie, every pass that went forward went to an Arsenal player, players running aimlessly with the ball at their feet until they got tackled with no support at all from others. If you thought last night was better than we’ve been recently who’ve you been watching
Ah well, maybe its me. Though I never said anything about Robertos subs choice. Two shots at goal I think equates to me saying the final third was poor. The pasing in midfield was good till they got to the final third.. As for who I have bee watching, I have watched every game this season and apart from a couple of performances the have been tripe, more like a pub side but I do give credit when it is due.
I thought some of our performances this season have been good, but I do slag them off when its due 😉 So flippin frustratin, who’d be a football fan?
Plus for the benefit of some snidey twots, just because I slag off the team performance in a game that we play poorly in doesnt mean I want to to get shut of the manager