What A Load of Tosh – Arsenal 2-0 Latics

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