Efficient Performance, Professional Result and these are the kids!
The goal scoring heroes, Vela and Watt
It is now I think well over 5 years since Arsene started using the youth in this competition. Yesterday the trend continued with 8 teenagers. We can safely that is significantly higher to be singled out so precisely. Of course if you really want to be picky, then as I mentioned before in my previous post, you can count Senderos as a young un as well. Age is just a number after all right?
The old Wengerase (Wenger phrase) ‘if you’re good enough, you’re old enough’ or something similar was put to test again yesterday. Of course had Jerome Thomas not felt the impulsive need to lash out at Wilshere, then things could have been a lot different. Up until then the game was pretty even. West Brom had their chances but surprisingly didn’t take them. I say surprisingly because they were at ease in hitting 5 past Boro in the league on Saturday.
But it was still 0-0 at half time, so the job was still incomplete. Wenger’s introduction of Vela, brought a positive change and he was involved in both goals. Watt scored the first but Vela’s long distance shot gave him the chance to bring him the goal. Vela then acted as poacher when he reacted swiftly to Randall’s exquisite shot. That sealed the win in the 3rd round of the Carling Cup
Three things to notice about that
1. If there was any doubt about Arsenal not shooting from far, then I hope this will reassure you. Both goals were result of long distance shooting to begin with. The first team have already found the net five times from outside the box this season, matching the whole of 2008-09 (courtesy of Orbinho on Twitter).
2. Fair enough those shots didn’t go in, but Watt and Vela showed great determination and positional awareness to be there in the box to snap up the rebounds.
3. Those two goals were 50% of the shots Arsenal had on target last night. In a game where opportunities are few, it is nice to see such efficiency. Vintage Youth Arsenal it wasn’t but a gritty, hard-fought deserved win it is.
A quick note on Silvestre.
Senior professionals sometimes view training or even playing with the kids as somewhat of a punishment. Earlier this season I read how a Norwich player was offended because his ex-manager made him train with the youth. So a little respect must be given to Silvestre for the way he has handled himself, despite the resentment and jibes for his past connections. Of course the truest professional is Gilberto, who back in 2007, actually went out and said how much he enjoyed playing in the Carling Cup with the young stars. Imagine that a World Cup winner saying that! What a boost it gives to any upcoming star at the Emirates.
Finally, a word on the puns circa Watt. I think they will grow old very, very quickly. You Watt? There.
