Cup Shock – Premiership Club Wins At Burnley
Jan 7th, 2008 by 'holic
So only five Premiership clubs booked their place in the fourth round draw on Saturday as a day of shocks unfolded. Five more had the opportunity to join them twenty-four hours later, and only Arsenal seized that opportunity with both hands.
It was a strange afternoon for Arsenal at Burnley, and a lot of credit is due to the Championship side for that. They had the first clear opportunity to score and, fortunately for the visitors, Lafferty guided his header up onto the bar rather than downwards.
In truth the hosts created precious little after that, but were in the game to the extent that Philippe Senderos and Kolo Toure stood out for the visitors. Thankfully the strike partnership of Eduardo and Nicklas Bendtner also impressed.
Nine minutes in the diminutive Eduardo took advantage of a deft Kolo Toure chip to finish as though it was the easiest thing in the world. Of course you regulars had followed my advice and backed ‘Blinky’ to score first at 9/2, hadn’t you? It would have more than made up for my incorrect scorecast!
The game was finely poised until Lafferty was sent off on the hour for a rash challenge on Gilberto. Like Bendtner at Goodison the challenge looked to be a clumsy one born out of frustration rather than something more malicious. Briefly it sparked a spirited surge from the ten men, but the inevitable second goal arrived when Eduardo fed Bendtner and ‘big Nick’ rounded Kiraly to clinch it.
The conditions at Turf Moor were far from ideal and it was evident that a couple of the younger players found it hard going. It will be interesting to see if confidence resurfaces when they return to the billiard table surface at the Grove on Wednesday.
Before I forget, there was a significant absentee at Burnley. There was not even a place on the bench for Lassana Diarra. He has lasted marginally longer in a red shirt than Clive Allen but it would appear is paying the penalty for what could politely be referred to as ‘an attitude problem’. At least we should make a healthy profit on the couple of luncheon vouchers we had to pay Chelsea for his signature.
Talking of attitudes, I was pleased to see Jens Lehmann keep a clean sheet. If this is to be the mental German’s farewell appearance I am pleased he went out on a high. He has been the author of his own misfortune this season but I cannot forget the years that have preceded this one. He was an invincible, a cup-winner, and earned us a European Cup Final place that memorable night in Villareal. Good luck you crazy man!
6 Responses to “Cup Shock – Premiership Club Wins At Burnley”
Good Article!
Completely agree about Jens – Thanks you for the service you German Loon!!
I’m gonna miss Mad Jens as well. His performance last night reminded me of all the extra adrenaline pumped everytime he came off his line to clear/header/pass.
dont read too mch into Diarra not being in the squad. once wenger decides to use Bert in this game and Diarra at home to the spuds there was no way he was going to drag another defensive midfielder up to Burnley to sit on the bench for 90 minutes. as long as he gets his 90 mins on weds and then some more games afterwards he cant complain.
we will remember the crazy man as our most temper keeper..
good luck also to him…
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To get match-event for Gunners… All the best…Gunners…thanks
I think Gazzap might be onto something. I think Diarra will still have a part to play for the Arsenal.
I can understand his frustration. He thinks he’s good enough to be playing, and I agree.
Arsene has done really, really well this season, and it would be a continuation of that good form if he could bring the best out of an extremely promising player.
With Kolo and Eboue gone, Arsene will probably want to use Diarra.
The back four could be: Clichy, Gallas, Sagna, and Diarra. I think Sagna would be better in central defense than Senderos.
If Arsene wants to roll the dice on big Phil, then he could find a place for Diarra in the midfield – even if it means some rotation.
I think Arsene will get this sorted.
Blinky lol you bastard Dave, great read though mate!