Chelsea Fans Tribute to Wenger Wonder Kids

Mourinho celebrated wildly as a man anticipating that this might be his last silverware with Chelsea. It is unlikely that his team can win the league, and he may well be gone by the end of the season. Meanwhile Arsenal players looked exhausted by the thought of what could have been. For 84 minutes they were still in with a chance of winning the game.

But they should hold their heads up high, for the only difference between the two teams, if you ignore the amount of money the Chelsea team cost (Sheva probably cost more than the whole Arsenal line up), was the predatory finishing of Drogba. (Perhaps they got the price tags between the two muddled.)

Arsenal created far more chances than Chelsea, but were less effective at converting them, nonetheless they played some remarkable football. It was beauty against the beast, and at times the football was breathtaking. With only ten minutes gone Arsenal had already created several chances, then on twelve minutes Walcott got the ball to Diaby, who then passed to Baptista who slipped it through to Theo who scored one of the best goals I have ever seen an Arsenal Player score in a final. Taken so coolly it contained shades of Henry, Brady and Bergkamp.

This was a big big goal, not for what it meant for the game, but for the future. Walcott has shown he can do it against the very best. For much of the first half the youngsters ran riot, Diaby in particular was terrorising the Chelsea defence. Unfortunately Arsenal relinquished the lead after only 21 minutes, up to then 3-0 would not have flattered them. Drogba’s run on goal looked offside, but it was poor defending. Even so the Gunners finished the first half the stronger team.

A second half injury to John Terry, and the six minute break, seemed to disrupt Arsenal’s rhythm, and Diaby who had injured his ankle in his collision with Terry was incapable of carrying on. Although Hleb replaced him it did not improve the Gunner’s play. Nor was Adebayor able to add much. Slowly the Blues were getting on top, and on 84 minutes a midfield error saw Robben’s receive the ball which he crossed for the perfect Drogba header, two-one and game over.

Seven minutes injury time was added, but rather stupidly Toure allowed himself to get involved in a fight, which wasted most of the added time, and damaged Arsenal’s cause more than Chelsea’s. However this shouldn’t detract from what was a pulsating game. A team of seasoned, highly priced Internationals only barely scraped through against one of the youngest teams ever to play in a final.

Forget the Carling Cup, something more important happened than not winning it, it is the amazing hope that these youngsters provide for Arsenal’s future. A future that is not very far away. Wenger himself is adamant that he does not regret his team selection: