Great game – but it’s that goal again. Asn 2 Wgn 1

No Celeb
By Boris Mellor
January 26 2006

A great game that Arsenal won on the night, but lost the tie on aggregate – it was a pulsating match both teams had ample chances – probably 20 each. Including 3 penalty calls for Wigan, and two for Arsenal, one that was given.

Although Arsenal had more shots on target than Wigan, it was the Athletic that got the goal that really counted. All credit to them for not giving up, when most thought they were out. Good luck in the final.

The tie was lost at Wigan because I-0 left Arsenal too much to do. The Gunners scored two goals, it should have been three. But one away goal was worth a fortune.

The Arsenal Times had warned in the preview of the game what the problem would be:

"It will be the same defence as on Saturday, so watch out for high balls lobbed over the middle, no not you the reader, but Phil and Sol – watch out boys." Well they didn’t watch out, so the Gunners are out. It was a carbon copy of the goal Everton scored on Saturday. So far that goal has cost 3 points and a Lager Cup Final place.

Most of the team played very well and fought for the cause, Henry probably injured himself fighting hard to get the ball back. Gilbert was marvellous and provided Henry a goal of a simple header. Van Persie’s free kick was a wonder to behold one of the best ever seen at Highbury, but Pollitt the Wigan goalkeeper was still my man of the match. I am surprised we scored any against him he played so well, including saving the Reyes penalty.

Reporting the Everton game it was surmised:

"Missing three left backs, Eboue and Kolo, the defence could not get its act together. If Wenger cannot drill the defence to cope with these absences then things could be rocky until some class defenders come back. A fish rots from the head in Arsenal’s case the rot started at the back. A better team than Everton would have had a hatful."

In all fairness the full backs played well, and Wigan did not score a hatful, but the inability of Senderos and Campbell to play together is a serious problem. If it is not resolved the best part of the season could be over before Toure gets back.