Arsenal Defeat in Carling Cup Continues Silverware Drought

Watching the Carling Cup tie against Man City last night reminded me of so many disappointing matches over the years. We dominated the 2nd half and actually looked much more dangerous in the first, but for one blunder after our own corner kick was flashed across the pitch for a relatively easy Aguero finish. One can take many positives from the performance, including the fact that our youngsters performed so valiantly against a City squad that would be starters for most of the premiership. On the other hand, I really believe the Carling was our best chance at Silverware this year and that a few more starters should have been sitting on the bench ready to step in. After the loss, I was too disappointed to write but today I can say that some positives did emerge but that I wonder how long it will be before we win anything again (will we look back at last year's Carling as the final nail in the Arsene era?).

As to the game itself, I think the performances of Frimpong, Coquelin and Chamberlain were sublime and really showed where we could be headed in a few years if we don't completely collapse. As Wenger said, top four is the key this year and that has to be the primary focus, but as I said above -- us Gooners want something to brag about that doesn't look require stretching our memory back to 2005. The game also showed, I believe, once and for all that it is time to unload Chamakh. He is useless on the pitch and maybe a move will revive a career that looks ready to collapse. Once you lose your confidence it's not always easy to get back. Park had a nice opportunity in the first half, that would have gone in but for a nice save, but I'm still not sure about him. In a game we dominated so much in the second half, we need someone that can finish and that touch was missing. Maybe Van Persie could have done well in a quick 10 minute cameo or even the much improved Walcott (who seems on the cusp of greatness after I had all but given up on him). Even as Wenger seems intent on telling the media that we don't need anyone in the Winter, the activity of our scouts appears to belie this claim. I think we should unload Chamakh, Squallaci and, alas, the failed Arshavin project and pick up the Striker, Creative Midfielder and versatile defender we need to make a push for the top four (and maybe FA Cup glory?).

Having just read that Crystal took out the hated Man U, I can't but help think that we just missed a golden opportunity at finally ending the drought. I think we may come back to this game and wonder why a little more effort wasn't put into winning it. Sure these youngsters need some time on the pitch, but that will come in January with the African Cup and overload of fixtures in the next two months. It feels a little like last year, though at least it wasn't the final ...