Arsenal v. Middlesbrough, Carling Cup 1st Leg [R]

[dwinkler]

I guess somebody's got to start this thread. Here are a couple of previews from the Telegraph.

Arsenal to start some youngsters:
http://www.sport.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2004/01/20/sfnars20.xml&sSheet=/sport/2004/01/20/ixfooty.html

Juninho thinks 'Boro have to attack to win:
http://www.sport.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2004/01/20/sfnbor20.xml&sSheet=/sport/2004/01/20/ixfooty.html

Is anyone actually going to try to track this thing down and watch the match live on TV? It's on Setanta Closed Circuit so, what, maybe 5 bars in the country are picking this one up?

I hate this competition and can barely be bothered to keep half an eye on it. We got what we wanted, which is playing time for some younger players, so I couldn't care less if we exit at this stage of the competition.

[V Funk]

It's at least a fun mid-week distraction from work.

George and Dragon in Seattle is showing the match. And BBC Five Live looks like it will have an online audio feed.

[Coach_McGuirk]

Originally posted by dwinkler
I guess somebody's got to start this thread.

Catfish must be asleep at the switch.

Hey, Catfish! Wake up and give us your 3-1 to Arsenal prediction! Arsenal haven't lost since you started making it, so don't let us down!

[Coach_McGuirk]

Originally posted by dwinkler
Juninho thinks 'Boro have to attack to win:
http://www.sport.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2004/01/20/sfnbor20.xml&sSheet=/sport/2004/01/20/ixfooty.html


Maybe Juninho saw the list of players available.

Actually, I see it as 2 more matches for the kids. If they get through, fine. If not, it's not like we were going to be celebrating our run through the Carling Cup, anyway. Seems to me the whole competition is a chance for some middle of the table clubs to have a shot at some silverware. Arsenal have bigger fish to fry.

[michaec]

I want to win it. More specifically, I want a second-string side to beat Villa in the final with Bentley scoring from a quick free-kick. Take that O'Leary!

[Catfish]

Originally posted by Coach_McGuirk
Catfish must be asleep at the switch.

Hey, Catfish! Wake up and give us your 3-1 to Arsenal prediction! Arsenal haven't lost since you started making it, so don't let us down!

Sorry, been rather busy lately. Arsenal should win 3-1 sounds great, but I'm thinking 2-1.

Come on you Gunners!

[Detlef]

It's good to see the kids play so well. It's a healthy sign for the future.

OTOH the Carling Cup final is scheduled for Feb 29. I have tickets for the Charlton fixture on Feb 28 which would get postponed because of the Carling Cup final. I would much rather see Arsenal at Highbury than at Cardiff.

[total_football]

I think I'm going to track the game on Soccernet, if they have something, that is.

2-1 to the Gunners..Kanu with a brace!

[Frankgarrison]

Arseweb think that Danny Karbassyoon may have a chance to play:

from http://www.arseweb.com

"David Bentley and Michal Papadopolus, and I wouldn't be surprised if both of those 2 start: Bentley on the wing and Papadopolus up front with Kanu. You never know though, someone else like Ryan Smith, Quincy Owusu-Abeyie or Daniel Karbassyoon could get a shot"

any confirmation that the match will be carried by Radio 5 Live?

[Coach_McGuirk]

Live audio at BBC Five Live and text coverage at BBC Sport.

[ArsenalTexan3]

REFEREE
Steve Dunn (Bristol)

ARSENAL
Graham Stack
Kolo Toure
Martin Keown
Pascal Cygan
Gael Clichy
David Bentley
Ray Parlour
Gilberto
Edu
Quincy Owusu-Abeyie
Kanu
SUBS
Craig Holloway
Olafur-Ingi Skulason
Ashley Cole
Jerome Thomas
Ryan Smith

MIDDLESBROUGH
Mark Schwarzer
Danny Mills
Ugo Ehiogu
Chris Riggott
Franck Queudrue
Boudewijn Zenden
George Boateng
Gaizka Mendieta
Doriva
Juninho
Massimo Maccarone
SUBS
Brad Jones
Stuart Parnaby
Stewart Downing
Michael Ricketts
Joseph-Desire Job

[Suckafree]

I know Five Live is doing live audio but i will post PBP for those who can't get it.

From Arsenal.com
19.56 - Toure makes a break from the right and, with four Middlesbrough defenders around him, fires a low shot which beats Schwarzer's dive but goes agonisingly wide of the far post.

19.54 - Gilberto leaves the field for treatment. Arsenal take a throw and give the ball back to Middlesbrough, who had sportingly put it out of touch. Gilberto seems OK to continue now.

19.53 - Doriva dispossesses Gilberto and feeds Juninho, who tries a quick pass into the box - but Cygan is there to block it. Gilberto seems to be in some agony after the tackle from his fellow countryman.

19.52 - Kanu gets through on goal but is ruled offside.

19.50 - The ball just being passed around in midfield at the moment, neither team have a clear advantage in the opening stages.

19.49 - There's been a little rain today so the surface is slick and will hopefully suit Arsenal's quick-passing game.

19.48 - Referee Steve Dunn blows his whistle and the game is underway.

19.44 - Attention will be on Quincy Owusu-Abeyie (hereafter known as Quincy!) tonight, as the young striker - product of the Ajax youth academy - makes his first first-team start.

[HighburyGoon]

Originally posted by Coach_McGuirk
Live audio at BBC Five Live and text coverage at BBC Sport.

Thanks Coach! It's a bit frustrating that the service I'm paying for (Arsenal Plus) has no audio today, but at least it's out there somewhere!

[Suckafree]

From Arsenal.com
19.58 - Mark Schwarzer almost finds himself in difficulty when he tries to play the ball out and is closed down by Kanu. He manages to clear under pressure.

[dwinkler]

Juninho just hit the post.

Looking at the lineups, shouldn't 'Boro handle us pretty easily?

[cdngunnerbob]

The webmster is going to get a nasty letter

[TheSlipperyOne]

Ok boys, let's get this done and make it 4-0 against Boro in January.

Maybe Quincy can show he should get some call-ups to the first team.

[Detlef]

Juninho also got booked after a foul on Edu for unsporting behavior.

i am following the game on the live text commentary on BBC sport.

[Suckafree]

From Arsenal.com
20.02 - Juninho is booked for pulling back Edu on a run towards goal. At the other end Juniho releases a fierce shot which bounces off the far post and into the grateful arms of Graham Stack..

[Suckafree]

From Arsenal.com
20.11 - Edu sees a pass go astray and for a moment it looks as if he's put Arsenal in danger as Juninho pounces and makes the run forward - but he's pulled back for handling the ball.

20.10 - Both teams defences are working hard and doing their job. Middlesbrough are trying more and more shots from distance, while Arsenal have yet to crack open 'Boro with their favoured through-balls.