Young Gunners Fall Just Short of an Improbable Trophy

by Joel Martin

The Cup Final was refreshing and unique, one of the strangest games of the season in fact. Our young reserves, the future of the club, matched up against Chelsea’s first team and gave them a hell of a fight. Our boys’ effort was something to be proud of. Although the wheels came off in the end, I am still very pleased with the exertion we put forth today.

The first goal was a product of absolute brilliance from both Walcott and Diaby. Walcott’s finish was mouth-watering, I hope to be seeing many more of those in the years to come. Diaby has been unbelievable since his return from injury, twice the player he was last year. If he keeps playing this well, Wenger will have no choice but to make room for him in the first team. Fabregas and Denilson dominated Chelsea’s big name counterparts the entire game in the midfield. I’m not nearly as worried about life after Gilberto as I was now that Diaby and Denilson both have proved themselves to be class midfielders.

Hoyte finally seems to be playing with more confidence. I've never been a fan of Hoyte because he used to play terrified, like he couldn’t afford to make one mistake. He figured his future at Arsenal was hanging in the balance, and he couldn't handle the pressure. Now that Lauren is gone, however, Hoyte is a needed member of the squad and he knows it. He is much more confident because he knows that he can afford to make a mistake without getting the axe. Today was one of his best performances in an Arsenal shirt, and I expect more great performances to come from him.

Eboue, on the other hand, is an absolute headcase. He was lucky not to get sent off for his role in the brawl at the end of the game. His temper-tantrum after a classic Arjen Robben dive was embarrassing, especially because it was coming from Eboue, who couldn’t stay on his feet if they were glued to the ground. His ability on the pitch is unquestioned, and I think he is one of the top right-backs in the world when he’s on (i.e. against Manchester United). His main drawbacks as a player are all mental. If he was disciplined he would have a positioning sense. If he was disciplined he wouldn’t writhe on the ground every time he took a knock. If he was disciplined he would not throw a fit and he would not hit Wayne Bridge in the head. When he reaches this level of discipline, and only when he reaches this level of discipline, will he reach his potential.

Eboue and Baptista were really the only players to disappoint in Cardiff. Even Senderos faced his demons well and held his own nicely against Drogba. Baptista’s ineptitude, however, is a recurring theme. I can’t see how Wenger will keep him at the Emirates if he keeps playing like this. He’s crap.

In the end, although we lost our composure in the end, and although Drogba looked clearly offside for his first goal, we can take everything from this game other than the trophy. Our reserve side outplayed one of the best teams in the world for 70 minutes, and it took a world-class goal from Drogba and Robben to beat us. We played with heart, which is something we’ve severely lacked in recent weeks, and we could have gone two or three up in the first half. Once we get older the finishing will come, and there will be many more cup finals and trophies in this Arsenal squad’s future.