You win some, you lose some

What a fantastic game of football between London rivals Arsenal and Chelsea in the Carling Cup Final yesterday afternoon. A lot of people have been getting uptight about the little shoving match that occurred towards the end of the game but that shouldn’t take away from the brillant way Arsenal’s younger players set about this game.

The first half was the best I’ve seen from an Arsenal team for quite a while and Chelsea with the allstar midfield of Lampard, Ballack, Essien and Makelele couldn’t kick for the first 20 minutes. From back to front Arsenal were playing it around at speed and always kept the ball down. Theo Walcott scored his first goal for the club and hopefully that’ll give him more confidence, you can see him getting shifted into a more central striking role in a couple of years taking over from Henry. He might not create some of the special goals that Henry does but he could be a deadly finisher.

Arsene Wenger started with an outfield lineup whose average age was less than 21 including two 17 year olds, Walcott and Traore who looks a great prospect at left back, quick, skillful and intelligent with the ball. I think if Wenger had gone with Gallas and Adebayor in the starting eleven they would have won. Didier Drogba has had Philippe Senderos in his pocket every time they’ve played and when I saw the team that was my biggest worry. Drogba’s just too big, powerful and quick for Senderos, who try’s really hard but always leaves the impression he’s a mistake waiting to happen. Gallas would have given Drogba more of a contest.

Chelsea’s experience and know how got them the win but I don’t think they played anything like than can and you have to wonder if players like Ballack and Shevchenko will be around next season. Ballack’s pretty anonymous and Shevchenko is completely one paced, I reckon he’ll be back in Milan come August. Jose Mourinho was fairly gracious in victory saying Arsenal would be having a bad dinner and Chelsea a good one, but complimenting the Arsenal players.

I don’t think too many Arsenal fans will be bothered about losing because they got a look at the future yesterday and its looking great. If these boys develope like they should, in two years time Arsenal will have a dominating team.
Here are a few highlights of the game with analysis from some hottie on Indian tv.