Arsenal enjoyed a Carling Cup walk in the St James’ Park as they overpowered a second-string Newcastle in their own backyard. The fleet-footed Theo Walcott stole the show, notching a brace of goals to remind both Arsene Wenger and us Fantasy Managers of his devastating form before injury temporarily de-railed his campaign. Elsewhere, extra-time wins for Villa and West Ham saw them progress to the last eight in another night of cup squad rotation merriment…
Wenger’s lineup last night saw Laurent Koscielny return from a back problem to bolster a defence that also included Johan Djourou, with Emmanuel Eboue and Kieran Gibbs starting at full-back. Elsewhere the eleven was completed by a mix of players who are likely to find themselves on the bench against West Ham this weekend – Denilson, Carlos Vela and Craig Eastmond – and those who will be pushing for inclusion – Tomas Rosicky, Bendtner and of course Walcott. Despite the goalscoring feats, those three would seem likely to start life on the bench, such is the competition for starts. Gibbs will be a doubt however, he limped off early on with what has been reported as a knee injury – another niggle for the young left-back.
Cesc Fabregas was introduced mid-way through the second-half by Wenger as the Gunners boss look to sharpen up his skipper. Typically Fabregas contributed the assists for Bendtner’s second and Arsenal’s third.
The start for Wayne Routledge, and perhaps even Mike Williamson at the back, puts question marks over their inclusion in Sunday’s starting eleven. Routledge has lost his place of late and Jonas Gutierrez seems likely to continue on the left-flank. Williamson’s situation seems more secure in the short-term but with Sol Campbell and Steven Taylor battling back to fitness, his starting role is clearly coming under increased threat.
One final footnote, Joey Barton picked up a late booking last night – his fourth of the campaign putting him on the suspension tightrope. One more yellow and he faces a one-match ban; not a great scenario given the cauldron expected for Sunday’s local derby with Sunderland.
Houllier is quickly running out of attacking options for Sunday’s game with Gabby Agbonlahor already ruled out. John Carew will also be a doubt after pulling out of last night’s tie late on through illness. That meant that Ashley Young started the match in the strikers role, with Stephen Ireland pushed up in support. Ireland will now likely maintain his role “in the hole” against Birmingham, with Young shifted to a wide role and Heskey brought back in to lead the attack. Steve Sidwell looks set to get the opportunity to make a claim for a run of starts with club skipper Stylian Petrov sidelined for two months. Sidwell started last night and, given Albrighton’s suspension, looks set to get the nod again on Sunday. Stephen Warnock was suspended for last night’s tie having picked up his fifth booking of the season at the weekend – he will therefore make a return against Birmingham.
From a Fantasy perspective we now have to consider that Jones and Pennant, along with Matt Etherington who missed the game with a knock sustained against United, as doubts for the trip to Goodison this weekend.
