Examination Time For Wenger's Latest Class

If you are looking for a valid reason why the fledgling Gunners may get a result up at Goodison in tomorrow’s Carling Cup encounter you need only go back two years, almost to the day.

Admittedly Arsenal enjoyed home advantage for the fourth round tie in 2004, but in-form Everton were using their first choice Premiership team with the exception of keeper Nigel Martyn making way for Richard Wright (oh please let him play again tomorrow Moyesy!)

Everton started strongly and took an early lead with Thomas Gravesen's free-kick. Arsenal were forced to bring Quincy on for Ryan Smith halfway through the first half, and the diminutive winger soon levelled the scores.

With the second half barely seven minutes old Arturo Lupoli took advantage of Robin Van Persie’s astute pass to fire the hosts into an unlikely lead, but it didn’t end there.

Six minutes from the end Lupoli latched onto a Quincy cross to knock home a third and clinch a very impressive win for a very young side.

The Arsenal line-up that night was Almunia; Hoyte, Senderos, Djourou, Karbassyoon; Pennant, Flamini, Edu (Larsson 65), Smith (Quincy 21); Van Persie, Lupoli (Cregg 89).

In terms of experience tomorrow’s contest could feature very similar sides. Could the Young Guns do us proud once more. The odds are against it, but Everton will feel compelled to show more attacking intent than was evident at Ashburton Grove ten days ago. That may just open the door for the class of ’06.