The Romance Of The Cup

It's impossible not to rave about the midfield quartet that started for Arsenal at the Reebok on Valentines night. I suspect most have now ceased to be surprised by the quality that Hleb and Rosicky bring to the side, but Diaby and Denilson, with barely thirty-nine years between them, were simply awesome.

It took just thirteen minutes for a breathtaking move, featuring two moments of control from Hleb and Denilson that should be made a part of every football education video, to result in the opening goal. Adebayor will righly claim the finish which deflected in off the hapless Stelios.

The only surprise of the first half was that the lead was not greater, so complete was the visitors control of the contest, yet in the end Almunia was grateful to see the Trotters first worthwhile effort, from Stelios, come out off the post just before the whistle.

The second half should have seen the tie well and truly wrapped up. Baptista, strangely lacklustre, was upended on a run into the box, but Gilberto sent the penalty high into the visiting supporters. Five minutes remained when Adebayor got the better of Campo, rounded Jaaskelainen, and managed to strike his effort against the upright with an open goal yawning before him.

There was an inevitability that Bolton would score, and in injury time they did just that. Meite was left unmarked in the centre of the area and added the finishing touch to a Campo header. Having been so outclassed for ninety-two minutes, surely they would not win this time?

After a goal-less first-half the second period of extra-time brought a reminder of days gone by as Freddie Ljungberg finished magnificently following some superb approach play by Aliadiere, and as a visibly tiring home team pushed desperately forward in search of a second unlikely equaliser, Arsenal twice sprung out on the break to telling effect.

The first resulted in a penalty when Anelka felled Adebayor. For the second time the spot-kick flew into the travelling Gooners, Baptista the culprit this time. The final break was altogether more decisive as Baptista set up a simple finish for Adebayor and the young Gunners could celebrate a 3-1 triumph where so often the side has come unstuck.

I'll resist the urge to offer an opinion on the Bolton manager, and his tactics. I will say we have some lads who will make us an outstanding side in the next year or so, and the only way they know of wasting time is to keep the ball moving and not let the opposition have a kick!

The second course of my Valentine treat is also a portion of humble pie. I'm not sure if it was here or elsewhere, but I had suggested that there would be no likelihood of Aliadiere remaining a Gunner next season. I hope I'm wrong.

Bring on Blackburn!