Arsenal will be looking to overturn a 1-0 deficit when they host Ipswich Town in the Carling Cup Semi-Final Second Leg.
Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas was critical of the tactics of Ipswich in the first leg at Portman Road. Fabregas described the ploy used by Ipswich as a mixture of “long ball” and “rugby” when talking to BBC Sport.
Fabregas and his teammates will likely face a similar approach again, and must accept it and break down Ipswich if they hope to make a Cup Final and have a shot at ending their five year trophy drought.
Arsene Wenger was less quick to make excuses, and will be expecting
better of Fabregas and his teammates. Wenger described the 1-0 first leg defeat as “naïve.” Wenger did tell BBC Sport he was confident the Gunners will turn it around in the home leg, though he will be rotating his squad to do so.
Wenger sexplained how the congested fixture list of January has left him with “no choice” but to rotate his squad after the recent 3-0 Premier League win over Wigan Athletic. This means players like Marouane Chamakh, Denilson, Andriy Arshavin and Nicklas Bendtner will all be in contention to start.
Ipswich Town will be led into the game by Paul Jewell, who replaced caretaker manager Ian McParland after the first leg. Jewell has no fresh injury concerns, but is unable to field Lee Martin, who is cup-tied after playing for Charlton Athletic earlier in the competition.
The away goals rule will come into play if this game is level after extra time. This means if Ipswich can score once, then Arsenal must score at least three goals to beat them without penalty kicks.
Fabregas and his teammates will likely face a similar approach again, and must accept it and break down Ipswich if they hope to make a Cup Final and have a shot at ending their five year trophy drought.
Arsene Wenger was less quick to make excuses, and will be expecting
better of Fabregas and his teammates. Wenger described the 1-0 first leg defeat as “naïve.” Wenger did tell BBC Sport he was confident the Gunners will turn it around in the home leg, though he will be rotating his squad to do so.
Wenger sexplained how the congested fixture list of January has left him with “no choice” but to rotate his squad after the recent 3-0 Premier League win over Wigan Athletic. This means players like Marouane Chamakh, Denilson, Andriy Arshavin and Nicklas Bendtner will all be in contention to start.
Ipswich Town will be led into the game by Paul Jewell, who replaced caretaker manager Ian McParland after the first leg. Jewell has no fresh injury concerns, but is unable to field Lee Martin, who is cup-tied after playing for Charlton Athletic earlier in the competition.
The away goals rule will come into play if this game is level after extra time. This means if Ipswich can score once, then Arsenal must score at least three goals to beat them without penalty kicks.
