Arsenal:
Manninger, Vivas, Ljundberg, Wreh, Hughes, Grimandi, Garde, Boa Morte, Grondin.
Substitutes:
Riza, Crowe.
Bring on Chelsea!!! Tonight was a night Asrene Wenger, (the man who knows!!!) decided to rest the Stars and bring out the young guns instead!!!
I was a bit worried about this clash as Derby can be a good side and we have fallen foul of that before. But as it turns out I shouldn't have worried about a thing.
They played badly and we played amazingly to be brutally honest. Well we certainly will have no problems at the back inn the future. We had Grimandi and Upson at the back. Vivas came on for Upson after 70 min and was equally good like a rock in the path of their strikers (?!). Playing along side these two were Grondin who was making his debut.
Our first attack came from the well talented Ljundberg on the only 2nd minute of the game, his flair and confidence on the ball really showed throughout the first half although he faded somewhat in the second. His chance forced Stefan Schnoor into a clumsy challenge which earned him the first booking of the game. Hughes free kick drifted somewhat wide unfortunately.
Hughed was like a kingpin in out central midfield, making superb passes and generally really showing that he was the most experienced of the whole team out there!!!
We deservedly took the lead in the 21st minute. Chris Wreh, who I admire so much, showed some good skilldown the left hand side before passing the ball to Hughes, who's shot was deflected away for a corner.
Boa Morte took the subsequent corner. He floated the ball into the area as Lee Carsley, attempting to clear, headed it into his own net. Dubious, but a goal all the same!!! !-0 to the Arsenal.Almost immediately we went straight onto the attack again, eager to get another goal. The main threat at this period came from (you got it!!!) Ljundberg and surprisingly, Grondin down the left flank.
We were now totally dominating the game, prompting a chorus of boos from the home supporters, but as it were we were given a nasty wake up call when Dean Sturidge whipped in a shot just before the half time whistle. Manninger, who again was having a great game, easily saved.
After the break we continued to dominate the game although Derby could, and maybe should have equalised in the 53rd minute Rory Delap was lift unmarked on the right and elected to cross when a shot looked the far better option. Baiano put the ball in the back of the net but fortunatley was way offside.
A minute later and we doubled the lead. Mendez took a corner on the right and Nelson Vivas headed in at the back post. He made no secret at his delight in scoring a first goal for the Gunners and he definitely deserved it, he was having a great game!!!
Following this Upson got injured and was replaced by Jason Crowe who unfortunately made a slight mess of things to see us concede our goal.Darryl Powell's shot hit the outside of the post with Manninger well beaten, the ball then fell to Sturridge who headed in from close range.
We could have increased our lead through both Ljundberg and Wreh but both missed their chances. But Derby were not finished yet, their goal gave them new hope in the game and they continued to attack our goal. Luckily in the Arsenal way our great (reserve!!!) defence held out to the end.