Henry has played in only two Carling Cup matches in his entire Arsenal career and this is good evidence of Wenger's opinion of the cup. He uses it as a breeding ground for the younsgters and this year they have performed beyond all expectations culminating in a trip to Cardiff and a Cup Final match up with Chelsea. I have watched every televised Carling Cup match this season and I was present for the semi-final second leg victory. I would watch any team wearing an Arsenal strip and will go and watch the ladies team in the home leg of the UEFA Cup against Umea but I chose not apply for tickets for the Carling Cup Final this year.
I tossed and turned for two sleepless nights, mulling over the decison to apply for tickets or not. At one point I convinced myself I'd apply and let fate decide if I got a ticket or not, but then I decided not to. My fear was that I'd pay for the ticket, the travel, for food and drinks but I wouldn't be paying for the best available product from Arsenal.
I've watched Arsenal play in three league Cup Finals, beating Liverpool and Sheffield Wednesday and losing to Luton Town. Similarly, I've seen them play in countless FA Cup Finals but the one common thread in each of these cases is that the manager fielded the best possible eleven players in the starting lineup. My concern with what may turn out to be Arsenal's last ever trip to the Millenium Stadium is that it won't be a fair fight. Chelsea will field their best eleven men but Arsenal won't.
You could argue that at times this season Arsenal have fielded their top eleven players and delivered below par performances. In contrast the youngsters have delivered some of the most exciting and passionate displays in the Carling Cup. Despite this, my gut instinct is that Arsenal's best eleven players would beat any team Chelsea put out and I believe that our youngsters will give them a good run for their money. But something keeps niggling inside of me. I just hope that Wenger doesn't regret leaving the likes of Henry and Rosicky out of the team.
You have to admit... silverwear is still silverwear.
