WENGER CRITICISES STRIKERS AS ARSENAL CRASH OUT TO BURNLEY

First things first – Burnley played well last night and probably deserved their victory. However, as Arsene Wenger points out, the finishing from Arsenal’s young strikers was not to the required standard. In the end, this is probably what cost the team a place in the last four of the Carling Cup.

Speaking about the missed chances, Wenger said that the fact Arsenal had ‘six one versus ones’ but still went on to lose the game, ‘says it all’. Nicklas Bendtner was probably the guiltiest of all the forwards and even though Wenger hasn’t singled him out in public, I imagine a few harsh words were said in the dressing room afterwards.

The Arsenal boss went on to blame the lack of goals on the fact that his players ‘did not have the right focus’ in front of goal. Wenger admitted that Brian Jensen – the Burnley goalkeeper – was in fine form, but still believes that his side should have broken through at some stage.

Had Arsenal grabbed an equaliser before half-time, then this would have changed the game completely and the football odds would have backed the Gunners to go on and win the game in the second half. Even when the score was 2-0, had Arsenal got one back with a few minutes to go – the home side would have been very nervous and therefore vulnerable.

It wasn’t to be though as two Kevin McDonald goals either side of half time were enough to see Arsenal crash out to the Championship side.

With reference to the fact that a goal for the Gunners would have completely changed the complexion of the game – why didn’t Wenger have someone like Robin van Persie or Emmanuel Adebayor on the bench? Arsenal fans have gone over three years without a trophy and should this really be thrown away for the sake of blooding youngsters?

Don’t get me wrong, I admire the youth policy at the Emirates. However, Arsenal had an excellent chance to progress to the semi-finals of a competition and threw it away. With a couple of senior players on the bench, Wenger could have changed things in the second half and perhaps gone on to win the game. Instead though, it is another chance of silverware gone.

Despite his criticism of the striker’s performance, Wenger did actually have some praise for his young players. He said that they were ‘not fazed’ and gave ‘absolutely everything’. Unfortunately though Arsene – they lost.

By Thomas Rooney – A sports writer who blogs about football betting