Arsenal 6 Blades 0

[1973Blade]

This week saw the tenth anniversary of our League Cup game at the Emirates against Arsenal. I remember arriving at the game hearing that Arsenal were playing their youngsters and thinking how we had a great chance of getting through.
How wrong I was! We were totally outplayed by a stylish Arsenal team including a 16 year old Jack Wilshere scoring his first goal. A 17 year old Aaron Ramsey and Kieran Gibbs also played. I don't think we have played Arsenal since.

 

[JJ Sefton]

One of the very few times I've left early. We got a thrashing so I went back to the Hen & Chickens at 4-0. I think it was just after we'd been awarded the Tevez cash and the highlight of the night was a song about it to the tune of 'Michael Finnegan'.

 

[WORKSOPBLADE]

I went.

Thankfully got to smoke about 1pm and proceeded to get pissed on southern ale !

Every cloud ....

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

I was there. Wilshere was pretty good, but Vela was magnificent, looked as though he was going to be a real star for years.

 

[1973Blade]

Sadly two of our match day squad that day, Speed and Ehiogu have since passed away.

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

We made them look good that night.

Bit of a freak result.

 

[Guesty]

Sadly two of our match day squad that day, Speed and Ehiogu have since passed away.

Fucking hell, that's a sobering thought.

On another note, that Arsenal team was shit, looking back.

 

[SB_90]

I was only talking about this last month with someone. As we were saying it was 1 of the worst sheff utd games. Because a bit like crewe last night losing 4-1 to man city academy / C team. Its 1 thing to get battered you can sort of handle that being arsenal at home. But our full strength team battered by kids all 17 - 19.

Although in hindsight i can see where the blackwell reign went wrong. where are these 4 or 5 top class English players Blackwell was on about. No wonder the next 4 tournaments were disaster

Fabaniski - Polish
Hoyte - Eng Champ
Djourou - Swiss
Song - Cameroon
Gibbs - Eng Champ
Randall - Eng L2
Ramsey - Welsh
Merida - Spanish
Wilshire - Injured B'mouth & WHU
Bendther - Danish
Vela - Mexican

 

[BushBlade]

This week saw the tenth anniversary of our League Cup game at the Emirates against Arsenal. I remember arriving at the game hearing that Arsenal were playing their youngsters and thinking how we had a great chance of getting through.
How wrong I was! We were totally outplayed by a stylish Arsenal team including a 16 year old Jack Wilshere scoring his first goal. A 17 year old Aaron Ramsey and Kieran Gibbs also played. I don't think we have played Arsenal since.
View attachment 44614

When you look at Arsenal’s team, with the benefit of hindsight, it’s not that surprising they beat us but at the time several were unheard of. Like you, I expected us to just ‘old man’ them.

 

[Trickymicky]

I was there too. I remember our fans singing “England England” and didn’t twig why at 1st. Then I looked at the back of the programme and saw the Arsenal players nationalities! I also remember it being as quiet as the old Highbury Library until they scored.

 

[RedandWhite]

Vela's chip over Kenny still one of the most stylish goals I've ever seen

 

[Carlton Blade]

I was only talking about this last month with someone. As we were saying it was 1 of the worst sheff utd games. Because a bit like crewe last night losing 4-1 to man city academy / C team. Its 1 thing to get battered you can sort of handle that being arsenal at home. But our full strength team battered by kids all 17 - 19.

Although in hindsight i can see where the blackwell reign went wrong. where are these 4 or 5 top class English players Blackwell was on about. No wonder the next 4 tournaments were disaster

Fabaniski - Polish
Hoyte - Eng Champ
Djourou - Swiss
Song - Cameroon
Gibbs - Eng Champ
Randall - Eng L2
Ramsey - Welsh
Merida - Spanish
Wilshire - Injured B'mouth & WHU
Bendther - Danish
Vela - Mexican

That's a ridiculous youth team. Apart from the Man Utd 90s team I doubt there had been a stronger group of 17-22 year olds at one club

 

[Bladepicker]

 

[Pollingtonblade]

Hardly surprising with old ‘muck and nettles’ in defence and ‘traffic cone’ in midfield and semi pro keeper managing us, we were lucky to get nil.

 

[Foxy]

I was there. Wilshere was pretty good, but Vela was magnificent, looked as though he was going to be a real star for years.

Did you sit with us or is my mind playing tricks?

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

Did you sit with us or is my mind playing tricks?

I was sat with you, right next to the Arsenal fans.

 

[JJ Sefton]

About 12 years ago I went to see Enfield Town vs Spurs under 16s in a pre-season friendly. The Spurs kids won 6-1, if I recall. I kept the program and a few years later, when they would have been about 21 or 22, I googled their names. Not one of them had made it at any level as far as I could see.

 

[tomtheblade]

Think this also may be the only time i've ever left a game early.

I think it was 3 or 4 nil at half time. I told myself if they get another i'm going. They duly did so I took off, as did many others. We were queuing to get out of the ground!

Nice stadium though.

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

All goes to show what happens when you leave Sharp on the bench... When will we ever learn?

 

[Yellarbellyblade]

Remember thinking at least the seats are comfortable! Other than that fucking awful trip and performance

 

[SB_90]

That's a ridiculous youth team. Apart from the Man Utd 90s team I doubt there had been a stronger group of 17-22 year olds at one club

very true, now you look I think if im correct, 8 maybe 9 of that 11 did go on to play at a major International tournament. but like man city C team in the old JPT they could be great in 5-10 years but now it was embarrassing to be outclassed by a bunch of kids

 

[Coily]

Vela looked like a world beater that night.

I watched until 80 minutes then went to Finsbury Park for my train home. Once home, I figured a quick pint would cheer me up. Got my pint and sat down just in time to see all six goals on the telly...

Didn't we go on a long unbeaten run after this game?

 

[Camden Blade]

Didn't Vela play in the World Cup for Mexico in the summer. He was outstanding that night. I remember the tickets were really cheap about a tenner and I was able to walk to the ground from home in about 30 mins. Didn't like the Emirates although no queues for refreshments. Wide seats. Some east enders actor was with the arsenal fans near our away corner. Can't remember who but there was some banter with him. But overall awful night. Was tempted to leave early but stuck it out. Best trip to arsenal was the 1.1 draw in the fa Cup in 1995 I think when Dane Whitehouse equalised and we really did celebrate like we'd won the FA Cup. But that League Cup game 10 years ago! Fckn ell!

 

[Grandmanasty]

I worked in London at the time and went with an Arsenal supporting mate. He got tickets for their end although in truth it was like the league of nations with few actual Arsenal fans in evidence.
It was men against boys but sadly the boys were a lot better than we were.
I seem to remember James Beattie being the only one of our players to come out of it with any credit.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

I was there. Wilshere was pretty good, but Vela was magnificent, looked as though he was going to be a real star for years.

Vela looked a class apart, it was ridiculous. Thought he was guaranteed to go onto better things – in reality I think that was probably his best game for them.

 

[allypallyblade]

Yes an arseingly miserable evening all round.

Thanks for reminding me.

 

[Houston_Blade]

I was working down there that day and got a lift with a mate back, shocking result. We got dicked.

 

[I should coco]

Hardly surprising with old ‘muck and nettles’ in defence and ‘traffic cone’ in midfield and semi pro keeper managing us, we were lucky to get nil.

You've not quite got the hang of this Pinchy bingo.

You missed out:
"Only in S2
Hoofwaffe
Kick it hard, kick it high, kick it long
Cap doffing
Dinosaur Dave
Ironside, Ironside"

Now you can shout 'full house'.

 

[Beans]

One of the very few times I've left early. We got a thrashing so I went back to the Hen & Chickens at 4-0. I think it was just after we'd been awarded the Tevez cash and the highlight of the night was a song about it to the tune of 'Michael Finnegan'.

My dad and I were interviewed by some Five Live reporter in the pub beforehand and the first question was "how does it feel to support the richest club in the world?"

I remember looking at Arsenal's teamsheet on the night and thinking "blimey, we can do these"...

 

[Scooter_mcgavin]

I went, was utterly embarrassed. 16 year olds Ramsay and Wilshere ran rings round us.