Carling Cup: Arsenal 2 - 0 Wigan Athletic: Just Enough

Wigan scores Arsenal's first goal. Pic via Daily Mail.

Arsenal 2: Alcaraz 42 (og), Bendtner 67

Wigan Athletic 0

Arsenal's weakest position this season thus far has been in positions of power. They've lost some head scratching home fixtures and capitulated whenever things seemed to be going well. So, now that United, City, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Spurs have all been knocked out of the Carling Cup, it would appear that most major obstacles are out of Arsenal's way. So, let's all knock on as much wood as possible.

For all of the talk of the "strength" of Arsene Wenger's Carling Cup sides this season, he made nine changes to the side that beat Aston Villa on Saturday. Emmanuel Eboue, Johan Djourou, and Kieran Gibbs slipped into the back four, Denilson started in the holding role, Robin van Persie, Nicklas Bendtner, Carlos Vela, and Theo Walcott all started toward the front, and Wojciech Szczesny started in goal.

Strange formation, this. Denilson was in the holding role, Vela was on the left wing, Walcott was on the right, Bendtner was up front, but Wilshere and van Persie seemed to be just roaming around the middle. You couldn't really say it was the 4-2-3-1 that Arsenal usually plays, but it was more like a 4-1-4-1 to me.

Since the game was not televised, I waited until 5:00 to watch the game on ATVO, entering media lockdown mode lest I accidentally find out the score. Now, given the nature of Internet streaming matches, it will be hard for me to be too specific about the events of the match, so instead, here are a few bullet-pointed thoughts:

• Carlos Vela had a rough game, missing a number of chances that should have been sure fire goals...
• ...but with that being said, Arsenal's first goal came off his corner (which was ridiculously headed in by the Wigan defense) and the second was from his cross on the byline.
• Szczesny had less work to do yesterday than he had at Newcastle and that rustiness showed with a few little adventures in the box. It was that situation we've seen too many times this season, where the opposition takes advantage of their first goal scoring opportunity after about 35 minutes because the goalkeeper hasn't really been warmed up for the game. Arsenal escaped a scary goal line situation shortly after taking the lead off a Wigan corner, but that was really about it.
• I have my doubts that Eboue is truly fit after his knee injury; he was dreadful at times yesterday.
• I am becoming more and more impressed by Johan Djourou with each game he plays. His positioning has been excellent and he has done well at the little things. He might be the currently fit defender I trust the second most on this squad, behind the always consistent Bacary Sagna.
• Kieran Gibbs was excellent as well, probably the best player on the pitch.
• Robin van Persie was stellar in a more creative role yesterday; the problem is, all of his absolutely sick back heel passes were to players that completely botched the finish.
• Theo Walcott's pace is still there, but his finishing is not, likely due to the injury layoff. He really needs games.
• And, speaking of the Englishmen, Jack Wilshere was excellent at times, as well.

There you have it. It was by no means a convincing win. Arsenal never seemed to get out of second gear, but they didn't have to. But there have been so many times this season where second gear has not been enough. And second gear will not be enough in the semi-final if they run into a side that wants this trophy more than anything (many of the remaining sides in the cup likely see this as their best/only shot at silverware.)