Something happened in North London today. Nothing big.
Some people are pleased, some aren't.
Spurs boss Redknapp accuses Arsenal's Nasri of diving
Spurs boss Harry Redknapp accused Samir Nasri of diving after the Arsenal midfielder won an extra-time penalty to help his side to a 4-1 Carling Cup win. Hmm, I was certain that Chamakh got us both penalties, did my eyes deceive me?
Nasri stepped up to score from the spot and another penalty, followed by an Andrey Arshavin goal, wrapped it up. But Redknapp fumed: "I thought the first penalty was harsh. He fell over. Really, I think he dived for it. "But I thought the game was going to be tough when I saw their team, as they looked a bit stronger than us."
The Spurs manager added: "Once we got to extra time, four of my players were cramped up and out on their feet, I knew it was going to be a difficult half-hour. "I was picking the players I needed to play - I can't keep playing the same people, you end up killing them off in the end. "It was a new experience for guys like Kyle Naughton, and [Brazilian debutant] Sandro looked all right, he gets around the pitch. I think he is going to be a good player."
The Gunners dominated for long periods despite the absence on the touchline of boss Arsene Wenger, banned for one game for his reaction to the equaliser they conceded at Sunderland on Saturday. Wenger was delighted with his side's performance and was left to purr over 18-year-old Jack Wilshere's display in midfield.
"I felt we dominated completely," Wenger reflected. "We played well in the first half, but were only one goal in front after Tottenham came back. "We were in danger for a few minutes, but afterwards took over again and could not score. Then we got these two penalties, which were penalties, and that was the turning point of the game.
"We know that Jack is an outstanding football player. But he can get tackles and give tackles, he's tough. I believe he has an outstanding future. "He just needs to keep well, humble and enjoy his game. "He's much ahead [of where we expected him to be]. But I believe as well that talented players play early. All the big players play early, at the age of 18 they start to play at the top level. "He can handle it. If he can handle it mentally what happens to him there is no problem, he will be a great player."
Wenger dedicated the victory to Gunners fan Jack Chester, who was part of the club's recent Teenage Cancer Trust charity campaign and lost his battle against the disease last week at the age of 19. "We would like to dedicate this game to Jack Chester, a young boy who was head of the Teenage Cancer Trust, and did a press conference with us. He died last Wednesday," stated Wenger. "I would like to have a thought for him tonight, because he was in full power at the start of the season and made the team photo with us. Unfortunately he had a resurgence of the cancer."
Arsenal went ahead when Henri Lansbury slid home before Robbie Keane bagged a leveller, but Nasri's two penalties - the second after a foul on Marouane Chamakh - and an Arshavin drive saw Spurs exit the competition.
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Gibbs injury fear for boss Wenger
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger fears defender Kieran Gibbs has suffered another metatarsal injury after he hobbled out of the win over Tottenham.
The 20-year-old left-back was replaced after 102 minutes of Arsenal's 4-1 Carling Cup victory on Tuesday.
Gibbs missed most of last season and with it the chance to feature at the World Cup because of a similar injury.
"We have to check, that is the only disappointment of the night, because he had a very good game," said Wenger.
Wenger - who served a one-match touchline ban on Tuesday night after admitting a misconduct charge from the Football Association - hopes the prognosis is positive on Gibbs, who was handed his senior international debut in the friendly against Hungary at the start of the season.
"We hope we do not get bad news on Wednesday morning," added Wenger.
"It is a metatarsal again, it is the one next to the one he had broken, the second one, so we hope we have good news on Wednesday morning, because that would be a massive blow to us."
Poor kid, this is awful news if it is actually broken
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Nasri hails Wilshere
Samir Nasri hailed Jack Wilshere after the Arsenal youngster inspired a 4-1 victory at Tottenham in the Carling Cup.
Wilshire provided goals assists for Henri Lansbury's opener and Andrey Arshavin's fourth, while Nasri also scored two penalties early into extra-time.
Afterwards Nasri hailed the 18-year-old's credentials for the England team.
He told Sky Sports: "He's a really good player. Last year when he went (on loan) to Bolton it helped him because he played a lot of games with Bolton. Now he's ready to play and be a good player for Arsenal. And I think England need a player like him. Jack is a wonderful prospect for the future."
Nasri also revealed he had agreed with manager Arsene Wenger that he would take the spot-kicks on Tuesday after Tomas Rosicky missed a penalty against Sunderland on Saturday.
He won the first penalty from Sebastien Bassong before substitute Marouane Chamakh was fouled by debutant Steven Caulker for the second, with Nasri despatching both spot-kicks with aplomb. He added: "I provoked the foul and then I didn't take the penalty (against Sunderland). But after I talked with the boss and said, 'Next time I will take the penalty', and I scored."
Wilshere is now hoping Arsenal can go all the way to Wembley in the competition, but cautioned: "We don't want to get ahead of ourselves. In the last couple of years we fell short. Hopefully we can concentrate on each match as they come and hopefully we can win it."
Samir & Jack's interview here & Arsene's interview here
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Here are some pictures. I tried not to be biased, honestly!
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