Source: Team_Talk
Derby cup win dedicated to Jack - Wenger
Arsene Wenger dedicated Arsenal's 4-1 extra-time Carling Cup victory at Tottenham to a teenage Gunners fan who died of cancer last week.[LNB] Teenager Henri Lansbury - one of eight changes by manager Wenger - swept the visitors ahead from close range on 15 minutes at White Hart Lane on Tuesday night.[LNB]Robbie Keane, who came on at half-time, scored an equaliser three minutes after the restart to level for a much-changed Spurs side, which saw Brazilian midfielder Sandro make his debut.[LNB]However, neither team could find a winner in normal time, with Samir Nasri's penalty double and Andrey Arshavin's goal sending the Gunners through to the fourth round.[LNB]Wenger dedicated the victory to Gunners fan Jack Chester, who was part of the club's recent Teenage Cancer Trust charity campaign and sadly lost his battle against the disease last week at the age of just 19.[LNB]"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," said the Arsenal manager.[LNB]"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."[LNB]Wenger watched the match from the stands, but was still able to get his messages down to the dugout.[LNB]"We played well in the first half, but were only one goal in front after Tottenham came back. We were for a few minutes in danger, but afterwards took over again, but could not score in the final 20 minutes," he said.[LNB]"Then we got these two penalties, which were penalties, and that was the turning point of the game."[LNB]Wenger had named a strong side for Tuesday night's tie, with the likes of Arshavin and Marouane Chamakh on the bench.[LNB]The Arsenal manager said: "We have got a few reproaches that we did not take the competition seriously, it was a derby and to go out straight away for us would be difficult.[LNB]"We have a momentum going, and it was important not to interrupt it, also some players needed competition."[LNB]Wenger added: "If everybody is fit, I can go as well for this competition.[LNB]"I have always said that the big competition you really count are the Champions League and the [Premier League] championship.[LNB]"I maintain that, but it doesn't mean I don't celebrate when we don't win game.[LNB]"I want to win every single game I play with my team."[LNB]Wenger watched from the stands, having accepted a misconduct charge and fine by the Football Association following his actions at the end of the game at the Stadium of Light, Arsenal conceded an equaliser in the fifth minute of stoppage time.[LNB]"I accepted the FA charge because what I was charged with, I did," said the Gunners boss.[LNB]"I could not deny it, so that is why I took it.[LNB]"I could appeal but thought it was better to get it behind me.[LNB]"It was quite enjoyable to watch it from upstairs. Communication was a problem sometimes but overall it went well."[LNB]Spurs boss Harry Redknapp admitted it was in the end too much of an ask for his much-changed side, but believed it was a worthwhile exercise.[LNB]"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," he said.[LNB]"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.[LNB]"It was a new experience for guys like Kyle Naughton, and Sandro looked all right, he gets around the pitch. I think he is going to be a good player.[LNB]"Steven Caulker - it was his first appearance anywhere near this level and was a good experience for him.[LNB]"I thought it was going to be tough when I saw their team as they looked a bit stronger than us."[LNB]Redknapp may now be tackling the Champions League, but the Spurs boss maintained the Carling Cup is a worthwhile challenge.[LNB]"I wouldn't want to slate the competition," he said.[LNB]"Teams in the middle of the table have a great chance to go to Wembley - they can only win two competitions, the cups, and when they throw one out of the window I don't understand it.[LNB]"It is different for us because we are in the Champions League."
