Fixture: Arsenal vs Ipswich Town
Competition:- Carling Cup Second Leg ( Ipswich lead 1-0 from the first leg)
January 25, 2011- 19.45 UK-Emirates Stadium, London.
Paul Jewell will look to repeat the feat he achieved with Wigan Athletic against Arsenal in the League Cup five years ago when he takes Ipswich Town to the Emirates Stadium to take on the Gunners in the second leg of their Carling Cup semifinal tie.
Five years ago, Wigan, who were then managed by Jewell, took a 1-0 lead to the Emirates Stadium for the second leg of their Carling Cup tie. Arsenal won the reverse fixture 2-1, but lost on away goals as Wigan reached the finals of the tournament for the first time.
Arsenal beat Wigan 3-0 in their weekend clash and Robin Van Persie, who scored a hat trick against the Latics, will be keen to have a go at an Ipswich defence that not too long ago lost 7-0 to Arsenal’s great rivals Chelsea.
Ipswich lead 1-0 from the first leg ( which they won under caretaker boss Ian McFarland). Jewell got his first triumph as manager of the club when the Tractor Boys beat Doncaster Rovers 3-2 a few days ago. Ipswich employed a 4-3-3 against the Gunners at Portman Road, but Jewell may go for a more conservative approach at the Emirates.
Wojciech Szczesny will continue to be in goal as Fabianski has not recovered. Expect Arsene Wenger to put out his strongest lineup- with Ipswich, Birmingham and West Ham as the teams left in the competition at this stage, there cannot be an easier trophy for the Gunners to lift this season.
Will Jewell be able to mastermind another cupset? We’ve got to wait for Tuesday night to find out.