Thought this was interesting. I remember we were in the doldrums & completely outclassed by this Arsenal side, who everybody thought would be the bedrock of another all conquering, multi title winning side of the future.
Interesting to note that although there were several top quality playes to come from that group, they failed to create a team & Arsenal's own youth system actually failed to produce one single class PL player. Hoyt is the closest. The rest are all signings from elsewhere.
Arsenal face Manchester City in the 2011 Carling Cup quarter finals and, faced with the expensive might of Roberto Mancini's B-team, it'll be interesting to see whether Arsene Wenger chooses to continue with his tradition of using the competition to try out new players.
They don't always make it in the big time, of course, and our friends over at Sport Magazine have turned back the clock seven years to another Carling Cup tie between these teams back in October 2004, to see what became of that Arsenal team.
The Gunners' famous 49-game Premier League unbeaten run had just been ended and Wenger made 11 changes, giving first team debuts to several players in a 2-1 away win at City.
But where are they now?
Manuel Almunia (then 27 years old)
Made his Arsenal debut in this match, and eventually made the number 1 spot his own after the departure of Jens Lehmann. Unfortunately, a series of howlers and mix-ups saw it slip through his fingers, like so many tame crosses. Currently on loan at West Ham.
JUSTIN HOYTE (19)
Never quite found his place in the Arsenal squad, averaging just over 10 appearances a season in the six he spent there. Signed by Middlesborough for £3m in 2008.
PASCAL CYGAN (30)
A fringe player, he spent four years at Arsenal before moving to Villareal in 2006. Retired from professional football in the summer after being released by FC Cartagena, of the Spanish second division.
PHILLIPE SENDEROS (19)
Also made his debut in this match, after signing from Swiss side Servette in the summer. Came third in the club's Player of the Season poll in 2005. Signed for Fulham on a free transfer after inexplicable loan spells at Milan and Everton.
Jermaine Pennant (21)
Scored a hat-trick on his full Arsenal debut, but was sent out on loan at the end of this season, never to return. He ended up in prison, for drink-driving. Now playing for Stoke. We're not sure which is worse.
Sebastian Larsson (19)
Played out of position at left-back in this, the first of only twelve games he managed for the Gunners. Left in 2006 to join Birmingham, and is now a dangerous set-piece specialist at Sunderland.
CESC FABREGAS (17)
Someone you might have heard of? Became Arsenal's talisman and captain, before leaving in the messiest break up this side of Friends. Now scoring goals, and crucially, winning trophies for Barcelona and Spain.
RYAN SMITH (17)
Left the Gunners after just six cup appearances, then had brief spells at Leicester, Derby, Millwall, Southampton and Crystal Palace before joining Sporting Kansas City in the MLS. Left in the summer and was last seen on trial at Zaragoza.
MATHIEU FLAMINI (20)
Played over 150 games for Arsenal in all competitions, but left for Milan on a free just after really establishing himself in the side. Has been used mainly as a back-up player for the Italian giants.
Robin Van Persie (21)
Scored the first of his many Arsenal goals on his debut here, after signing from Feyenoord for £2.75m. Has played almost 250 games for the Gunners and is now their captain and most important player.
ARTURO LUPOLI (17)
Was another debutant in this game. He scored a barely credible 45 goals in 22 games as a youth player for Parma, but struggled to repeat the feat after signing for the Gunners, and is now plying his trade for US Grosseto in Serie B.
SUBS USED:
DANIEL KARBASSIYOON (20)
Sealed victory for the Gunners with a quite brilliant 90th minute goal, but left for Burnley, and was forced to retire at just 22 due to recurring knee problems. Currently working as Arsenal's North American scout.
QUINCY OWUSU-ABEYIE (18)
Is another player who struggled to break into Arsenal's talented first XI. Had spells at Spartak Moscow and Portsmouth, among others, and is now playing for Panathanikos in Greece.
JOHAN DJOROU (17)
Came on for his Arsenal debut in this match. He is one of just two players from this match day squad who are still at the club and is firmly established as one of the club's key defenders.
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