Wenger's ire takes gloss off Rovers' win

BEATEN and bitter, Arsenal make their exit from a cup competition for the second time in a week.

As Blackburn progressed to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup - where they will face Manchester City at home - Arsenal find themselves needing to win the Champions League to secure any silverware this season.

This was a game too far for Arsenal. It was one match too many for Arsene Wenger's inexperienced side to overcome Premier League opposition.

A game too soon after the demoralising League Cup final defeat by Chelsea.

And, perhaps, one too many for their manager as the repercussions of their loss in Cardiff rumble on,

Arsenal's anger has not subsided. The man Wenger had earmarked to lead his attack at Ewood Park, Emmanuel Adebayor, was banned.

He was suspended for a red card that his manager did not believe should have been given and upheld by the Football Association.

Wenger did not disagree when asked if he was disappointed that Chelsea's English players did not face charges.

It deflected attention from a notable victory for Blackburn, secured by substitute Benni McCarthy's goal in the 87th minute.

It came when Philippe Senderos, who had been outstanding in the centre of defence, was out of position at right-back after Emmanuel Eboue had to be withdrawn.

Then Blackburn's substitutes combined brilliantly. David Dunn picked out McCarthy, who cut inside the Swiss, seemingly uncertain in his new role, to rifle in a quite brilliant shot.

It was his 16th goal of the season and a comparison of the two benches flattered Blackburn.

'We are a bit short at the moment, with the bench we have,' Wenger added. 'We are very, very young. We lost players through injuries and suspensions.'

In total, 10 were absent. Cesc Fabregas was rested - Denilson again proving an able deputy - but the players missed most were the strikers.

Besides the absent Adebayor, Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie were both injured.

'When you lose, there is always a lesson,' Wenger rationalised. 'We are punished because we did not take our chances over two games and Blackburn took the only chance they created over 180 minutes.'

That can be a hard luck story, but it also reflects on McCarthy's clinical finish and Wenger's choices.

Explaining the switch of Senderos, Wenger said: 'We lost Johan Djourou, we lost Eboue, we have no Justin Hoyte. Armand Traore had hamstring problems.'

But he had one of the Premier League's finest right-backs, William Gallas - but opted to leave him in his preferred position in the centre of defence.

It backfired.

There was one tale of defensive excellence as, for the fourth successive game, Blackburn goalkeeper Brad Friedel was not beaten.

It meant Rovers, the first English side to stop Arsenal from scoring at the Emirates Stadium, kept another clean sheet against them.

It shows a rapid improvement after leaking eight in their two Premier League encounters with Wenger's side.

It is rare for Arsenal to draw a blank, and their manager believes they should not have done.

Both Jeremie Aliadiere and Fredrik Ljungberg had penalty appeals rejected.

'We could make a good tape since the beginning of the season,' added Wenger, who believes his side have been refused too many spot-kicks.

'And in the first game, there was a 100 per cent one,' referring to a tackle by Stephen Warnock on Aliadiere.

It could be described as the turning point in the tie. But so could McCarthy's magnificent strike or, as Wenger would insist, the FA's decision to ban Adebayor.

stsports@sph.com.sg