Together: the story of Arsenal's unbeaten season by Mangan Andrew & Allen Andrew

Author:Mangan, Andrew & Allen, Andrew [Mangan, Andrew]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Portnoy Publishing
Published: 2014-05-18T21:00:00+00:00

24 JANUARY 2004

ARSENAL 4 – 1 MIDDLESBROUGH

FA CUP 4TH ROUND

In the absence of the rested Thierry Henry, unavailable Kanu and injured Sylvain Wiltord, Freddie Ljungberg is pressed into striker duty for the latest showdown with Middlesbrough. Playing off Bergkamp and ably supported by Pirès and Parlour, the Swede duly delivers two goals in a comfortable 4-1 win but it’s an exquisite goal by young David Bentley that steals the headlines.

Replacing Bergkamp for the final six-minutes he emulates his Dutch hero by jinking onto his left foot and digging out a delicate chip from the edge of the box, leaving Mark Schwarzer clutching at thin air. As the ball nestles in the net he’s mobbed by his teammates while the crowd, clearly caught up in the moment, even deem the nineteen-year-old worthy of Bergkamp’s ditty, merrily chanting ‘Walking in a Bentley Wonderland’.

It’s a moment to treasure for a player who has been on the books at Highbury since he was twelve. Wry smile etched on his face, Arsène Wenger later says: “I believe that he has a bit of the characteristics of Bergkamp, who is his idol. If a young boy comes on for five minutes and chips the keeper, you cannot say he lacks confidence.”

Prior to Bentley’s injury-time party piece, the Gunners put in a very assured performance. On nineteen minutes a deflection off Chris Riggott helps Bergkamp find the top corner following tenacious work by Parlour and though the visitors equalise three minutes later through Job, Ljungberg’s first strike of the afternoon, a low finish following some quick feet in a crowded box, ensures the Gunners reach the break in charge. The Swede settles the tie on sixty-eight minutes, heading a Pirès corner over the line despite the best efforts of Mendieta. To compound the misery for Steve McClaren, his side are reduced to ten men when George Boateng receives two yellow cards inside sixty seconds.

Arsenal:

Lehmann, Lauren, Touré, Campbell, Cole, Parlour, Vieira (Clichy 75), Edu, Ljungberg, Pirès, Bergkamp (Bentley 84). Subs not used: Keown, Stack, Owusu-Abeyie.

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