Jewell: Arsenal are the favourites

Last updated : 11 January 2006 By Paul Farrington
Jason Roberts fights with Philip Senderos to see who can pull the funiest face
Paul Jewell

"I could not wait to get them in at half time. It was a strange game in the first half because there was no tempo. We didn't show enough desire or show any energy. It was just a flat game. Our first half was staid and flat, and I was disappointed.

"We started the second half really well, and then the lights went out! When they came back on, we took the game to them and got amongst them more. It was never going to be a classic but I thought we deserved the win.

"I still think Arsenal are the favourites, as it is only one-nil.

"We lost two forward thinking players, and we are now down to the bare bones. We are asking players to play in strange positions, and I think the players deserve great credit for that, certainly in the second half. We were so much more like the old Wigan.

"Scharner gave us that extra spark. He gave us a lift and that energy we needed, and he made a difference. We bought him mainly to play as a centre back but he can play in midfield, and he likes to run all over the park. So that is another string to his bow, and the goal epitomises his performance.

"We now have a hamstring and a groin injury, and that means we are now really stretched. It just shows that we need to try and bring some players in.

"We had fifteen fit outfield players, and now that's down to thirteen. We now have a really tough game coming up against West Bromwich. Certainly David Connolly's got no chance of making that game, and as for McCulloch, if the game was tomorrow, he wouldn't play."

Paul Scharner

"I am really happy. It was important to win this game, and now we have to look forward to the replay.

"I was a little surprised to get the chance early in the first half. The goal was a little bit lucky maybe, but the important thing is that we won. It was a brilliant cross ball from Gary [Teale].

"I am glad I was in the position to make the header. It is one of strong sides to my game, and I got the goal."

Arsene Wenger

"I feel that, in the first half, we had the better chances and in the second half they were on top. They made it more physical, [with] more challenges and of course we are still a bit young to come out of every challenge with the ball. But overall we did quite well at the back.

"What I feel is that we did not create enough going forward and that’s where I felt there was a good opportunity tonight to put them under pressure at the back, because we didn’t do that enough and that’s why we lost the game."

Gilberto Silva

"We did not play our best. It is very hard when you do that and you play against a side with experience who want to get to the Final. But the situation for this game was different. They played at home in front of their supporters so they wanted to push a little bit more.

"We are very disappointed about this result because we want to reach the Final of the Carling Cup. But we have a chance to get through because we play the next game at Highbury and there will be a fantastic atmosphere."

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