The League Cup: Not pointless to all (part 2) (video)
My last League Cup blog discussed how Luton Town’s triumph in 1988 showed us how the competition is valued by some fans. My next League Cup case study involves the team that Luton played in the final on that faithful day, Arsenal.
Although Arsenal might have a slightly different memory of the competition, they value it in their own way. Arsenal hold the record for the most runners up medals in the competition. Between 1968 and 2011 arsenal have reached the final no fewer than 7 times, losing on 5 occasions. The most recent defeat in 2011 was particularly painful for the Gunners, looking to end their six-year trophy drought against an inferior Birmingham side.
However, for Arsenal fans, the League cup isn’t necessarily about winning or losing, it’s about nurturing young talent. Whereas some people frown upon those who play weakened teams, I see it as a way of giving academy players a chance to play first team football.
Over the years, Arsenal youngsters have been allowed to flourish in this competition, Cesc Fabregas one of the notable names to come through the youth ranks and make their debut in this competition.
To see the success of this ideology you only have to look at tomorrow night’s fixture against Coventry City. Despite this game being a midweek fixture against a team two tiers below them, the game is a sell out. Again, do these stats suggest that the League Cup is unimportant?
Tom DiMaio
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