I know that it was a bad night at the office all round for Arsene Wenger and the players, as Arsenal limped to an emphatic defeat away to Championship side Sheffield Wednesday. But having lost two of the few first team players taken to Hillsborough for this somewhat unwelcome Capital One Cup clash, I do not think we can judge the players too harshly for their performances last night.
In fact I felt sorry for the youngsters like Glen Kamara who were thrown to the wolves in a game against a well up-for-it home side with a fully revved up home crowd urging them on. I also felt for Joel Campbell and despite him not being able to influence the game too much I think he started well.
The Costa Rican was about the only Gunner out there that looked like he wanted to win the game and he made some good runs and showed good skill until his frustration got the better of him. In a better team I think Campbell would have been pretty effective and so I think he deserves another chance on Saturday.
We hope that Theo Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain are not out for long but I assume they will both be unavailable to face Swansea City, so with Giroud and Alexis Sanchez there is a space to fill in the forward line. No Ramsey, Wilshere, Welbeck, Rosicky or the two from last night does not leave Wenger many options, so will Campbell get a taste of Premier League action? And do you think he is up to it?