Tottenham Hotspur 1 Arsenal 4 (aet): Samir Nasri at the double as Gunners rip sloppy Spurs to shreds in extra-time rout 

By Matt Lawton for the Daily Mail Chief Football Correspondent at White Hart Lane
Updated: 04:18 EDT, 22 September 2010

Had Arsene Wenger been on the bench, rather than poking his nose over the barrier that marks the front of the directors' box at White Hart Lane, he might have been tempted to hug the fourth official before whispering sweet nothings in his ear.

Because after seeing Lee Probert allow a Robbie Keane equaliser that should have been disallowed for offside, the referee had the courage and composure to award two extra-time penalties that enabled Samir Nasri to secure a memorable Carling Cup victory for Arsenal against their fiercest rivals.

Wenger must have gone through the full spectrum of emotions on the evening he chose to serve his one-match touchline ban for his furious response to Sunderland's late equaliser at the weekend.

Spot on: Nasri scored twice from the spot in extra-time as the Gunners eased into the fourth round

If there was elation at Henri Lansbury scoring his first goal for the club 15 minutes into his full debut, Wenger would have felt anger towards the officials and his error-prone goalkeeper, Lukasz Fabianski, in equal measure when Keane struck shortly after the break.

Add the difficulty of communicating with his bench because of poor mobile phone reception, and it must have been even more stressful than usual.

But then came those two extra-time penalties, after little more than 30 seconds and then four minutes into the first period, and a super goal from Andrey Arshavin to underline Arsenal's dominance.

Like the victory, the penalties were richly deserved even if Nasri might have gone down a touch too easily under the foul challenge by Sebastien Bassong.

The Tottenham captain for the night, Bassong real ly should have known better than to pull on Nasri's shirt in the box.

Enlarge  

Now you're Gunner believe us: Lansbury (left) wheels away in delight after firing Arsenal ahead, with Gibbs and Wilshere in support

Bassong said: 'He went down too easily. I didn't think it was a penalty and I told him afterwards. It leaves a bad taste because in extra time I think we could have achieved something.'

That Steven Caulker then dragged down a rapidly advancing Marouane Chamakh less than four minutes later must have infuriated Harry Redknapp. It amounted to self-destruction on a grand scale, his team's failure to then respond to the quickly taken free-kick that Arshavin scored from in the 105th minute only adding to the Tottenham manager's pain.

Redknapp said: 'I thought the first penalty was harsh but the second was blatant. It was Caulker's first appearance anywhere near this level and was a good experience for him.'

For Wenger it ended up being far more pleasurable, though the evening was still tinged with sadness.

He said: 'We would like to dedicate this game to Jack Chester, a young boy who was head of the Teenage Cancer Trust charity and died last Wednesday. I would like to have a thought for him tonight because he was at full power at the start of the season and made the team photo.'

Equaliser: Second-half substitute Robbie Keane drew Spurs level shortly after the interval

In making nine changes to the side that drew against Sunderland, Wenger picked a stronger-than- expected team that boasted an interesting blend of youth and experience and they played some super football .

The young English contingent of Lansbury, Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs, who hobbled off after 102 minutes with a suspected metatarsal problem, were particularly impressive.

Signed initially from Norwich and educated at Arsenal's brilliant academy as well as Watford and Scunthorpe, where he was sent on loan, Lansbury was quick to show why Wenger has said 'he will be a big player'.

All smiles: Arshavin makes it four at White Hart Lane to the delight of his team-mates

The 19-year-old attacking midfielder from Enfield was excellent, demonstrating exactly why he has already appeared for the England Under 21 side, having captained his country at Under 19 and Under 16 level prior to that.

Central to everything, though, was Wilshere, who against the imposing figures of Sandro and Jake Livermore proved that size doesn't necessarily matter. As well as a fine passer of the ball he is a fierce competitor. A great prospect for the future for club and country.

Nasri certainly thinks so. He said: 'He's a really good player. Last year when he went (on loan) to Bolton it helped him because he played a lot of games. Now he's ready to play and be a good player for Arsenal. England need a player like him. Jack is a wonderful prospect for the future.'

Lifted by a moving tribute to the late, great Bobby Smith, the atmosphere was terrific here. But it soon became more uncomfortable for the home supporters with Spurs struggling to gain possession.

Arsenal's opening goal was superbly executed. A lovely touch from Tomas Rosicky was followed by a super ball across the face of the Tottenham goal from Wilshere and it was Lansbury, sprinting off the right flank, who arrived at the far post to convert the simplest of finishes.

Tottenham's fans met the sound of the half-time whistle with a chorus of boos - not much of a welcome for the two Tottenham players making their debuts, Sandro and Stipe Pletikosa - but Redknapp responded by sending on Keane and Aaron Lennon at the start of the second half.

Within three minutes Keane had scored, thanks in no small part to the officials and Fabianski. While the Irishman was offside when Kyle Naughton released his pass, Fabianski should have saved a fairly weak shot.

Keen to win the game inside 90 minutes, Wenger eventually sent on Chamakh and Arshavin. And, in the end, both played an important part.

Up in the stands: Arsene Wenger watched from the directors' box on his ban

But it was the pressure that Arsenal continued to apply, and the reckless nature of Tottenham's defending, that ultimately made the difference. As well of course, in the opinion of Wenger, those marvellous match officials.