I could get used to this

Last updated : 03 December 2008 By Kev Robinson
Kevin McDonald
Kevin McDonald - two goal hero
Arsene Wenger has a huge reputation for finding and nurturing some of the most talented young footballers in the world; and after 12 years in the job the current crop of babes have been touted as his best yet.

The opening quote in this report comes from a 6-0 thrashing of Sheffield United, a team that kept six cleans sheets from their following eight games. Kevin Blackwell was in awe of the opposition at the end of the game, admitting:

"We knew they were a good set of lads at Arsenal, but nobody knew how good they were. They were awesome at times and would have beaten most teams."

And Wigan boss Steve Bruce was forced to admit his team was outdone by a group of 'wonderfully talented players' as they ran riot with a 3-0 win over the Latics.

So with nine goals in two cup games against strong opposition, they had every right to feel confident of progressing to the last four of the Carling Cup. But after knocking out the might of Chelsea, and with Owen Coyle at the helm, so did we.

The snow had been falling for hours, and was deeper than we had seen for some time. Many of the local workplaces, schools and colleges had been closed and there were even doubts for some fans as to whether the game would go ahead. However, pictures of the pitch on Sky Sports News soon calmed the nerves on that front, the next big challenge was actually getting there.

We set off over an hour earlier than usual but got into Burnley with plenty of time to spare and got into Turf Moor to see a fantastic sight. Not a spare seat was to be seen, and all four stands were rocking. David Platt was sat in the green box in the corner and as the players came out of the tunnel this was it. Yet I was surprisingly calm.

We had already excelled with the Chelsea game and anything now was a bonus. And the visitors were strong favourites to run out a comfortable win. There was no pressure on us at all and I don't believe that even a heavy defeat would have dented any pride.

Maybe calm is the wrong word, more fearless maybe. Along with the rest of the ground I was bouncing, cheering on the Clarets with great pride. But none of us could have envisaged what happened in the sixth minute.

Some good play between Robbie and Eagles resulted in... well I don't think I need to tell you what happened, but for those not there I can assure you that the moment Kev McDonald got the ball, Turf Moor held its breath in disbelief. Little old Burnley were a matter of yards away from an open goal against another of the big four.

Less than a minute earlier cries of 'BEAST' swamped the atmosphere around the Turf as he produced the first of a string of splendid saves from Bendtner's pink boots. And soon after those cries were heard again- as Vela and Randall both tested the big Dane's gloves after another effort from the masculine one.

Brian Jensen has been all over the TV and papers for the last few weeks and that will continue after another sparkling display last night, and rightly so after two brilliant performances against Chelsea and Arsenal.

But it's no different to what he's been doing all season and he appears to be in the form of his career, He's certainly never been close to being this consistently superb in his time with Burnley. I was among many Clarets who were disappointed he was given a new contract in the summer but he has come back a new player this campaign and he looks to be loving it as much as we are.

Arsenal's kids are clearly very talented and the Beast would have had a lot more work to do if it wasn't for the ten Clarets in front of him performing out of their skin. Alexander was protecting the back four again and giving the Arsenal kids, many of whom were not even born when he made his professional debut, real trouble as they attempted to get forward.

And Alexander apart, a midfield containing Eagles, McCann and McDonald not only had the youthful exuberance of those they were battling again, but much more with strength and experience giving them the edge as we controlled the middle of the park.

I couldn't quite believe that we'd got to half time having controlled the game and well deserving of a one goal lead. Even more surprising was that I was actually telling myself "If we can just keep it steady for another 45 minutes..."

It didn't take long for me to doubt that we could do that. Minutes into the second half and Fran Merida skipped past three or four Burnley defenders in the box as if they were not there at all. His curling shot, however, crept just past the post and the relief was clear to see on Jensen's face up on the big screen.

Burnley scored.

The goal came as quick as it was unexpected. Not unexpected in the grand scheme of things, we were creating as many chances as them, if not more. But it came from a throw-in in a position that should not really have caused Arsenal any problems. However, displaying maturity and experience beyond his years, 20 year old Kev McDonald spotted a space behind a group of Arsenal players, ran into it where he collected Eagles' quick distribution, shrugged off Randall like he was made of cotton and hit the ball into the bottom corner. I didn't realise just how good a finish it was until I saw the replay on the tele this morning as I missed the 'Hippo' replay on the screen at the ground due to over celebrating.

Later, Martin Paterson headed towards goal and when Fabianski could only parry, for a brief moment there was hope of a sensational third, but as it was the Polish keeper recovered in time.

I might go into detail here about further incidents and chances but, to be honest, I can't really remember much after that second goal. I don't even remember the final whistle going. But I do recall the magnificent support from the crowd as the players made their way back into the tunnel. The great feeling of pride, and the numbing of my right leg as my phone seemed to be on constant vibrate.

And so that was it. It still hasn't sunk in. I could really get used to this. Most football fans expected a repeat of the maulings Arsenal provided in pervious rounds.

Burnley had other ideas.