League Cup: Owen delighted with brace against Leeds
Owen has been restricted largely to a cameo role in his time with United, but the striker underlined his value with a clinical double on his first start of the season. Owen conceded he would like to be involved more, but admits that he faces stiff competition from within the squad.
“The pressure is on,” he said. “You don’t get many chances and then when you do, it can be a couple of months before you see a pitch again if you don’t perform. You have to prove to yourself and everyone else that you can still perform.”
Owen insisted there were still plenty of miles left in the tank.
“I’m 31 and I still have a few more years left in me,” he said. “As for my goals tonight, one was a miss-hit, and the other one was as sweet as I hit them. It’s always nice to score.”
Arsenal avoid shock exit
Meanwhile, Arsenal avoided a humiliating exit against Shrewsbury as the troubled Gunners came from behind to win 3-1. Manager Arsene Wenger was a relieved man after the crucial win.
“We took a gamble and played a young team,” he said. “It worked because you could see some players, like Oxlade-Chamberlain, have done extremely well and that’s positive.”
Wenger seemed unfazed by the pressure on him and wants to manage Arsenal long into the future.
“I’ve had 14 years at this club and kept them in the Champions League. I hope it lasts another 14,” he said.
Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp was keen to focus on the positives despite falling to Stoke City 7-6 on penalties.
“I was pleased with how some of the kids played, they came in and did a great job,” he said. “Jake Livermore and Tom Carroll in midfield were excellent.”
In other matches, Aston Villa lost 2-0 to Bolton and Wolverhampton Wolves thrashed Millwall 5-0. Blackburn built on the momentum from Saturday’s win over Arsenal as they beat Leyton Orient 3-2.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 22nd, 2011.
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