Gunners shoot down Reds

Arsenal sent Liverpool crashing out of the Carling Cup on Wednesday in an absorbing contest at the Emirates Stadium. Young Gunner Fran Merida opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a thunderous 18-yard shot before Emiliano Insua equalised for the Reds with a superb 25-yard dipping strike seven minutes later. Nicklas Bendtner popped up in the 50th minute to fire into the roof of the net for what proved to be the winner for Arsenal. Both teams fielded line-ups that blended youth and experience but it was Arsenal who were able to continue their impressive record of not having lost to Liverpool at home since February 2000. "Overall it was a game of top quality with two teams who really went for it, played at a high pace," commented Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.