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Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Bradford City Vs Arsenal 1 - 1 (Live Match)

Nairaland
Nairaland Forum
Bradford City Vs Arsenal 1 - 1 (Live Match)
Dec 11th 2012, 22:17

Bradford defender Curtis Good admits it would be a dream come true to be involved in Tuesday's Capital One Cup quarter-final against Premier League giants Arsenal.

The 19-year-old Australian, who joined the Bantams on loan from Newcastle last month, is poised to make his debut in the competition and says it would also mean a lot to everyone at home Down Under.

``It would be a dream come true because all my mates back home are Arsenal supporters,'' he told Press Association Sport.

``When I said I was coming to Bradford they knew we were playing Arsenal and were excited.

``Even if I'm only on the bench, just to be involved in the game at a packed stadium would be great.''

Good believes it is this calibre of fixture, and the drama generated from cup competitions, that is convincing more players to come over and have trials with English clubs.

``Will more Aussies come over here? Definitely,'' he added. ``The A League is good but you want to play at the highest level possible.

``When you're younger and more ambitious you want to come over here.''

The former Melbourne Heart youngster expects the Gunners to provide a different test to what he has already experienced at Valley Parade, having made his City debut against Brentford in the FA Cup.

``The first 20 minutes was a bit of a shock,'' Good said. ``There were a lot of long balls and it's a big step up from the reserves league.

``It's something you need to experience if you want to make the step up, there's only so much you can learn from playing against teenagers. This league is brilliant for that.''

Good is eligible to feature on Tuesday night but will have to force his way back into manager Phil Parkinson's plans having been left out of the squad that beat Torquay on Saturday.

Winger Kyel Reid (groin) and striker Zavon Hines (ankle) are making good progress but are unlikely to feature, while defender Luke Oliver (Achilles) is out for the rest of the season.

Meanwhile, Jernade Meade insists his fiercely competitive spirit makes up for his lack of height as he targets a third appearance in an Arsenal shirt.

The diminutive left-sided player, who stands only 5'3'' tall, will participate in the quarter-final tie at Bradford after making his debut in the same competition in October.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger views him as a fighter and the 20-year-old academy product agrees.

``That is definitely me. I am small, but I don't get pushed around - I don't give up. What I lack in height, I make up for in my drive and my fight,'' he told the club's programme.

``I feel I can do a job in this position. I'm fast and think I read the game well, although of course I can always improve.''

Meade made his first start in last week's 2-1 Champions League defeat by Olympiacos and will receive further exposure against League Two promotion hopefuls Bradford.

And with his contract set to expire at the end of the season, the versatile Luton-born winger-precipitate-full-back is hoping to impress Wenger.

``I have mixed emotions because we lost to Olympiacos and that is disappointing, but it was a great feeling to make my first start - beyond words really. It was a big leap,'' he said.

``At Reading I came on for extra-time, but I would not have expected to play in the Champions League so soon.

``I grew in confidence as the match wore on and I can do better but hopefully I will get more chances.

``Hopefully the boss will have me in his thoughts for Bradford. I would love to do that, but it is all down to him.

``I need to get my name out there, get people watching me and maybe I can go out on loan soon as well to build up my experience.

``I have so much to improve on, but hopefully the boss sees something in me. This is the last year of my contract and hopefully I can earn another one.''

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud will miss the tie with a back injury.

Theo Walcott (calf), Laurent Koscielny (thigh) and Andre Santos (stomach muscle) are also sidelined.

Wenger will select a blend of youth and experience as he continues to use the competition to expose his second string to first-team action.


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