Arsenal are through to the FA Cup final after overcoming a brave Wigan Athletic team at Wembley following a tense penalty shootout.
50,000 trophy starved Gooners were at the renowned stadium to support their club but they found themselves looking on in disbelief when Jordi Gomez converted a second-half penalty. Pressure was on the Arsenal players and they were knocking on the door from that moment on. They received their reward eight minutes from time when Per Mertesacker headed in at the back post to send the game into extra-time. Chances were few and far between as exhaustion crept in; penalties were due. A convincing display from second string keeper Lukasz Fabianski teed up Santi Cazorla to score the winner and the midfielder did just that. Jubilation amongst the players, staff and more importantly the fans.
Wenger replaced regular choice goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and top scorer Olivier Giroud for Fabianski and Yaya Sanogo, both have featured in the majority of cup games this term. His decision seemed justified straight from the off as Sanago fashioned the first chance of the game. Great link up play between Sagna and Chamberlain on the right allowed the England international to whip the ball in first time, the cross was exquisite but Sanogo’s point blank header was saved well by Scott Carson.
Carson’s bad memories of this ground must have been flooding back before kick-off but the former Liverpool shot stopper played well throughout. He was up again to deny Chamberlain and Sanogo a few minutes later to prevent the Gunners from taking the lead. An Arteta corner was flicked on by Mertesacker towards the interval but Sagna failed to convert into an almost empty net from a tight angle.
Fearful of affording the opposition an early lead, neither side felt compelled to take any risks resulting in stalemate at the break. That all changed when Callum McManaman was brought down by Per Mertesacker on 63 minutes. The big defender has been an imposing figure at the back for his club this season but a reckless lunge gave Michael Oliver no choice. A long wait for Jordi Gomez saw the pressure intensify, if the 28-year-old was feeling the heat he didn’t show it as the Catalan coolly placed the ball into the Arsenal net.
Arsene Wenger replaced the injured Nacho Monreal for Gibbs and Lukas Podolski came off for Olivier Giroud in an attempt to save the game. Despite groans from the crowd the changes seemed to spur Arsenal into life. Sanogo hit the post whilst Gibbs came agonisingly close to nabbing the equaliser but Carson was on hand to rescue the Latics again. This was only to be temporary respite as the all important second goal came from the resulting corner. Cazorla’s ball was met by an Arsenal head but was off target. Club captain Thomas Vermaelen kept the ball alive before Yaya Sanogo touched it on to Gibbs. The left-back scuffed his shot into the ground, the bounce however worked is his favour as he provided a golden chance to Mertesacker who gobbled it up with a header. Redemption.
Extra-time beckoned for the two sides who had already given so much in the previous 90 minutes. Half chances presented themselves to Sanogo and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain but the latter could only hit the woodwork from a thunderous strike from outside the area. ‘Le Prof’ made another substitution, this time with a penalty shootout in mind when Aaron Ramsey went off for Swedish loanee Kim Kalstrom. His only previous 15 minutes in a red shirt came in the draw with Swansea earlier last month and that was perhaps showcased when he completely mishit a volley minutes after coming on.
His presence was later felt during the shootout. Tension was alleviated from the Spartak Moscow man by the time his spot kick was ready to take place due to a double save from Fabianski and Mikel Arteta coming up with the goods just at the right time. Efforts from the Wigan keeper to put Kallstrom off remained fruitless as the dead ball specialist let the net bulging. Giroud and McArthur did the same for their respective sides but Fabianski’s earlier heroics meant that Santi Cazorla had the chance to make it seven penalty wins out of eight for the north London club. The small Spaniard placed the ball down the middle and sent the players into delirium.
Arsenal now have a simply unmissable chance to gain their first piece of silverware since 2005 when they play either Hull or Sheffield United in five weeks time. They need to grasp this opportunity with both hands this time around otherwise it will be their opponents hands on the famous old trophy.