Wigan Athletic 1-1 Arsenal (AET) Penalties: Wigan Athletic 2-4 Arsenal
Current FA cup holders and newly relegated Wigan Athletic faced an Arsenal side fighting for a top four finish in English football’s top flight. Played under the sacred arch of Wembley Stadium, both teams wanted a final place.
In a first half that was largely dominated by Arsenal, Wigan players found themselves giving their thanks to former England international goalkeeper Scott Carson who really kept them in it in the first 45 minutes. With him saving two efforts from Yaya Sanogo, Carson showed that he really hadn’t lost it over the years.
0-0 at the break and the game seemed relatively even. Even though Arsenal had had the majority of chances. But, the FA Cup God was not letting the game rest as an easy Arsenal victory. The Latics clinched the opening goal of the match thanks to a Jordi Gomez penalty, after Callum McManaman was challenged clumsily by the Gunners centre half Per Mertesacker.
Could the current holders be in with a chance of taking the FA Cup back to Wigan? Or would Arsenal come back to haunt them? It turned out to be the earlier thorn in Arsene Wenger’s side that drew them back level. Mertesacker turning goalscorer after heading in at the back post of Carson’s net.
After full time and then the subsequent period of extra time ended a draw, even with Arsenal hitting the woodwork, dreaded penalties followed and Wigan were up first.
Substitute Caldwell fired well but Fabianski pulled off a great save to deny the Latics an early lead in the shoot out. Arsenal’s number eight Arteta then stepped up and placed his shot in the corner of Carson’s goal. 1-0.
Jack Collison took Wigan’s second penalty, but again, the Polish stopper found a save to match the shot. Kim Kallstrom then had the opportunity to double the Gunners lead, and coolly did so. 2-0.
Beausejour was up third for the Latics and produced a fine penalty, sending Fabianski the wrong way and blasting the ball into the roof of the net. However, with Giroud scoring his spot kick, Wigan’s effort seemed useless. 3-1.
James McArthur provided a glimmer of hope when he struck his penalty straight down the middle. But all Santi Cazorla had to do was score and the Championship side would be going back to Wigan empty handed. Cazorla made no mistake from 12 yards, slotting straight down the middle, sending Arsenal through and Wigan out. 4-2.
