Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012
The Wenger Boys looked bright in the early stages – but only after Lee Bowyer had a penalty shout denied by a questionable offside call – as Robin van Persie and Samir Nasri looked dangerous. Then Birmingham stunned the Gunners with a 28th minute corner, Johnson knocked the ball back into the mixer where Nikola Zigic nodded the ball past Szczesny. The Blues then could (and should) have gone 2-up but Nikola Zigic saw his effort snuffed out by Szczesny. Arsenal levelled in the 39th minute following a crashing shot on the bar by Jack Wilshere, Arshavin picked up the pieces and crossed into Robin van Persie who cracked a sweet volley into Foster’s far corner. Birmingham came within inches of retaking the lead after the break when Keith Fahey struck the foot of the post. Also in the second half, Ben Foster saved well from Nicklas Bendtner and Samir Nasri. Arsenal suffered the most horrendous screw-up in the 89th minute to lose the final they’d been so widely tipped to win; Koscielny appeared to get in Szczesny’s way as the Pole fumbled the simplest of chances and Obafemi Martins could barely believe his luck as he slotted in the winner at Wembley.
Video Highlights 27/02/2011: Arsenal – Birmingham (Carling Cup)
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Tags: 27/02/2011, arsenal, birmingham, calcio, carling cup, curling cup, curling cup 2010, finale
