Arsenal: The Road to the Carling Cup Final
Arsenal and Birmingham go head-to-head on Sunday for one of the smallest cup prizes of the season, the Carling Cup.
Nevertheless, both teams have massive initiative for winning the trophy, and I am focusing this piece on Arsenal FC.
It's been five years and nine months since Arsenal last picked up silverware. The FA Cup against Manchester United was the last time the fans saw an Arsenal captain lift a trophy with pride.
Time has come again for Arsene Wenger to add a new trophy to his collection.
The game on Sunday will be tough for Arsenal, especially without Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott, but the Gunners still have enough quality in their team to win the game.
However, expect Birmingham to test Arsenal to the max through the areal threat of Zigic.
So Sunday will be a memorable day for both set of fans. This is how the Gunners made it to the final....
Third Round of Cup: Tottenham 1- 4 Arsenal
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Arsenal stormed into the fourth round of the Cup with a victory over North London rivals Tottenham, at White Hart Lane.
Henri Lansbury marked his first start with the opener before Robbie Keane forced the game into extra-time.
Samir Nasri stepped up to take two penalties in the first four minutes of the first half of extra-time and Andrei Arshavin made sure of a win by firing low in the bottom corner.
It was an emphatic game at the Lane, where both teams gave their all and made it a classic cup tie.
Questions were raised about the penalty decisions given to Arsenal, but in the end Arsene Wenger's men held their nerves to go through.
Fourth Round: Newcastle 0-4 Arsenal
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Arsenal strolled into the quarterfinals of the cup with a convincing victory at St James Park.
It was a game dominated by Arsenal chances at the Newcastle goal. The home defence kept the Gunners at bay until seconds before halftime.
Walcott's corner was headed goalwards by Bendtner and the clearance from Ryan Taylor, rebounded off Krul to give the away team the lead.
Bizarre goal, to say the least.
Arsenal's second goal came with controversy. Bendtner was miles offside when the ball was played over the top. But Theo Walcott sprinted from an onside position and lifted the ball over the Newcastle keeper, leaving the home team feeling angry at the linesman.
With Newcastle looking to come back into the game through Andy Caroll and Jonas Guiterrez, it was Arsenal who punished them on the counter.
First, Bendtner fired in a shot into the top corner before Walcott finished a slick move in the dying stages of the game.
QuarterfInals: Arsenal 2-0 Wigan
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Arsenal reached the league cup semifinals with a two-nil victory over Wigan at the Emirates.
It was a record 14th time the Gunners had reached the semis of the competition. It was a snowy night in North London and a slow start for Arsenal.
But the Gunners eventually took the lead when Alcarez headed into his own net following Theo Walcott's corner.
In the second half, Arsenal came out guns blazing and Bendtner doubled the lead following good work from Carlos Vela. Walcott and Vela had many chances to send Wigan packing but were wasteful. Arsenal finished the game very much on top.
The major discussion on the night was the return of Robin Van Persie, who started and captained the side, for the first time since August 28.
The Dutchman showed his vision and flair throughout the night by creating chances and getting into dangerous positions.
Semifinal 1st Leg: Ipswich 1-0 Arsenal
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The shock in the world of football.
Struggling Ipswich Town, who sacked their manager Roy Keane in the week leading up to the game, caused a major upset.
New manager Paul Jewell watched his team peg Arsenal back and take a one goal lead into the second leg.
The game at Portman Road saw Arsene Wenger start with strong team, but Arsenal failed to sparkle. Instead, Tamas Prskin ran the show.
Ipswich started the game on the back of a 7-0 crushing defeat to Chelsea, and Arsenal's early start proved it may be a miserable night for the home side. The away team poured forward through Theo Walcott, but to no avail.
Just before the break, Ipswich thought they had scored when Priskin's overhead kick was in the goal, but no. The linesman ruled it for offside and rightly so.
In the second half, Arshavin and Fabregas were wasteful as Arsenal looked to open the score. On the hour mark, Priskin's first real chance of the night. The ball flew over Koscielny sending the Hungarian clear. Priskin hesitated as the ball bounced, and Djourou ran in to put him off, sending the ball inches over the Arsenal goal.
Fifteen minutes from time and Gibbs crossed from the left. The ball evaded Chamakh and came to Fabregas. The Spaniard was not expecting it as the ball bounced off his knee and flew over the bar.
Almost straight after, Healy pinged a ball to Priskin. This time the striker held off Djourou and ran goalwards. He slotted the ball into the far corner, sending the home fans in ecstasy.
Ipswich almost stole a second through Carlos Edwards, but his shot was well saved by Szczesny.
SemifInal 2nd Leg: Arsenal 3-0 Ipswich
5 of 5Arsenal are in the Carling Cup final.
The Gunners turned around a one-nil deficit to set up a tie against Birmingham City at Wembley Stadium. They produced a storming display as Bendtner, Koscielny and Fabregas sent the Emirates into frenzy.
Ipswich heroicism from the previous leg was still on display, as Pau Jewell's men suffered from an Arsenal onslaught right from kick off.
Robin Van Persie headed onto the bar after an inviting cross from Bendtner midway through the first half. Fabregas tested Fulop with a free kick and Bendtner saw his rebound shot blocked.
Ipswich were defending like warriors. The Emirates crowd not happy by the what they saw. After the break it was a similar story, Arsenal possession but just could not break down a well-organised team.
And then came that goal....
Nicklas Bendtner produced one of the best goals scored by the Dane. Jack Wilshere launched a crossfield ball to the Dane, who took it on the outside of his right foot, ran towards goal and cut inside the defender before curling his effort into the bottom corner. It was magical.
Relief all around North London....
Arshavin drove in a corner and Koscielny lost his marker and jumped in front if Fulop to head in and turn the game on its head.
With 10 minutes to go, Fabregas and Arshavin combined with the Spaniards finishing off the move with a driving shot through the legs of the Ipswich goalkeeper.
The fans sang "We are going to Wembley," and they are.
The Gunners have a tough game but a strong Arsenal team will play and this game will be a classic Carling Cup final.
