Last minute mix up gifts Birmingham the cup

A last minute mix up between Szczesny and Koscielny allowed on loan striker Martins to give Birmingham the victory as Arsenal lost 2-1 in the final of the Carling Cup which looked set to go to extra time. Both sides had plenty of the ball and plenty of chances to score but both goalkeepers especially Foster(Birmingham) kept their team in the game. It just was not to be as Arsenal still look for their first trophy in 5 years. Arsenal were without Fabregas and Walcott who both sustained injuries in midweek so Rosicky and Arshavin came in, Van Persie started as captain.

In the opening minutes of the game Birmingham could have been awarded with a penalty and a possible sending off for the Arsenal goalkeeper. Szczesny bringing down Bowyer but the linesman raised his flag for offside although Clichy looked to be playing him on.

Arsenal then managed to work the first chance of the game as Nasri found Arshavin on the edge of the six yard box. He was allowed to turn and work the shot off but Foster kept him out.

Arsenal then managed to work another shot as Nasri beat 3 players before firing his shot high and wide from an angle.

28 minutes into the game with Birmingham not really having many chances they took the lead through Zigic. Larsson playing in the corner onto Johnson who flicked the ball towards Zigic right in front of the goalkeeper to head home.

Immediately after the goal Arsenal almost grabbed an equaliser. Sagna playing the ball in from the right onto the head of Van Persie but it went inches wide of the post and the score remained 1-0.

7 minutes from the break Arsenal did get the equaliser and it came from Van Persie. The ball bounced off a defender and onto Wilshere who struck a fiersome strike against the crossbar which came out to Arshavin. He then beat his man before delivering a ball into Van Persie who on the volley put his shot past Foster to make it 1-1.

Just before half time Arsenal almost took the lead. The ball bouncing out to Nasri who struck a curling shot towards goal but Foster made a good save to keep the scores level.

The score at half time was 1-1.

The first chance of the second half fell to Arsenal as Sagna got down the right touchline before delivering a ball towards Rosicky who struck the ball on the half volley but it went just wide.

Birmingham then had their first big chance of the second half. Fahey's first effort being blocked by a defender but it then came back out to him and he struck a shot which rocketed against the post and back out.

Arsenal were pressuring desperately for a winner and they almost got one through Nasri and Bendtner but both efforts on goal were saved brilliantly by the hands of Foster in the Birmingham goal.

Foster then had to make another good save from Nasri. Nasri cutting inside from the left onto his right foot and unleashing the shot but Foster got down well to parry the ball away.

Then with one minute on the clock Birmingham took the lead thanks to a huge mix up between Szczesny and Koscielny. Foster smashing a huge ball up to Zigic who nodded the ball down towards Koscielny who should have just smashed it away but instead left it to the goalkeeper. The ball then bounced off Szczesny and straight into the path of Martins who tapped the ball into an empty net.

The final score ended Arsenal 1-2 Birmingham.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Djourou, Koscielny, Clichy, Rosicky, Nasri, Song, Wilshere, Arshavin(76), Van Persie(68).
Subs: Almunia, Squillaci, Eboue, Gibbs, Denilson, Bendtner(68), Chamakh(76).

Birmingham: Foster, Carr, Bowyer, Johnson, Ridgewell, Larsson, Gardner(50), Ferguson, Fahey(81), Zigic(90), Jiranek.
Subs: Taylor, Murphy, Parnaby, Beausejour(50), Phillips, Jerome(90), Martins(81).

My man of the match: Jack Wilshere (Arsenal) Ben Foster (Birmingham)

Referee: Mike Dean
Attendance: 88,851

Arsenal win to put pressure on leaders

Arsenal got a much deserved 3-0 victory over Birmingham on Saturday evening. Strikes from Van Persie, Nasri and an own goal ensured they kept pressure on Man City and Man Utd in 2nd and 1st places. Arsene Wengar named 8 changes to the side that drew with Wigan by naming the same side that beat Chelsea 3-1. Fabregas returned from suspension and Djourou was once again prefered to Squillaci. Wilshere came back into the side aswell to play on his 19th birthday. Birmingham named a side with former Gunners in it. Bowyer once an Arsenal school boy, Seb Larsson once an Arsenal reserve pushing to be in the first XI and Hleb on the bench all played against their former club. Arsenal had now collected 7 points from a possible 9 over the Christmas period so far but 3 points are much needed as Man City travel to play the Gunners on Wednesday night.

There were early worries for the Gunners as Johnson went clattering into Fabregas, a very similar tackle to the one that Eduardo broke his leg at the same ground a few years ago. Luckily Fabregas came away unscathed. A shake of the head from Wengar thought it should have been a red card.

On 13 minutes Arsenal took the lead. Scott Dann bringing down Van Persie on the edge of the area resulted in a free kick. Van Persie took the freekick and it took a deflection off Bowyer and past Foster into the back of the net.

Then Birmingham were awarded with a free kick. Larsson hit the shot and Fabianski had to make a brilliant save to his right as the ball was curling away from him.

Birmingham were pressuring for an equaliser and should have had a penalty when Van Persie clearly handled in the area.

Van Persie then had a glorious opportunity to put the Gunners 2 up. Nasri finding the dutchman who was in space but fired his effort straight at Foster in the Birmingham goal from 6 yards out.

Before the break Johnson really should have got the equaliser for Birmingham. Jerome flicking on a free kick to him but from just in front of the goal he put the ball over.

The score at half time was Birmingham 0-1 Arsenal.

Wilshere had a good opportunity to bag a birthday goal. Walcott flying down the wing and then finding Nasri who knocked the ball down to Wilshere on the volley but the ball flew just over the bar.

Then finally Arsenal got a second from Nasri. Fabregas running into the box and then finding the frenchman who curled his shot beyond Foster and into the near side of the goal.

Eight minutes later Arsenal secured the victory and made it 3-0. Nasri exchanging passes with Fabregas who then fired a shot at Foster. The ball came off the goalkeeper and then off Dann onto Johnson and into the back of the net for an own goal.

The final score ended Birmingham 0-3 Arsenal.

The teams lineups:

Birmingham: Foster, Carr, Johnson, Dann, Ridgewell, Beausejour(60), Bowyer(69), Gardner, Ferguson, Larsson, Jerome(79).
Subs: Taylor, Jiranek, Fahey, Hleb(60), Phillips(79), Zigic(69), Derbyshire.

Arsenal: Fabianski, Sagna, Djourou, Koscielny, Clichy, Fabregas, Nasri, Wilshere(78), Song, Walcott(78), Van Persie.
Subs: Szczesny, Eboue, Squillaci, Arshavin(78), Denilson(78), Rosicky, Bendtner.

My man of the match: Cesc Fabregas

Referee: Peter Walton
Attendance:24,341