Arsenal’s nine-year trophy wait nearly over after penalties victory sends Gunners to FA Cup final

Arsenal have reached the FA Cup final (Picture: EPA)

Arsenal have reached the FA Cup final after a hard-fought victory over Wigan at Wembley, with the game going all the way to penalties.
The Gunners are still on course to pick up their first silverware in nine years and will meet either Hull City or Sheffield United, who play their semi-final tomorrow.
Wigan looked as though they would manage yet another Cup upset when Jordi Gomez gave them a second-half lead from the penalty spot, after Per Mertesacker fouled Callum McManaman.
But the German defender made amends eight minutes from time when he headed home from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s wayward shot.
And it was Oxlade-Chamberlain who came closest in extra time, rattling the outstanding Scott Carson’s bar with a stinging effort from distance.


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Jordi Gomez gave Wigan the lead (Picture: Getty)

But Wigan wouldn’t roll over and took the game to penalties. The extended match meant ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent was delayed, but the Latics’ performance surely would have earned four ‘yeses’ from Simon Cowell and co.
However, their FA Cup final dream came to an end in the worst possible manner.
Both Gary Caldwell and Jack Collison saw their spot-kicks saved by Lukasz Fabianski, while Mikel Arteta and Kim Kallstrom scored for the Gunners.
Wigan got off the mark through Jean Beausejour, but Olivier Giroud made it three from three for Arsene Wenger’s men.
And although James McArthur found the back of the net, Santi Cazorla’s inch-perfect penalty ensured Arsenal will be returning to Wembley next month.