|
|
|
Gunners scrape past Doncaster into Carling Cup semi-finals
 | | Goal heroes: Gunners goalscorers Quincy Owusu-Abeyie (left) and Gilberto celebrate at Doncaster |
Doncaster Rovers 2
Arsenal 2
(Arsenal won 3-1 on pens)
MANUEL ALMUNIA and Gilberto Silva were the heroes as the Gunners scraped past brave Doncaster to set up a Carling Cup semi-final with Wigan.
Almunia made two saves during the penalty shoot-out at a drama-drenched Belle Vue to send Arsenal through after the scores had ended level at 2-2 after extra-time.
But it was stand-in-skipper Gilberto who had really rescued the Gunners with his 120th minute equaliser just when it looked like they would crash out to the League One minnows.
Gilberto swept home a cross from Emmanuel Eboue in the dying moments of the game after Quincy Owusu-Abeyie had scored earlier for the Gunners in reply to the home side's goals from Michael McIndoe and Paul Green.
And relieved boss Arsene Wenger admitted afterwards his side had been lucky to escape on a night of high drama.
"We were very fortunate to score in the last seconds but we showed good Arsenal spirit right up to the end of the game," said Wenger.
"Ninety-nine per cent of the time when you are 2-1 down with seconds to go then you are out but you have to give credit to my team, and to Almunia who kept us in the game."
Gilberto, Pascal Cygan and young Swede Seb Larsson all converted their spot kicks for the Gunners, and although Alexander Hleb missed, so too did Doncaster's Steve Roberts, Paul Heffernan and Green.
It was the third time this year Arsenal have won a penalty shoot-out after winning the FA Cup Final against Manchester United in May and the FA Cup fifth round replay against Sheffield United in March.
And the win put them within touching distance of another Cardiff showpiece final, although first they have to get past Wigan over two legs in January's semi-final.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|