By Rob Deyzel
Try telling 51,000 Gunners fans and 9,000 tractor boy fans that the carling cup is not important! The atmosphere at the Emirates last night was nothing short of magical, and the game itself was full of intensity from both sides.
- Image by Getty Images via @daylife
Many a gunner fan would have been sitting on the end of their seats with nervous anticipation as Ipswich looked to upset the odds. After winning the first leg at Portman road, the tractor boys looked comfortable against the superior premiership opposition of Arsenal. The first half was a battle from both sides. Arsenal were playing the ball forward with intensity and urgency but with little reward,where as Ipswich were happy to try hit the Gunners on the break and test the Arsenal goal keeper from distance. On only 18 minutes Sagna limped off injured to be replace by the inconsistent Eboue. Arsenal first real chance came in the middle of the first half with dutchman van Persie clattering the crossbar with a powerful header. Then a few minutes later Fulop in the Ipswich goal dropped Fabregas free kick, but Bendtner follow up shot was well blocked. The tractor boys stood firm against Arsenal attacking prowess.
The second half was more of the same, they just could not fully break down Ipswich’s defence. Yet finally the breakthrough was found and it was the big Dane to do so on the 61st minute. Bendtner controlled a lovely ball from Wilshere sprinted past Edwards and curled the ball into the net passed the despairing keeper. It was all level. But only 3 minutes later Arsenal were in front. After some more pressure from the home side Arshavin played in the corner and Gunner defender Koscielny smashed in the header. The battle was nearly won. With 13 minutes left on the clock neat play between Russian Arshavin and Fabregas allowed the Gunners captain to pass the ball between Fulops legs making in 3-0. Arsenal through to the Carling cup final at Wembley the home of Soccer!
In what was dubbed as an easy semi final for Arsenal proved somewhat hasty. Ipswich fans will feel very proud of their teams battling preformance as will Gunners fans. A carling cup in the trophy cabinet will be very nice, but more importantly I predicted at the start of the season that Arsenal would win the Carling cup and then use the momentum to lift the EPL. Lets see if Arsenal can do it!
