The Gunners did it - they beat Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup semis on penalties to eye for the FA Cup after a drought of nine years. They last won the trophy in 2005.
The game was preceded by a minute's silence in memory of the 96 Liverpool fans killed in the Hillsborough disaster, which occurred during an FA Cup semi-final in Sheffield on April 15, 1989.
The game was preceded by a minute's silence in memory of the 96 Liverpool fans killed in the Hillsborough disaster, which occurred during an FA Cup semi-final in Sheffield on April 15, 1989.
The match
between Arsenal and Wigan remained goalless in the first half – it was Wigan’s Jordi Gómez who
took the lead to score the first goal of the day for his team on a penalty in
the 63rd minute of the match. However, the superiority was nullified
by Gunner Mertesacker in the 82nd minutes. Thereafter,
no one could overtake the other till the final whistle blew.
The match was therefore decided on penalties, which Arsenal won 4-2 amid a big roar from the crowd to qualify for the final.
For holders Wigan it was great setback, who had stunned the Citizens in last season's final to win the trophy and were looking forward to defend their title this year.