Third Rd (a) v Tottenham 21/09/10 - won 4-1 aet
Youngster Henri Lansbury gave Arsenal an early lead, but it took two penalties from Samir Nasri in extra-time for the Gunners to eventually see off arch-rivals Tottenham with a 4-1 victory at White Hart Lane - where, in a signal of intent, manager Arsene Wenger had named a surprisingly strong side.
Fourth Rd (a) v Newcastle 27/10/10 - won 4-0
Theo Walcott cemented Arsenal's place in the quarter-finals with a fine double at St James' Park - and unlike later in the season's dramatic Barclays Premier League meeting, there was no amazing comeback from the Toon Army.
Quarter-Final (h) v Wigan 30/11/10 - won 2-0
The Gunners dominated against the Latics, going ahead through an own goal from Antolin Alcaraz before Nicklas Bendtner's close-range effort secured a comfortable win at Emirates Stadium.
Two penalties: Samir Nasri helped the Gunners
past Tottenham at White Hart Lane
Semi-Final First Leg (a) v Ipswich 12/1/11 - lost 0-1
Tamas Priskin fired npower Championship strugglers Ipswich - who had been thrashed 7-0 at Chelsea in the FA Cup and just replaced axed manager Roy Keane with Paul Jewell - to a deserved win over a strong Arsenal XI at Portman Road, after which Gunners skipper Cesc Fabregas hit out at the Tractor Boys' "rugby" tactics.
Semi-Final Second Leg (h) v Ipswich 25/1/11 - won 3-0
Arsenal won 3-1 on aggregate
Arsenal needed an hour to breakdown the stubborn visitors - cheered on by some 9,000 travelling supporters - but eventually secured their spot at Wembley and the chance for a first trophy since 2005 with a fine individual goal from Bendtner, which was quickly followed by Laurent Koscielny's header and then a third by captain Fabregas.
CESC FABREGAS has been left devastated by his Carling Cup final KO but insists: I'll be back at Wembley.
Tomorrow's clash with Birmingham could be the first of three Wembley finals for Arsenal this season. This time, though, skipper Fabregas has lost his battle to be fit to face the Midlanders. He said: "It's hugely disappointing. Maybe my heart was ruling my head when I felt I might play. Now, reluctantly, I must accept I cannot. "Even on Friday morning I had hoped to be involved, even if it was on the bench.
"But the boss, Arsene Wenger, is right and the most important thing is to make sure I get fit as quickly as possible to help Arsenal for the rest of the season. "Let's hope Arsenal could also be playing in the FA Cup and Champions League finals at Wembley. It could be a once-in-a-liftime season. So while it is agonising I can't be with the lads on the pitch on Sunday, I'll be working hard to ensure I am part of the whole adventure." Fabregas, who will see Robin van Persie take over as captain, hopes to be back from his hamstring problem in time for Tuesday week's return Champions League showdown in Barcelona. .... ....
ARSENAL is not about one person - this team more than any other is about the whole group. Tomorrow's Carling Cup final is going to be such an important game in terms of the whole squad's confidence for the rest of the season. We are still involved heavily in the race for four major trophies. I am obviously disappointed to be missing tomorrow's game - but even though I won't be on the pitch I will be kicking every ball from the stands.
Samir Nasri has agreed a new five-year deal to stay at arsenal worth at least £26million. Sunsport understands the mega-bucks contract is worth more than £100,000 a week and is a reward for nasri's sensational form this season. The france international, 23, who had 18 months left on his previous contract of around £60,000 a week, has emerged as arsenal's attacking leader in the first half of this season. The news he has agreed terms will be a massive boost to the gunners ahead of tomorrow's carling cup final against birmingham. Nasri struggled to make his mark after joining from french giants marseille for £12.5million in 2008 and he suffered with a spate of injuries. But this season he has established himself as one of the premier league's top stars and is one of the favourites for the player of the year awards.
Arsène Wenger will not be satisfied if Arsenal win the Carling Cup because he wants more than that from this season. Sundays Final presents the first opportunity for Wenger to win a trophy since 2005 but, with Arsenal still in the hunt for the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup, the manager is eager to strive for further success. For me to be satisfied I must feel that the team must go as far as it can, said Wenger. Why should we limit our ambition at the end of February?
We don't want to win this trophy and then consider the season over. The real quality of the players and me is to go as far as we can. If we don't win the Carling Cup we will continue for the rest. That time has come for us. I think so because we are close in every competition to have a chance of winning and this Cup is the closest one. You reassure yourself when you know you can do things.
Ngoma ya watoto haikeshi!
Arsenal fans....hata Birmingham?hahahahaha,u truly r the biggest dissapointment in english soccer.I swear this is definately one of the best days in 2011.not a single trophy in 6yrs and u say u r big.act according to ur ages and not the size of ur shoes
We came here today to win the game, we didn't want to lose the game. In the last 18 games we lost one at Ipswich in the first leg of the Carling Cup [Semi-Final] and we lost today in the last minute on a very special goal. What the team is overall achieving is absolutely tremendous - that's why we go for every single game to win it. We are on such a long run that it is difficult to take because we are used to winning.
Wivu unawasumbua.
I enjoy the fact we are competing with Manchester United because that means we are in the race, said Wenger. Its difficult to say how we will approach the FA Cup quarter-final. For us it is after Barcelona, for them it is before the Champions League. Our result in Barcelona can have an influence on that as well.
Wenger wins Manager of the Month AwardWenye wivu wajinyonge.