Arsenal eased into the semi-finals of the Carling Cup with a routine 2-0 victory over Wigan.
Alcaraz own goal and Bendtner secure semi-final place
Arsenal eased into the semi-finals of the Carling Cup with a routine 2-0 victory over Wigan at Emirates Stadium.
In freezing conditions and a constant showering of snow, the home side were always on top of the game and secured their passage thanks to a first-half own goal by Antolin Alcaraz and Nicklas Bendtner's 65th minute second.
Wigan offered little going forward and will be fretting over seeing promising winger Victor Moses withdrawn in the first half needing oxygen on a stretcher.
But the Gunners continued their good record in the competition and are now just one round away from reaching the final, giving Arsene Wenger the chance to land his first piece of silverware since their FA Cup win in 2005.
The snow was coming down heavily, however, the excellent pitch appeared to show little signs of the damage that had seen several games across the whole country called off in recent days.
Arsenal started the game on top, with Bendtner having a glorious chance to score in the second minute with a header, but he completely missed Robin van Persie's brilliant free-kick into the box, allowing the ball to go out for a goal-kick.
It was Wigan who had the next best chance, with Moses causing problems down the left and turning Emmanuel Eboue inside out before lashing a shot low into the side netting.
Carlos Vela then had the easiest of chances as he was fed clean through on goal by a beautiful back-heel by Van Persie, however, his deft flick over Ali Al-Habsi somehow swerved away from the post.
Wenger's men were beginning to find their stride and Wigan were slowly becoming penned into their own half, as Jack Wilshere slowly started to exert his influence on the game in the centre of midfield.
Sour twist
The night then took a sour twist as the talented Moses, who was proving Wigan's best outlet, was withdrawn after going down awkwardly while running with the ball, with his injury looking serious.
Van Persie had a strong claim for handball turned down as he looked to chest Vela's cross, but Maynor Figueroa appeared to control the ball away from the Dutchman with his upper arm. Referee Martin Atkinson gave nothing.
But Arsenal did not have to wait long before taking the lead.
Almost inexplicably and under no pressure, Alcaraz headed Walcott's corner into his own net when surrounded by two of his own players after Bendtner initially failed to meet the cross.
The Wigan skipper almost made amends straight away at the other end, with his header coming at unsighted keeper Wojciech Szczeszny at a fast pace that the Pole had to turn over the bar.
Arsenal had another penalty shout as Walcott danced into the box and saw his cross hit the arm of the hapless McArthur, but the Scot was given the benefit of the doubt.
There was a worry for the Gunners as the second half resumed as Van Persie, only just back from his latest in a long list of injuries, went down needing treatment in the Wigan box, but returned to his feet to the relief of his manager.
In control
Arsenal were firmly in control of possession, with Wigan seemingly unable to build anything effective despite star man Charles N'Zogbia's forced introduction in place of Moses.
And they made their dominance count as Bendtner slid in Vela's excellent low cross from the left hand side to convert at the far post to make it two and put the game out of reach for their toothless visitors.
Vela had the chance to make it three, but Bendtner's ball across the box was just too strong for the Mexican to make good contact, allowing the scrambling Al-Habsi to get across his goal to gather.
Walcott tried to get in on the act as Wigan began to become stretched, side-footing his shot from the left-hand side of the box just around Al-Habsi's far post after another excellent pass from Vela.
The England winger then burst through again on the opposite side, beating Hendry Thomas hands-down for pace, but firing straight at the goalkeeper.
Vela, who was excellent throughout, just could not find the net as he rounded Al-Habsi inside the box, but overran the ball before sliding to meet it and seeing his effort turned off the line.
But it was to matter little as Arsenal played out time convincingly and secured the result many expected before the game.
| Arsenal |
Team Statistics |
Wigan Athletic |
| 2 |
Goals |
0 |
| 1 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 6 |
Shots on Target |
1 |
| 10 |
Shots off Target |
3 |
| 3 |
Blocked Shots |
0 |
| 5 |
Corners |
5 |
| 6 |
Fouls |
17 |
| 1 |
Offsides |
3 |
| 1 |
Yellow Cards |
2 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 86.5 |
Passing Success |
84.5 |
| 26 |
Tackles |
32 |
| 84.6 |
Tackles Success |
78.1 |
| 52 |
Possession |
48 |
| 57 |
Territorial Advantage |
43 |
|
