Live Text isn't live anymore, this is a record of the match events.
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Full Time All over: The referee blows his whistle.
90
LAST CHANCE?: Arsenal throw the ball into the box but Birmingham clear.
90
BIRMINGHAM THROW: Right in the corner, this is not where Arsenal want it. But Szczesny has the ball and it’s a goal kick
90
CAN ARSENAL FIND AN EQUALISER?: The ball is down the wrong end for that at the moment, Birmingham have it
90
Substitution Birmingham change: Jerome for Zigic
90
A mix up between Koscielny and Szczesny gifts the ball to Martins who taps into the empty net
89
Yellow Card Booking for Ferguson
89
Yellow Card Booking for Jerome
89
GOAL! - Obafemi Martins 2 : 1 Goal for Birmingham: Martins has scored
86
ONE PASS TOO MANY: Rosicky has a shooting opportunity but tries to feed Chamakh, who can’t get on the end of it
85
TIME FOR HEROES: Who can write their name into Arsenal legend forever?
83
ROSICKY TRIES TO FEED WILSHERE: Jack makes a great run through the middle but can’t quite get 0n the end it
81
Substitution BIRMINGHAM CHANGE: Martins on for Fahey
80
ZIGIC NEARLY IN: Carr whips in a deep cross from the right and Zigic, at the back post, loses Djourou but can’t reach it
79
NASRI SHOOTS: But Foster again makes a good save from his 20-yard effort
78
WHAT A CHANCE: Chamakh, with his first involvement, beats Jiranek down the left and squares for Bendtner whose touch runs away from him, but falls for Rosicky. He tries to flick the ball in but Birmingham scramble it away
77
FOSTER CLAIMS: From a high cross, it’s Arsenal doing all the pressing here
76
Substitution THERE’S THAT CHANGE: Chamakh for Arshavin…
74
ANOTHER SUPERB SAVE: Bendtner cuts in from the left and hits a rasping effort straight at Foster
73
GRAET CHANCE: Nasri forces a great save from Foster (with his face) and then Rosicky’s cut-back is cut out
72
CHAMAKH GETTING READY: It looks like another Arsenal change any minute
71
BENDTNER LOOKS TO GET ON THE END OF IT: Great vision from Arshavin sets the Dane on his way through the middle but Johnson covers well to clear
70
NASRI SHOOTS: But his effort is tame from the edge of the area and Foster makes a comfortable save
68
Substitution VAN PERSIE COMING OFF: Bendtner is his replacement. What do you make of that Arsenal fans? Get your comments to us via www.arsenal.com/studio.
67
QUIET ALL OF A SUDDEN: For practically the first time in the game, a few minutes pass by with no chances of note
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BENDTNER STRIPPING OFF: The Dane’s introduction looks imminent
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YET ANOTHER LONG BALL: Foster pumps a high ball towards Zigic and, yet again, he wins the header. But this time, no one is there in a blue shirt and Arsenal clear
64
ZIGIC FLICKS ON: From a Foster long ball, Fahey reacts quickest but can’t bring the ball under control from Zigic’s header
62
JOHNSON DOWN: There is a break in play as the Birmingham defender receives treatment
61
SUBS WARMING UP: Chamakh, Denilson and Bendtner go through their paces away to my left
60
SZCZESNY CLAIMS WELL: At his near post, the goalkeeper gets there ahead of Bowyer and gathers with assurance
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What have you made of things so far? Get your comments to us via www.arsenal.com/studio.
58
ARSENAL PRESSING: The Gunners win a couple of corners and, for a moment, Birmingham panic when two defenders leave it to each other. But Arsenal can’t capitalise and Arshavin’s cross drifts behind
57
FAHEY SMACKS THE POST: The ball ricochets nicely for him on the edge of the area and, first time, he drills an effort onto the inside of Szczesny’s right post. What a let off...
56
SECOND HALF: Nothing to choose between the teams so far
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ARSHAVIN GETS TO THE BYLINE: But can’t find Van Persie in the area
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IMPORTANT FROM KOSCIELNY: He heads behind under pressure from that Larsson free kick and Birmingham win a corner, which the French defender clears
53
Yellow Card CLICHY BOOKED: He blocks Fahey and gets a yellow card. It gives Larsson a chance to deliver from the right.
52
FLOODLIGHTS COME ON: All of a sudden, Wembley is a bit brighter
51
NASRI WINS A CORNER OFF JOHNSON: But the Frenchman can’t beat the first man and Larsson clears
50
Substitution BIRMINGHAM CHANGE: Gardner is replaced by Beausejour. And he doesn’t look best pleased about it either
49
OH, SO UNCLUCKY! Van Persie releases the overlapping Sagna down the right and, after looking up, cuts the ball back to Rosicky on the edge of the area. First time, he half-volleys inches wide of the left-hand post. Great technique… and that wasn’t far away
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WILSHERE HEADS AT GOAL: But his effort loops harmlessly into the arms of Foster following Sagna’s cross
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DJOUROU DOES WELL: He calmly heads to Clichy under pressure from Zigic after another long ball
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TACTICS: No alterations to the Arsenal formation either
Kick Off ARSENAL GET US BACK UNDERWAY: Kicking from right to left in the second half. What a massive 45 minutes of football… COME ON YOU REDS!
45
ARSENAL BACK OUT: Shortly followed by Birmingham. It doesn’t look like any changes for either side at the break..
Half Time THERE GOES THE HALF-TIME WHISTLE: All–square at the break, but far from dull...
45
VAN PERSIE STINGS FOSTER’S PALMS: With a vicious effort from 25 yards. That was travelling and the Birmingham goalkeeper can only beat it away
45
IT’S WORKED SHORT: Sagna crosses deep into the area but Zigic heads away.
45
ARSENAL ENDING THE HALF ON TOP: Arshavin feeds Nasri with a wonderful ball down the right and he wins a corner.
44
FOUR MINUTES OF TIME ADDED ON
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BOWYER DOWN: He collides with Arshavin as he makes a sliding challenge and is receiving treatment for a whack to the face
42
ARSENAL PRESSING: Nasri plays a give and go with Van Persie inside the area but Johnson hacks clear as the midfielder tries to collect the return ball
41
Yellow Card ANOTHER BOOKING: This time for Larsson, I think he said something to the referee
40
THAT WILSHERE EFFORT: Thundered the crossbar before the Van Persie strike. With his left foot, the England man let fly from 20 yards
39
VAN PERSIE LOOKS HURT: In the process of scoring that goal, the Dutch striker seems to have taken a whack. He should be OK to continue though…
38
Wilshere sees a shot from outside the area cannon back off the bar, but the ball falls for Arshavin on the right of the area. He twists and turns before crossing to the near post where Van Persie acrobatically volleys home with his right foot. GAME ON
38
GOAL! - Robin van Persie 1 : 1 GOAL FOR ARSENAL! Van Persie makes it 1-1….
35
Yellow Card FIRST BOOKING: Koscielny gets the first yellow card of the afternoon for a foul on Bowyer on halfway. Birmingham send a long ball into the box but Arsenal clear
33
MORE BIRMINGHAM PRESSURE: Larsson and Gardner do brilliantly and Djourou is forced to head away from almost under his own crossbar following a brilliant cross from Larsson
32
GREAT CHANCE FOR ZIGIC: In all truth, it should be 2-0. Gardner bundles his way through and Zigic shoots straight at Szczesny with only the goalkeeper to beat from six yards
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LOW CROSS IN THE ARSENAL BOX: But Zigic can’t get on the end of it and Djourou sweeps up
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VAN PERSIE LETS FLY: But his effort is repelled by a blue shirt. Arsenal are looking to get back on level terms straight away
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ARSENAL RESPOND: Van Persie, unmarked, heads over from the penalty spot
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That corner was flicked on and the tall striker beat Szczesny to ball and headed home from two yards
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GOAL! - Nikola Zigic 1 : 0 Goal for Birmingham. Zigic with the opener…
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KOSCIELNY FORCED TO HEAD BEHIND: Sagna gives the ball away and Fahey whips in a great ball to the back post where, with Zigic waiting, the defender glances it behind
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END-TO-END: Koscielny has to make a vital interception at one end and Jiranek expertly dispossesses Van Persie down the other
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WILSHERE SEEING A LOT OF IT: The teenager has started well today
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What have you made of the opening stages? Get your comments to us via www.arsenal.com/studio.
21
KOSCIELNY HAS TO BE SHARP: Fahey gets the better of Sagna and the defender is forced to come across and clear well inside the area
20
GOOD FOOTBALL FROM ARSENAL: Van Persie starts, and nearly ends, a good move down the right. Rosicky, Nasri and the Dutchman link up but, when Van Persie tries to tee-up Rosicky, Birmingham clear
18
SLOPPY: Koscielny can’t find Clichy with a simple pass and the ball goes out for a throw-in
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PRETTY EVEN NOW: Arsenal have seen more of the ball but Birmingham are defending resolutely so far
15
BIRMINGHAM PRESSURE: Zigic causes a few problems in the Arsenal box and it leads to half-a-chance for Johnson at the far post. Larsson, the ex-Arsenal man, crosses deep and the defender heads straight at Szczesny.
14
NASRI WEAVING: Much like he did against Porto that time, the French midfielder gets past two Birmingham defenders on the right of the area. But, this time, he can only hit a shot high over Foster’s bar
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DJOUROU WINS A HEADER: Against the GIANT Zigic, that’s the first aerial battle between those two and the Arsenal man comes out on top
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OPENING TEN MINUTES: After a really bright start from Birmingham, Arsenal are starting to impose their play on the game
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COUPLE OF ARSENAL CORNERS: Djourou heads against a defender and then Song can’t quite find the target from the second
8
GREAT CHANCE: Arsenal are getting the upper hand now. A ball gets played into the feet of Arshavin ten yeards out and he turns his man before drilling a low effort at the feet of Foster. Decent stop that
7
SNAP SHOT FROM VAN PERSIE: Sagna ventures infield from the right and finds Wilshere on the edge of the area. The England man lofts a ball over the head of Carr and, from a narrow angle, Van Persie powerfully fires over
6
ARSHAVIN OFF THE PITCH: He is receiving treatment to what looks like a blow to the face. But he’s back on now. 11 against 11
5
WELL WIDE FROM GARDNER: He scored a goal from that range in the Semi-Final against West Ham but Szczesny sees that effort go harmlessly wide
4
FRENETIC PACE: The game has started with both team paying at a very high tempo, Arsenal are trying to slow things down and keep the ball but Carr makes a great sliding challenge to disposes Rosicky
3
BOWYER IN ON GOAL: And Szczesny brings him down… but the linesman has his flag up. PHEW. Replays show that Bowyer was just onside, Szczesny would have been in trouble there. But, as I said, the flag had long-since been up
2
TACTICS: Nasri on the right, Arshavin down the left and Rosicky through the middle
2
EARLY BIRMINGHAM THROW: But Arsenal play their way out from defence as only they know how to
Kick Off WE’RE OFF: Birmingham get the 2011 Carling Cup Final underway
CAPTAINS SHAKE HANDS: Carr and Van Persie meet, strangely, outside the centre circle? Arsenal will kick from left to right in the first half
THE PITCH: Is in impeccable condition, but it will be interesting to see if it deteriorates as the game goes on..
THE NATIONAL ANTHEM: The final traditional pre-match Cup Final event before the action really starts.
THIS IS HUGE: Whoever said the Carling Cup was a meaningless trophy? Try telling that to the two sets of fans today.
ELECTRIC: That’s one way to describe Wembley at the moment, you can hardly hear yourself think with the noise coming from both sets of fans!
HERE WE GO: The players are making their way out to, the now cauldron that is, Wembley stadium!
Both teams have just been announced and there’s now only ten minutes until kick-off. The Arsenal fans are making a lot of noise away to my left, COME ON YOU GUNNERS!
I’m sure most of you know it already, but here is the Arsenal team for those of you who don’t… Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Djourou, Clichy, Song, Rosicky, Arshavin, Nasri, Wilshere, Van Persie
Arsenal.com editor Richard Clarke will be alongside commentator Dan Roebuck and they'll be taking your e-mails during the game and fielding your calls in our post-match show. I'll give you those all-important numbers later. In the meantime get your comments to us via www.arsenal.com/studio.
We’ve waited a long time for this! The atmosphere is really building here at Wembley, there is a sea of red to my left and a sea of blue to my right. The players have just finished their warm up and have headed back down into the dressing rooms.
Welcome to Arsenal TV Online for another MatchDay Show. But this isn’t a normal Sunday afternoon watching the Arsenal, it’s Carling Cup Final time!
Birmingham City
01 FOSTER, Ben
02 CARR, Stephen
08 BOWYER, Lee
14 JOHNSON, Roger
06 RIDGEWELL, Liam
07 LARSSON, Sebastian
08 GARDNER, Craig
22 BEAUSEJOUR, Jean (50)
16 FERGUSON, Barry
18 FAHEY, Keith
24 MARTINS, Obafemi (81)
19 ZIGIC, Nikola
33 JEROME, Cameron (90)
28 JIRANEK, Martin
33 TAYLOR, MAIK
03 MURPHY, DAVID
21 PARNABY, STUART
22 BEAUSEJOUR, JEAN
09 PHILLIPS, KEVIN
33 JEROME, CAMERON
24 MARTINS, OBAFEMI
Arsenal
01 SZCZESNY, Wojciech
03 SAGNA, Bacary
22 CLICHY, Gael
20 DJOUROU, Johan
06 KOSCIELNY, Laurent
07 ROSICKY, Tomas
08 NASRI, Samir
17 SONG, Alex
10 WILSHERE, Jack
23 ARSHAVIN, Andrey
29 CHAMAKH, Marouane (76)
20 VAN PERSIE, Robin
17 BENDTNER, Nicklas (68)
01 ALMUNIA, MANUEL
15 DENILSON,
18 SQUILLACI, SEBASTIEN
27 EBOUE, EMMANUEL
28 GIBBS, KIERAN
29 CHAMAKH, MAROUANE
17 BENDTNER, NICKLAS
