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Arsenal 3 Ipswich 0: Bendtner has final say as Gunners cruise to the Carling Cup final

احدث اجدد واروع واجمل واشيك Arsenal 3 Ipswich 0: Bendtner has final say as Gunners cruise to the Carling Cup final

Arsenal 3 Ipswich 0: Bendtner has final say as Gunners cruise to the Carling Cup final

Two months after they appeared to be heading for football's divorce court, Nicklas Bendtner and Arsene Wenger are heading instead to Wembley. 

And they will do so hand-in-hand, in perfect harmony, thanks to the way the rather-too-demanding Dane eased the pressure mounting on Arsenal at the Emirates. 

Until Bendtner scored a quite brilliant 61st-minute goal, Arsenal were in serious danger of blowing a wonderful chance to end their six-year wait for a trophy.

Let's celebrate: Nicklas Bendtner (right) is congratulated by his Arsenal team-mates after his fine opening goal

Let's celebrate: Nicklas Bendtner (right) is congratulated by his Arsenal team-mates after his fine opening goal

Until he controlled Jack Wilshere's long ball before beating Marton Fulop with a classy, curling finish, a first Wembley final since 1998 seemed to be slipping from their grasp. 

Wenger said: 'We have gone from strength to strength and we have a chance to complete this now. I want to win everything we can. If we can win the Carling Cup then I think it will take the pressure off to deliver in the other competitions.'

If Wenger was annoyed with Bendtner for threatening to leave because of a lack of first-team football, his attitude towards him must have softened after this. 

Because Ipswich ignored the insults that had been levelled at them in the wake of the first leg at Portman Road, instead using what Cesc Fabregas had said to their advantage. 

'One-nil to the rugby team,' their supporters cried before delivering a chorus of Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.

Great Dane: Nicklas Bendtner curls home the Gunners' opening goal of the semi-final

Great Dane: Nicklas Bendtner curls home the Gunners' opening goal of the semi-final

It was both amusing and indicative of how difficult Ipswich were making life for their illustrious hosts. 

How determined and courageous they were to protect the advantage they brought to the Emirates thanks to that goal from Tamas Priskin.

From the moment Grant Leadbitter tried to lob Wojciech Szczesny from the kick-off - he went damn close, his 50-yard effort skimming the roof of the net - Ipswich dared to dream. 

Dared think they might write another chapter in their club's history and join the pantheon that includes names like Osborne and Mariner, Mills and Wark. 

The team Paul Jewell inherited from Roy Keane might not boast the quality of the class of '78, but a first Wembley cup final in 33 years for their club was starting to look distinctly possible. 

The dream died, however, when Bendtner struck and Arsenal, with the pressure significantly eased, rediscovered their composure.

Head boy: Laurent Koscielny (centre right) rises high to nod Arsenal two goals to the good

Head boy: Laurent Koscielny (centre right) rises high to nod Arsenal two goals to the good

A second arrived less than three minutes later when Laurent Koscielny met an Andrey Arshavin corner with a thumping header and Fabregas ended all hope of extra time with a third in the 77th minute.

Prior to that, Arsenal's performance had been all too typical; their attempts to erase Ipswich's lead frustratingly over-elaborate. 

They dominated from the very start, but their desire to almost pass the ball into the net played into the hands of an Ipswich side quite happy to defend deep. 

Arsenal lost Sagna to injury after what looked like a nasty clash of heads with Szczesny. But they remained determined in their pursuit of the goal that would level this tie. 

A super pass from Bendtner suddenly presented Fabregas with a chance to strike, only for the Spaniard to drive his shot straight into the arms of Fulop. 

Robin van Persie went closer still soon afterwards when he met another Bendtner delivery with a header that rebounded off the bar.

Just Fab: Cesc Fabregas (right) ghosts in to score Arsenal's final goal of the night

Just Fab: Cesc Fabregas (right) ghosts in to score Arsenal's final goal of the night

At times Ipswich were forced to defend desperately, so nearly losing their advantage when Van Persie and Fulop collided in trying to meet a chip forward from Fabregas and the ball finished up bouncing towards the goal. 

On that occasion the visitors were rescued by the excellent Gareth McAuley, who arrived just in time to clear. 

Wenger had chosen to leave Samir Nasri on the bench but the pressure to send on the Frenchman increased by the minute. 

He has been exactly the kind of creative force they needed and someone who might actually convert the chances that were coming to his colleagues. 

Fabregas squandered yet another opportunity, somehow guiding his effort wide after being left with only Fulop to beat by the outstanding Wilshere. 

It's been emotional: Arsenal skipper Fabregas celebrates his strike

It's been emotional: Arsenal skipper Fabregas celebrates his strike

Anxious to score before the break, Arsenal attacked with increasing urgency. But that, in turn, led to a loss of composure and a slightly easier ride for the Championship club. 

They were still being forced to defend in numbers - as many as 15, Fabregas would no doubt claim - but were not under quite the same pressure because of the mistakes that were beginning to creep into Arsenal's football. 

The sight of Nasri warming up during the interval did not go unnoticed by an increasingly anxious Emirates.

It was time, surely, to unleash him from the bench. But Wenger stuck to his guns and in the end was rewarded for his loyalty. 

Group hug: Arsenal celebrate their passage through to the final

Group hug: Arsenal celebrate their passage through to the final


If Arshavin has been struggling this season, and he lost possession cheaply on a number of occasions last night, he picked a good time to come back into form. 

Not only was it his corner that forced Fulop into making the mistake that invited Koscielny to score, it was his inch-perfect pass that then enabled Fabregas to drive a left-foot shot through the legs of the Ipswich goalkeeper.

It leaves Arsenal within touching distance of that elusive trophy, be it West Ham or Birmingham who progress from the other semi-final. 

News of Manchester United's remarkable comeback at Blackpool did temper the mood a little. 

There was a wave of excitement when the supporters learned of the half-time score at Bloomfield Road. But no matter. 

They remain in the hunt for four trophies and few would now bet against them bagging at least one


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