Source: Daily_Mail
Arsenal 2 Wigan 0: Gunners stay on course to end trophy drought
Arsene Wenger saw his chances of ending Arsenal's five-year wait for a trophy given a massive lift last night with a scrappy win over Wigan - but knows his side will have to perform much better than this to finish the job.[LNB]An own goal from Antolin Alcaraz and Nicklas Bendtner's second-half strike saw Arsenal into the semi-finals but Wenger was left casting a wary eye at Manchester United's thrashing by West Ham. [LNB]'That could happen to us,' said the Arsenal manager. 'There are no guarantees you will win the trophy just because you are in the semis. It's home and away now. It will be tough. [LNB]Pure delight: Arsenal barely needed to get out of second gear to earn their place in the semi-final[LNB]'You want to win trophies and bealways at the top. We have managed to be at the top and if you can addtrophies it's even better.' [LNB]Arsenal drew extra positives from the emergence of Robin van Persie unscathed after 72 minutes of actionon his second comeback of the season and a productive display from TheoWalcott. That the fragile Van Persie is finally on the mend representsgood timing ahead of a busy Christmas period, especially as CescFabregas used his programme notes to insist he won't be rushed into areturn from his latest hamstring injury.[LNB]'I will take my time,' said theSpain midfielder. 'I know I haven't been at my best this season, soit's better that my team-mates play because they are fitter than me.I'll just try to get back whenever I can.' [LNB] [LNB] Help: Wigan's captain Antolin Alcaraz nodded past his own goalkeeper just before half-time[LNB]Wenger claimed Arsenal will knowmore in three days about Fabregas's condition but is adamant his squadis strong enough to cover the skipper's absence without any Januaryshopping. [LNB]Wigan manager Roberto Martinez hadtaken his side to watch tennis's ATP Tour Finals decider between RogerFederer and Rafa Nadal at the O2 Arena on Sunday in the hope they wouldtake inspiration for this tie. After a spirited performance at theEmirates, the trip could be said to have had the desired effect. [LNB]Indeed, Wigan made a decent fist ofdrawing the sting from Arsenal's free-flowing attacks, although theirhopes of an upset were not helped by Victor Moses and Mario Boselliwasting early chances. Bendtner was also guilty of spurning two finechances, although Carlos Vela was even more embarrassed when he wasguilty of a shocking 26th-minute miss.[LNB] [LNB] Paceman: Theo Walcott was a constant thorn in Wigan's side[LNB]Then, just as Wigan looked likeholding out comfortably until the break, Bendtner's failure to makecontact with a Walcott corner provoked the confusion which culminatedin Alcaraz steering past his own keeper.[LNB]There were worrying moments forWenger and Arsenal following the break when Van Persie was flooredafter becoming sandwiched between Alcaraz and Caldwell. The Arsenalskipper for the evening stayed down for a prolonged period butthankfully resumed.[LNB] [LNB] Slide for the semis: Bendtner puts Arsenal into a two goal lead[LNB]And with the tide turning inArsenal's favour, Bendtner wrapped up the win in the 65th minute as hefinally produced an effort on target, although Vela's low cross fromVan Persie's pass was so inviting that it would have been hard to miss.[LNB]Walcott then spurned the opportunityhis performance merited and substitute Samir Nasri had a goal-boundeffort cleared off the line by Alcaraz. [LNB]A third goal would have been harshon Wigan, especially on an evening when they lost Moses to a suspecteddislocated shoulder and Boselli to knee ligament damage. [LNB]'We don't want to be a team whichfeel sorry for ourselves,' said Martinez, despite the injuries. 'Now isone of the key moments of the season. We need to regroup and act likemen.'[LNB] [LNB] CARLING CUP LIVE: Arsenal 1 Wigan 0 and West Ham 3 Manchester United 0 - follow all the action as it happenedSteele is not for sale! Boro dismiss reports linking keeper with ArsenalSpurs, Chelsea and Arsenal target Romelu Lukaku will cost 'much more than £17m' as Anderlecht stand firm over teenage striker Wenger insists Arsenal won't buy in January despite mounting troubles[LNB] Explore more:People: Nicklas Bendtner, Robin Van Persie, Carlos Vela, Roberto Martinez, Victor Moses
