Arsenal Edge Wigan in Penalty Shootout to Reach FA Cup Final
Arsenal are just one match away from ending a nine-year trophy drought after a tense FA Cup semi-final win over Wigan Athletic. The Gunners needed penalties (4-2) to get past the Championship side after a 1-1 draw through 120 minutes of play at Wembley.
Jordi Gomez gave Wigan the lead in the 63rd minute with a calmly taken penalty, shocking the Premier League club and reviving memories of Arsenal’s past cup failures. But Per Mertesacker came to the rescue with an equalizer in the 82nd minute, sending the game to extra time.
Despite dominating possession, Arsène Wenger’s men couldn’t break through again during the added half hour. In the shootout, Arsenal held their nerve, with Lukasz Fabianski making two crucial saves to send the North London club into the final.
They will now await the winner of Sunday’s semi-final between Hull City and Sheffield United to learn their opponent in the May 17 final.
