Bradford vs. Arsenal

1-1 (Bradford won penalties 3-2), Capital One Cup, Coral Windows Stadium, 2012-12-11
Vermaelen 88

We were close to recreate a similar (though somewhat less spectacular) comeback as in the last cup game against Reading, but we did not seem to have the same urgency or luck as in that amazing game and in the end it was just another disappointing evening.

With the line-up that we had for this game, players such as Podolski and Gervinho in the starting eleven, you more or less expected us to beat the league two side that is Bradford. Yet things seldom are as easy as they may appear on paper in England and we found ourselves 0-1 down after fifteen minutes. Then they would have increased their lead mere minutes later, had it not been for Gibbs' clearing on the line. Right before the half-time Coquelin had a shot off the post and Gervinho had a shot off-target just two yards from the goal.

In the second half we kept looking for that equalizer, but we never looked that very likely to get it. That is, until the very last minutes when our captain, Thomas Vermaelen, headed the ball into the back of the net as Cazorla provided an excellent cross!

During the extra-time we had two brilliant chances to win the game, first there was a header from Sagna that was cleared off the line. Then there was a sizzling shot from Santi Cazorla that hit the bar from 25 yards out!

As we failed to score from those two opportunities the game went on to penalties, and we had quite the nightmare start. Bradford scored their first two while Cazorla's penalty was saved by the 'keeper and Chamakh hit the post. Then Szczesny saved the next penalty from Bradford and Wilshere fired the ball into the back of the net to score our first penalty. Bradford then scored as did Oxlade-Chamberlain, next up was Bradford and Szczesny provided yet another vital save. Thomas Vermaelen stepped up to take the next penalty, with the knowledge that if he missed we would be out, and for the second time during the penalty shoot-out we hit the post. Meaning that the final result of the penalties was 3-2 to Bradford.

This was obviously immensely disappointing, as we were so close to turning yet another cup game around and qualify for the semi-finals. At the end of the day we just weren't good enough, so let's look ahead and prepare for the game against Reading on Monday.

Injury Update:
- We currently have Walcott, Santos, Koscielny and Diaby sidelined with injuries.
- Giroud got a kick in the back in the last game and did not recover for this game.