Arsenal were left dumbfounded at Hillsborough after a thumping 3-0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday in the Capital One Cup. Ross Wallace, Lucas Joao and Sam Hutchinson ensured Sheffield Wednesday reached the quarter finals with three sumptuous goals, two in the first half and one six minutes after the restart.
Arsenal had ripped off five-consecutive wins in impressive fashion and looked like world beaters at the moment. They had toppled Manchester United, Everton and Bayern Munich over their current run and were hoping to keep the momentum going into a deceiving cup tie at Sheffield Wednesday. On paper it appeared one of their easier match-ups in recent months, but they were pounced upon unawares, by the Owls who pecked them three goals to the good.
A feisty encounter started out with two exciting teams capable of scoring, however disaster struck twice within the first 15 minutes and Arsenal had to use up two of their three substitutions. In the 19th minute Ismael Bennacer was introduced to the game for the injured Theo Walcott, who had earlier replaced the injured Alex Chamberlain. Bennacer was making his third appearance for the Gunners.
Immediately in the 21st minute his presence was felt as Bennacer and Campbell linked up well in attack and the Costa Rican winger played a quick pass into the path of Flamini. The Frenchman, who was the hero in the last round at White Hart Lane, was taken by surprise though and could not control as the attack went begging.
The Owls were pegged back for the better part of the first 25 minutes, however, they were the ones to set the stadium ablaze in the 28th minute. Bannan played a lovely chip pass over the top which found Daniel Pudil in space and the left-back spotted Wallace with an exquisite pullback. The midfielder took the chance first time and rifled a left-footed strike into the far corner with Cech rooted to his spot.
Arsenal were left with two substitutions used and one goal behind in a game that could go all the way to penalties. In minute 32 the Owls decided to rub salt in the wounds of the Arsenal faithful after Joao was hacked down atop the Arsenal penalty area as the intensity picked up. The ensuing free kick presented a great chance for the Owls to double their lead, which they nearly did as Wallace sent a strike agonizingly wide of the near post!
Five minutes before the half Sheffield Wednesday was in dreamland when Wallace the scorer of the first provided the second. A short corner was played into him and he then sent a delightful ball into the area. Joao rose to meet it and thumped home a header to the far post to make it 2-0. Boosted by their two-goal advantage, Sheffield Wednesday were in complete control of the match in the final five minutes of the first half.
The home team restarted the game and picked up from where they left off. Tom Lee surged forward from midfield in an attempt to make something happen, and he was successful in doing so as he won a free kick five yards outside the area as he fell over the outstretched body of Mertesacker following an attempted tackle from the defender. Barry Bannan whipped an inviting delivery in from the resulting set piece and Lees met it at the far post. The centre-half sent a controlled volley back across goal for Hutchinson to bundle home from close range.
With less than 20 minutes to go Arsenal finally started to up the tempo and for the first time in the game one of their full-backs got forward on the overlap. In the 72nd minute Joseph Wildsmith was called into action! Flamini was picked out atop the area following a corner and he floated a ball to Mertesacker at the far post, but the Wednesday keeper reacted well to keep his header out.
Arsenal’s best chance came in time added on after Lee gave the ball away in a dangerous position and Arsenal broke forward quickly, with Iwobi being played through into the area. The Owls centre-half recovered brilliantly, however, sliding in to break up the chance at a vital moment.
As referee Graham Scott brought the game to a close the fans cheered in unison. It was a night for the Owls fans to cherish and celebrate! They’ve been starved of an evening like this at Hillsborough for far too long. Arsene Wenger’s side were humbled by the Owls as goals from Ross Wallace, Lucas Joao and Sam Hutchinson made a historic night at Hillsborough. It started bad for Arsenal with injuries to Oxlade-Chamberlain and Walcott, before only getting worse. Sheffield Wednesday extended their unbeaten run in stylistic fashion as they defeated Premier League title hopefuls Arsenal en route to a spot in the fifth round of the cup!
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