Doncaster Rovers 2 - 2 Arsenal (aet)

(Arsenal win 3-1 on penalties)

I’ve been trying very hard to avoid using others’ descriptions of the matches to fill by blog space. However, yesterday was the office Christmas party, which, when over at the end of the work day, switched locations to my house. Very, very, very weird night, which I’ll get into later. For now, let’s make do with the BBC’s match report:

Arsenal survived a Carling Cup scare after Gilberto’s last-gasp goal forced a penalty shootout against Doncaster, which the Gunners won 3-1.

Rovers took a fourth-minute lead when Michael McIndoe squeezed the ball home but Quincy Owusu-Abeyie’s deflected shot forced extra-time.

In the 104th minute Paul Green put Rovers ahead but Gilberto tucked in Emmanuel Eboue’s cross at the death.

That set up spot-kicks, with Manuel Almunia the star as the Gunners won it…

…Doncaster may have beaten Manchester City on penalties but there was to be no repeat.

Neil Roberts saw his effort hit the post and both Heffernan and Green had their shots saved.

Budtz saved from Hleb but the underdogs were left to reflect on what might have been.

Immediately following the match, the draw was made for the semi-finals. Arsenal face a trip to Wigan on January 10th, with the return leg to take place at Highbury on January 24th.