Zenden 69', Reyes 85' og
Edu 77'
xG, big chances, touches and duels are ESPN's numbers; other sites' models can differ a little.
ESPN has no formation for this match, so here are the line-ups as a list.
The second goal has now officially gone down as an own goal by Reyes - certainly not the way he would have envisiged hitting the back of the net for the first time in an Arsenal shirt!
Southgate stirs up the crowd with a fist in the air, it's a real party atmosphere. Bolton v Boro, February 29 and, of course, you'll be able to follow the game live here on Soccernet.
This wasn't the real Arsenal tonight, full of a lot of youth, but Boro won't be bothered about that
The impressive Zenden made the vital breakthrough for Boro, and although Edu pulled one back it was just too much for the ten men of Arsenal to pull off
Zenden wins the corner for Boro. Juninho walks over to take it - but there's no time! Boro reach the Carling Cup final!
The party has already started at the Riverside, the fans in fine voice
Zenden is played clean through and has the chance to wrap things up, but Stack comes out and makes a good save
| # | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 | +12 | 21 | |
| 2 |
Last 5 meetings
ESPN has no formation for this match, so here are the line-ups as a list.
xG, big chances, touches and duels are ESPN's numbers; other sites' models can differ a little.
The second goal has now officially gone down as an own goal by Reyes - certainly not the way he would have envisiged hitting the back of the net for the first time in an Arsenal shirt!
Boro are playing it around now to the 'oles' of the home crowd. Cardiff beckons
Vieira almost puts Owusu-Abeyie, but the youngster's control lets him down
Three minutes to be added on
Edu tries a shot from distance, and it's just wide
Zenden again looks menacing on the ball, and gets into the box, firing it across the six yard box. Job meets it at the back stick but can only hit the side netting
Doriva's powerful drive from the edge of the D crashes into a defender
It appears that Reyes' challenge just nicked the ball into the perfect position for the swing of Parnaby's boot - one of the strangest 'assists' you'll ever seen. It may even be an own-goal! Surely, game over now. That was Parnaby's first ever goal for Boro (or was it?) - and what an important time to get it
GOAL!!!!!
Queudrue finds Parnaby just inside the box, he stays on his feet despite the challenge from Cole and finds space for the shot...
Mills is caught very late by Owusu-Abeyie, surprisingly there's no card
Zenden on the left again, looking for Job in the centre - Cygan puts it behind and the corner is wasted
Now Zenden comes through on the left, crosses across the face of goal but both Juninho and Job miss it
Medieta tries a shot on the turn after taking it past Cole, saved with ease by Stack
Job is brought down by Edu in mid-field
Arsenal make their second substitution - Quincy Owusu-Abeyie comes on for Gael Clichy
Juninho is sent through the centre, Cole makes the vital interception to thwart the Brazilian's hopes of a clear run on goal
Vieira is felled five yards outside the box. Bentley opts to square it for Parlour, but his rushed shot is deflected harmlessly to Schwarzer
That goal was entirely down to the determination of Vieira, could he go on to inspire the victory?
Edu was the first to react, nodding home from just a couple of yards out. It's game on again, Arsenal have 12 minutes to force an extra 30 minutes
GOAL!!!!!
Bentley floats it in from the left once again, the ball is met by the shoulder of Vieira, but it comes back off the bar. Edu stoops on the loose ball...
Vieira strides forward with purpose and shoots from the edge of the area, producing a good save from Schwarzer. Reyes chase down the loose ball and makes Mills give away the corner
Parnaby picks up a knock to his shin, another challenge from Bentley, and needs a bit of treatment
It's a uphill task for Arsenal now, 2-0 down on aggregate and with only ten men on the park
Bentley, who started the argy-bargy with the little Brazilian, is booked by Gallagher. His initial challenge on Juninho was late and deserved the caution
Juninho and Bentley get involved in pushing and shoving and, as is Arsenal's way, it results in handbags between about 12 of the players
Job is sent through, he only has Stack to beat and slots it home - but the referee pulls play back, Job had been flagged offside
A change for the home side as Massimo Maccarone is replaced by Joseph-Desire Job
Zenden cooly lifts the ball over the top of the onrushing Stack and into the back of the next, Cardiff is now so close for Boro
GOAL!!!!!
Maccarone plays a square ball for Mendieta, the Spaniard spots the run of Zenden and he only has the goalkeeper to beat...
Vieira plays a fine ball for Reyes, he has the chance to run at the defence, gets into the box but Southgate shows his experience to win the ball
Time is running out Arsenal to get the goal they need. The Gunners have been on top, without really creating much
Maccarone looks to plan in Zenden - the pass is poor and Stack collects
Zenden is hacked down by Vieira, referee Gallagher tries to play advantage at first but pulls play back when the pass doesn't come off, Good refereeing
Boro make their first change, Jonathan Greening is replaced by Stuart Parnaby
Zenden tries a shot from a ridiculously tight angle, following good work from Juninho. It's a foolish effort, with Maccarone in the centre, which hits the side netting
Vieira stays strong to bring the ball forward and play in Parlour down the right. He looks to cross into the area - only to get it all wrong and put too much power on the cross
Reyes tries a few tricks, but never reall looks comfortable and the pressure of Mills pays off
Queudrue enters the book for cumulative infringments - and that rules him out of the trip to Newcastle as it's his fifth yellow of the season
Reyes picks up the ball frokm Greening's error, he tries a left-footed effort from 25 yards - he gets it horribly wrong and the ball trickles over the goal-line nearer to the corner flag than the net
Reyes goes down under Riggott's challenge, no free-kick
Free-kick to Arsenal, midway inside the Boro half. Edu floats it in and Vieira tried to lay it off with his head - only for Cygan to foul his marker
...Schwarzer does brilliantly to get across and keep out the effort. It comes to Vieira on the edge of the area, his effort it off-target
Bentley takes from the left, Cygan misses his header at the near post - causing mayhem in the six yard box. Eventually it's Toure who fires one it from point blank range...
Reyes, looking a different player in the second period, bursts forward and sees his shot deflected behind for the corner
Cygan drags back Juninho just outside the box - a real chance for Boro. Zenden places the ball, and strikes it with his left foot - but he slips and fires into the wall
Time and time again we've seen Arsenal grow in character after going down to ten men. Will it happen tonight?
Arsenal win three corners on the bounce, the third comes to Edu on the edge of the box - the shot is charged down
Reyes is put through, Schwarzer comes rushing out and misses the ball sending the Spaniard to the ground. Referee Gallagher points for the corner and Boro escape. There wasn't contact on Reyes, and it wasn't a penalty, but neither did Schwarzer get the ball
Edu is back on after the break, he looks far from 100 per cent and the Gunners will be hoping he stays on the pitch
Arsenal begin the second half
Keown had to see red for his professional foul on Maccarone, making their task all the harder, and they also have to hope that they can patch up Edu during the interval
Boro came back very well, but wasted a number of good opportunities to open the scoring - with Maccarone guilty on at least two occasions
Arsenal started the game very well, without really creating any chance of note
And there goes the half-time whistle
The stretch is out, and it looks like the end of the game for the Brazilian midfielder. Zenden is apologetic, but it's too late for Edu and he's off
Edu is down, and looks in pain, following a late challenge from Zenden. Referee Gallagher missed the foul, Edu looks in real trouble
The free-kick is on the edge of the D, Juninho takes it and finds the gloves of Stack
Two minutes will be added on for stoppages
It's a red card for Keown for the professional foul. The veteran has look out of sorts all game and referee Gallagher had no choice but to dismiss the centre back
Juninho looks for Maccarone, it looks like there's no danger but Keown turns his back on the ball, it hits him and Maccarone's through on goal. Keown track back and pulls down the Italian!
Corner to Arsenal. Bentley delivers from the left, headed clear at the near post
Mendieta floats it in, Southgate just misses his header enabling Stack to collect
Juninho looks to put Zenden in down the left, Keown blocks off the Dutch winger and it's a free-kick to Boro, ten yards outside the box on the left
Bentley is fouled, by Greening, free-kick
Parlour finds Bentley in the box, he looks to turn but Southgate is wise to the move
Juninho plays in Zenden on the left, he plays it across the face of goal and but Mendieta's slide comes just after the ball
Cygan slips and Juninho almost nicks it off him, luckily for the centre-back he holds onto the ball
The quiet Reyes looks to get forward, only for Doriva to send him to the turf
Corner to Boro again. Zenden delivers from the right, Vieira gets up to head clear
Boro are getting on top now, looking for the cushion of a goal in this home leg
Corner for Middlesbrough. It's taken short, Zenden fires it across the face of goal and somehow Riggott, Maccarone and Juninho all miss the ball
Bentley tries his look, and fires straight down the throat of Schwarzer
Keown loses out to Juninho, he takes it on and opts for the shot - which is blocked
Riggott brings down Bentley, and that's a free-kick
Maccarone has it and the left, he looks for Mendieta in the box and Cole's there to but it behind. The corner is easily dealt with
...Stack does brilliantly to scurry across the goal-line and push out Maccarone's effort. Great 'keeping
Zenden plays it deep to Queudrue, he manages stick out a leg and force it back across the face of goal. Maccarone meets it and must score...
Clichy brings down Juninho, free-kick midway inside the Arsenal half
Edu tries one over the top for Reyes, it's poor and the ball runs through to Schwarzer
Reyes takes, again it's poor - this time Zenden slices it behind. Reyes does better this time, and Cygan's near post header goes into the side netting
Free-kick to Arsenal on the right flank. Reyes' deliver is poor but Doriva gives away the corner with a sliced clearance
Reyes makes room for a shot, it's a tame effort - bread and butter for Schwarzer
Vieira turns Zenden and tries to slip in Reyes, Southgate reads it well to intercept
Maccarone is late on Cole, with studs showing, and is very lucky to avoid entering the book
Toure gives the ball away to Zenden, who then goes down as though he's been caught in the face. Play on
Bentley niggles away at Mills and gives away the free-kick
Toure needs a bit of treament - he fell over Stack when chasing back - but will be okay to continue
Juninho comes forward, Cole comes is to make the tackle and it runs into the path of Maccarone. He's through on goal and must score, but he puts it wide of Stack's left-hand post. That should have been the opener
Bentley is adjudged to be offside, free-kick
Bentley takes, Edu beats Schwarzer to it with his head, and it flies inches wide
Bentley breaks forward, and his pass takes a deflection for a corner
Zenden puts the ball out of play so Greening can get a bit of treatment, he was accidentally caught in the face by the arm of Reyes - resulting in a nose bleed
Maccarone almost finds himself through on goal, but Toure moved up and played him offside
Middlesbrough are finding it hard to get a grip on the game, but Steve McClaren's team were ever likely to be on the attack
Reyes luckily steers the ball out wide for Clichy, who's cross is headed away by Riggott
Arsenal are on top early doors, looking for the goal they need to get back on level terms
Edu tries one from fully 30 yards, and his fine effort flies inches wide of Schwarzer's left-hand post
Reyes finds the run of Bentley, only for the young striker to fire weakly at Schwarzer
Vieira plays a good ball over the top for the run of Clichy on the edge of the area, he meets it with his head - well over
Juninho nicks the ball off Keown and bursts down the left flank. It's Vieira who sprints back to make the challenge, blocking the Brazilian's attempted cross into the danger zone
Southgate fells Parlour 35 yards from goal. Vieira takes short
Arsenal win a corner, Bentley swings it in but it's headed clear
Greening brings down Edu, free-kick to Arsenal in the centre circle
Middlesbrough get the game under way
Arsene Wenger hands new signing Jose Reyes his first start. The Spaniard was one of eight changes from the side which started against Manchester City as Graham Stack, Patrick Vieira, Martin Keown, Edu, Pascal Cygan, Gael Clichy and David Bentley are all recalled. Jens Lehmann, Gilberto, Robert Pires, Dennis Bergkamp, Freddie Ljungberg, Sol Campbell, Lauren and Thierry Henry make way.
Boro, looking to book their third trip to the final in seven years, make just two changes to the team which won 3-0 at Leeds with Danny Mills replacing Andrew Davies at right-back and Jonathan Greening coming in for George Boateng, who missed out with a groin problem.
Boro defend a 1-0 lead as they bid for a place in the final against Bolton. Join us for live commentary from 20.00 GMT
| 7 |
| +6 |
| 18 |
| 3 | 7 | +18 | 16 |
| 4 | 7 | +4 | 13 |
| 5 | 7 | +1 | 12 |
| 6 | 7 | +5 | 10 |
| 7 | 7 | +3 | 10 |
| 8 | 7 | +1 | 10 |
| 9 | 7 | +1 | 9 |
| 10 | 7 | −4 | 9 |
| 11 | 7 | −4 | 8 |
| 12 | 7 | −4 | 8 |
| 13 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 14 | 7 | −8 | 7 |
| 15 | 7 | −4 | 6 |
| 16 | 7 | −4 | 6 |
| 17 | 7 | −8 | 6 |
| 18 | 7 | −3 | 5 |
| 19 | 7 | −4 | 5 |
| 20 | 7 | −8 | 4 |
Southgate stirs up the crowd with a fist in the air, it's a real party atmosphere. Bolton v Boro, February 29 and, of course, you'll be able to follow the game live here on Soccernet.
This wasn't the real Arsenal tonight, full of a lot of youth, but Boro won't be bothered about that
The impressive Zenden made the vital breakthrough for Boro, and although Edu pulled one back it was just too much for the ten men of Arsenal to pull off
Zenden wins the corner for Boro. Juninho walks over to take it - but there's no time! Boro reach the Carling Cup final!
The party has already started at the Riverside, the fans in fine voice
Zenden is played clean through and has the chance to wrap things up, but Stack comes out and makes a good save
Boro are playing it around now to the 'oles' of the home crowd. Cardiff beckons
Vieira almost puts Owusu-Abeyie, but the youngster's control lets him down
Three minutes to be added on
Edu tries a shot from distance, and it's just wide
Zenden again looks menacing on the ball, and gets into the box, firing it across the six yard box. Job meets it at the back stick but can only hit the side netting
Doriva's powerful drive from the edge of the D crashes into a defender
It appears that Reyes' challenge just nicked the ball into the perfect position for the swing of Parnaby's boot - one of the strangest 'assists' you'll ever seen. It may even be an own-goal! Surely, game over now. That was Parnaby's first ever goal for Boro (or was it?) - and what an important time to get it
GOAL!!!!!
Queudrue finds Parnaby just inside the box, he stays on his feet despite the challenge from Cole and finds space for the shot...
Mills is caught very late by Owusu-Abeyie, surprisingly there's no card
Zenden on the left again, looking for Job in the centre - Cygan puts it behind and the corner is wasted
Now Zenden comes through on the left, crosses across the face of goal but both Juninho and Job miss it
Medieta tries a shot on the turn after taking it past Cole, saved with ease by Stack
Job is brought down by Edu in mid-field
Arsenal make their second substitution - Quincy Owusu-Abeyie comes on for Gael Clichy
Juninho is sent through the centre, Cole makes the vital interception to thwart the Brazilian's hopes of a clear run on goal
Vieira is felled five yards outside the box. Bentley opts to square it for Parlour, but his rushed shot is deflected harmlessly to Schwarzer
That goal was entirely down to the determination of Vieira, could he go on to inspire the victory?
Edu was the first to react, nodding home from just a couple of yards out. It's game on again, Arsenal have 12 minutes to force an extra 30 minutes
GOAL!!!!!
Bentley floats it in from the left once again, the ball is met by the shoulder of Vieira, but it comes back off the bar. Edu stoops on the loose ball...
Vieira strides forward with purpose and shoots from the edge of the area, producing a good save from Schwarzer. Reyes chase down the loose ball and makes Mills give away the corner
Parnaby picks up a knock to his shin, another challenge from Bentley, and needs a bit of treatment
It's a uphill task for Arsenal now, 2-0 down on aggregate and with only ten men on the park
Bentley, who started the argy-bargy with the little Brazilian, is booked by Gallagher. His initial challenge on Juninho was late and deserved the caution
Juninho and Bentley get involved in pushing and shoving and, as is Arsenal's way, it results in handbags between about 12 of the players
Job is sent through, he only has Stack to beat and slots it home - but the referee pulls play back, Job had been flagged offside
A change for the home side as Massimo Maccarone is replaced by Joseph-Desire Job
Zenden cooly lifts the ball over the top of the onrushing Stack and into the back of the next, Cardiff is now so close for Boro
GOAL!!!!!
Maccarone plays a square ball for Mendieta, the Spaniard spots the run of Zenden and he only has the goalkeeper to beat...
Vieira plays a fine ball for Reyes, he has the chance to run at the defence, gets into the box but Southgate shows his experience to win the ball
Time is running out Arsenal to get the goal they need. The Gunners have been on top, without really creating much
Maccarone looks to plan in Zenden - the pass is poor and Stack collects
Zenden is hacked down by Vieira, referee Gallagher tries to play advantage at first but pulls play back when the pass doesn't come off, Good refereeing
Boro make their first change, Jonathan Greening is replaced by Stuart Parnaby
Zenden tries a shot from a ridiculously tight angle, following good work from Juninho. It's a foolish effort, with Maccarone in the centre, which hits the side netting
Vieira stays strong to bring the ball forward and play in Parlour down the right. He looks to cross into the area - only to get it all wrong and put too much power on the cross
Reyes tries a few tricks, but never reall looks comfortable and the pressure of Mills pays off
Queudrue enters the book for cumulative infringments - and that rules him out of the trip to Newcastle as it's his fifth yellow of the season
Reyes picks up the ball frokm Greening's error, he tries a left-footed effort from 25 yards - he gets it horribly wrong and the ball trickles over the goal-line nearer to the corner flag than the net
Reyes goes down under Riggott's challenge, no free-kick
Free-kick to Arsenal, midway inside the Boro half. Edu floats it in and Vieira tried to lay it off with his head - only for Cygan to foul his marker
...Schwarzer does brilliantly to get across and keep out the effort. It comes to Vieira on the edge of the area, his effort it off-target
Bentley takes from the left, Cygan misses his header at the near post - causing mayhem in the six yard box. Eventually it's Toure who fires one it from point blank range...
Reyes, looking a different player in the second period, bursts forward and sees his shot deflected behind for the corner
Cygan drags back Juninho just outside the box - a real chance for Boro. Zenden places the ball, and strikes it with his left foot - but he slips and fires into the wall
Time and time again we've seen Arsenal grow in character after going down to ten men. Will it happen tonight?
Arsenal win three corners on the bounce, the third comes to Edu on the edge of the box - the shot is charged down
Reyes is put through, Schwarzer comes rushing out and misses the ball sending the Spaniard to the ground. Referee Gallagher points for the corner and Boro escape. There wasn't contact on Reyes, and it wasn't a penalty, but neither did Schwarzer get the ball
Edu is back on after the break, he looks far from 100 per cent and the Gunners will be hoping he stays on the pitch
Arsenal begin the second half
Keown had to see red for his professional foul on Maccarone, making their task all the harder, and they also have to hope that they can patch up Edu during the interval
Boro came back very well, but wasted a number of good opportunities to open the scoring - with Maccarone guilty on at least two occasions
Arsenal started the game very well, without really creating any chance of note
And there goes the half-time whistle
The stretch is out, and it looks like the end of the game for the Brazilian midfielder. Zenden is apologetic, but it's too late for Edu and he's off
Edu is down, and looks in pain, following a late challenge from Zenden. Referee Gallagher missed the foul, Edu looks in real trouble
The free-kick is on the edge of the D, Juninho takes it and finds the gloves of Stack
Two minutes will be added on for stoppages
It's a red card for Keown for the professional foul. The veteran has look out of sorts all game and referee Gallagher had no choice but to dismiss the centre back
Juninho looks for Maccarone, it looks like there's no danger but Keown turns his back on the ball, it hits him and Maccarone's through on goal. Keown track back and pulls down the Italian!
Corner to Arsenal. Bentley delivers from the left, headed clear at the near post
Mendieta floats it in, Southgate just misses his header enabling Stack to collect
Juninho looks to put Zenden in down the left, Keown blocks off the Dutch winger and it's a free-kick to Boro, ten yards outside the box on the left
Bentley is fouled, by Greening, free-kick
Parlour finds Bentley in the box, he looks to turn but Southgate is wise to the move
Juninho plays in Zenden on the left, he plays it across the face of goal and but Mendieta's slide comes just after the ball
Cygan slips and Juninho almost nicks it off him, luckily for the centre-back he holds onto the ball
The quiet Reyes looks to get forward, only for Doriva to send him to the turf
Corner to Boro again. Zenden delivers from the right, Vieira gets up to head clear
Boro are getting on top now, looking for the cushion of a goal in this home leg
Corner for Middlesbrough. It's taken short, Zenden fires it across the face of goal and somehow Riggott, Maccarone and Juninho all miss the ball
Bentley tries his look, and fires straight down the throat of Schwarzer
Keown loses out to Juninho, he takes it on and opts for the shot - which is blocked
Riggott brings down Bentley, and that's a free-kick
Maccarone has it and the left, he looks for Mendieta in the box and Cole's there to but it behind. The corner is easily dealt with
...Stack does brilliantly to scurry across the goal-line and push out Maccarone's effort. Great 'keeping
Zenden plays it deep to Queudrue, he manages stick out a leg and force it back across the face of goal. Maccarone meets it and must score...
Clichy brings down Juninho, free-kick midway inside the Arsenal half
Edu tries one over the top for Reyes, it's poor and the ball runs through to Schwarzer
Reyes takes, again it's poor - this time Zenden slices it behind. Reyes does better this time, and Cygan's near post header goes into the side netting
Free-kick to Arsenal on the right flank. Reyes' deliver is poor but Doriva gives away the corner with a sliced clearance
Reyes makes room for a shot, it's a tame effort - bread and butter for Schwarzer
Vieira turns Zenden and tries to slip in Reyes, Southgate reads it well to intercept
Maccarone is late on Cole, with studs showing, and is very lucky to avoid entering the book
Toure gives the ball away to Zenden, who then goes down as though he's been caught in the face. Play on
Bentley niggles away at Mills and gives away the free-kick
Toure needs a bit of treament - he fell over Stack when chasing back - but will be okay to continue
Juninho comes forward, Cole comes is to make the tackle and it runs into the path of Maccarone. He's through on goal and must score, but he puts it wide of Stack's left-hand post. That should have been the opener
Bentley is adjudged to be offside, free-kick
Bentley takes, Edu beats Schwarzer to it with his head, and it flies inches wide
Bentley breaks forward, and his pass takes a deflection for a corner
Zenden puts the ball out of play so Greening can get a bit of treatment, he was accidentally caught in the face by the arm of Reyes - resulting in a nose bleed
Maccarone almost finds himself through on goal, but Toure moved up and played him offside
Middlesbrough are finding it hard to get a grip on the game, but Steve McClaren's team were ever likely to be on the attack
Reyes luckily steers the ball out wide for Clichy, who's cross is headed away by Riggott
Arsenal are on top early doors, looking for the goal they need to get back on level terms
Edu tries one from fully 30 yards, and his fine effort flies inches wide of Schwarzer's left-hand post
Reyes finds the run of Bentley, only for the young striker to fire weakly at Schwarzer
Vieira plays a good ball over the top for the run of Clichy on the edge of the area, he meets it with his head - well over
Juninho nicks the ball off Keown and bursts down the left flank. It's Vieira who sprints back to make the challenge, blocking the Brazilian's attempted cross into the danger zone
Southgate fells Parlour 35 yards from goal. Vieira takes short
Arsenal win a corner, Bentley swings it in but it's headed clear
Greening brings down Edu, free-kick to Arsenal in the centre circle
Middlesbrough get the game under way
Arsene Wenger hands new signing Jose Reyes his first start. The Spaniard was one of eight changes from the side which started against Manchester City as Graham Stack, Patrick Vieira, Martin Keown, Edu, Pascal Cygan, Gael Clichy and David Bentley are all recalled. Jens Lehmann, Gilberto, Robert Pires, Dennis Bergkamp, Freddie Ljungberg, Sol Campbell, Lauren and Thierry Henry make way.
Boro, looking to book their third trip to the final in seven years, make just two changes to the team which won 3-0 at Leeds with Danny Mills replacing Andrew Davies at right-back and Jonathan Greening coming in for George Boateng, who missed out with a groin problem.
Boro defend a 1-0 lead as they bid for a place in the final against Bolton. Join us for live commentary from 20.00 GMT
| 7 |
| +6 |
| 18 |
| 3 | 7 | +18 | 16 |
| 4 | 7 | +4 | 13 |
| 5 | 7 | +1 | 12 |
| 6 | 7 | +5 | 10 |
| 7 | 7 | +3 | 10 |
| 8 | 7 | +1 | 10 |