Koscielny 64

                                                                                           Fabregas 77

Arsenal overcame a one-goal first-leg deficit to reach the Carling Cup Final at the expense of Championship strugglers Ipswich. But they were made to work hard for their victory.

The Gunners regularly created chances but had to wait until after the hour mark to break Ipswich’s resistance before eventually running out comfortable winners on the night.

The visitors’ Grant Leadbitter only narrowly cleared the crossbar with an audacious effort straight from the kick-off.

And they withstood considerable pressure to hang onto their aggregate lead at half-time. Robin Van Persie struck the crossbar on 23 minutes, from Nicklas Bendtner’s right-wing cross.

Cesc Fabregas came close with a left-footed drive eleven minutes later. Keeper Marton Fulop saved another Fabregas effort. And Damien Delaney blocked a Bendtner effort.

But Bendtner broke the deadlock on 61 minutes, controlling Jack Wilshere’s long ball and cutting inside Carlos Edwards before curling a right-foot shot past Fulop’s left-hand from the edge of the box.

Three minutes later, Arsenal took an aggregate lead when Laurent Koscielny headed home Andrei Arshavin’s left-wing corner.

And with thirteen minutes remaining, Arsenal clinched the tie when Fabregas played a sweeping one-two with Arshavin and finished neatly with his left-foot from 10 yards.