On this day in 2006, Arsenal were knocked out of the League Cup by Wigan despite winning the game .

After beating Sunderland (3-0), Reading (3-0) and Doncaster Rovers (2-2, 3-1 pens), the Gunners probably felt confident heading into their League Cup semi-final clash against Wigan.

However, after losing the first leg 1-0 on 10 January to a 77th-minute goal from Paul Scharner at the the JJB Stadium, it was up to Arsenal to make up the difference at Highbury on 24 January.

Thierry Henry found the net in the 65th minute, heading home a neat little cross from Kerrea Gilbert and putting the home side 1-1 on aggregate. It was all to play for and Arsenal, despite Mike Pollitt making a number of crucial saves to keep the visitors in the tie, were in the driver’s seat.

In extra time, Robin van Persie, scored an absolute screamer of a free-kick, to give Arsenal the lead.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkl0K5Dn-_c

However, in the final minute of extra time following a mix-up between between Sol Campbell and Philippe Senderos, Jason Roberts brought the score to 2-1 on the night, 2-2 on aggregate, meaning that pesky away goal rule allowed Wigan to progress to the final in Cardiff. They were comprehensively beaten 4-0 by Manchester United.

Arsenal faced Wigan four times in total that season and won both Premier League matches (3-2 and 4-2) but eventually finished in fourth (of course) with 67 points, a whopping 15 points behind Liverpool in third.

That season, Chelsea won with 91 points and Manchester United finished second with 83.

We were also knocked out of the FA Cup by Bolton, so, all in all, 2006 was not a good year.