Arsenal loanee Ismeal Kabia scored a fantastic goal to help Shrewsbury Town reach the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday, keeping his strong recent form going.
Shrewsbury Town took on Sutton United away from home in the FA Cup third round on Saturday, hoping to progress to the next round and potentially set up a match against a Premier League side.
Arsenal loanee Ismeal Kabia was named in the starting lineup, and for a while it was a frustrating match for the youngster. Sutton took a 1-0 lead through Kai Jennings, and Shrewsbury were reduced to 10 in the 79th minute after Josh Ruffels was dismissed.
Yet a moment of magic from Kabia saved his side’s hopes of progression, as he curled in an excellent goal in the 91st minute.
Picking up the ball on the left-hand side of the penalty area, Kabia cut inside his man before unleashing a strike into the top corner. It was Kabia’s second goal for Shrewsbury, bringing him to four goal contributions in his last six appearances.
The goal sent the match to extra time, but not before Sutton’s David Ogbonna was shown a red card to even things up on the pitch.
After Kabia was substituted with a possible injury concern (the only blemish on his performance), Shrewsbury took a 2-1 lead early in extra time. Sutton were reduced to nine men with another red, and Shrewsbury saw out the result to progress.
Kabia could now meet Arsenal in the next round, depending on the results of Monday night’s draw.
When asked about whether he’d be eligible for a potential game against his parent club by TNT Sports, the player responded: “I think so. Just focus on the next league game and go again. Hopefully if we did get Arsenal in the next round it would be good.”
There was good news elsewhere on the Arsenal loan front, with Cam’ron Ismail making his first start and providing an assist for Uxbridge FC.
Though the Gunners haven’t sent many youth players on loans this season, the ones who have gone out are generally playing regularly and playing well, which is encouraging.