Jason Roberts scores in the dying minutes of extra time to send Latics to our first ever major cup final!

Latics matched the Gunners for determination, and Mike Pollitt played a vital role in between the sticks as his performance helped Latics on their way to the Millennium Stadium. 

Latics held a slim one goal advantage, thanks to a Paul Scharner goal on his debut, from the first leg a fortnight ago. But Arsene Wenger meant business tonight as he named big guns Sol Campbell, Thierry Henry, Jose Antonio Reyes and Dennis Bergkamp in the starting line-up.

David Thompson was cup-tied following his transfer from Blackburn, so left winger Alan Mahon returned to the starting line-up.

New loan singing Reto Zeigler had to settle for a place on the substitutes bench following his move from the Gunners' rivals, Tottenham.

Latics had the first chance of this second leg tie, Bullard struck a low long-range strike in the second minute but it was straight at Manuel Almunia.

12th minute, Roberts bypassed his marker and squared the ball to Mahon but it was a weak shot but Almunia wasn't threatened.

Two minutes later Henry cut back to Hleb, whose shot was deflected and looped over the bar for a corner.

Disaster struck for Latics in the 20th minute when Henry's cross from the outside of his feet unluckily hit the arm of Stephane Henchoz. The referee did not hesitate to point to the spot. It was a harsh decision against the Swiss defender.

Antonio Reyes stepped up to take the penalty kick. It was struck fiercely but Pollitt guessed the right way and parried the ball away for a corner.

Pollitt was called into action twice in as many minutes. The former Rotherham goalkeeper did well to keep out the efforts on target by both Bergkamp and Henry from twenty yards out, and palmed the ball away on both occasions.

But Latics should have had a penalty themselves in the 24th minute, and it looked a far more solid claim. Phillipe Senderos clambered all over Jason Roberts to the ground inside the penalty area, but play continued.

The Wigan captain was on the end of some harsh treatment again ten minutes later as Sol Campbell dragged Roberts down in the box, but once again, the referee waved play on.

Latics could have stolen the lead at the death of the first half. Jimmy Bullard released Roberts who went ahead of Kerrea Gilbert, but his attempted cheeky lob over Almunia was well saved at the near post.

The Gunners had more possession in the first half, but Latics had two stonewall penalties turned down, and perhaps should have increased their lead.

Half-Time: Arsenal 0 - 0 Latics

In the 51st minute, Gary Teale teased Lauren before putting in a superb cross from the right flank, but Jason Roberts couldn't keep it down as he headed over the cross bar from just six yards at the near post.

The Gunners could have scored just a minute later though. Theirry Henry and Reyes both played a lethal one-two passing movement to unlock the Latics defence. The Frenchman fired a low shot directed at the far post, but Pollitt stretched to make a classy save. He could only parry the ball as far as Reyes, but the Spaniard's shot was spilled to Paul Scharner who lumped the ball away from the away.

But Latics were put on the back foot in the 65th minute when Gilbert was released down the right flank. His cross from the right flank was met by HENRY who easily nodded the ball into the net from close range. It was devastating considering Wigan's brave approach to the cup tie.

Wigan nearly responded instantly a minute later when substitute Andreas Johansson's header at the near post was well saved by Almunia.

But then Chimbonda was left fuming when he was played into the box by Roberts, and was then felled by Almunia at the near post. The referee refused to consider giving Latics the spot kick for the third time tonight.

In the 78th minute Teale danced his way through the defence and took advantage of Senderos slipping, and squared the ball to Roberts, but the Grenedan sliced at the ball and it curled wide of the far post.

This was the point when Arsene Wenger decided to withdraw Thierry Henry, and replace him with Robin Van Persie.

With just four minutes to go the Gunners missed a glorious opportunity to book themselves in for the final at the Millennium Stadium in the last minute, but Sol Campbell sent the ball sky-bound from Van Persie's corner.

Reyes was lucky only to receive a yellow card for petulant behaviour on Leighton Baines as the second half had just seconds left.

Full-Time: Arsenal 1 - 0 Latics (1-1 aggregate)

In the 101st minute, Reyes' through-ball found Bergkamp, who rounded Pollitt and looked like he was going to slot it in at the near post, but the Latics 'keeper parried the ball out for a corner.

But in the 98th the Gunners had to produce something totally world class to get ahead of Latics. Kavanagh clashed into Reyes whilst fighting for the loose ball but conceded the free kick. Robin VAN PERSIE struck a sweet left-footed from thirty yards. It went over the defensive wall, but there was nothing Pollitt could do as the ball flew into the top corner of the goal. Arsenal were on course to go to the Carling Cup final.

Wigan were very close to getting an equaliser five minutes later as Chimbonda headed the ball downwards to Roberts, but the Latics captain fired directly at Almunia from close range.

But Latics' persistance paid off as they stole a dramatic winner just two minutes from the end of extra time. Graham Kavanagh's hopeful long ball decieved both Phillipe Senderos and Sol Campbell, and Jason ROBERTS nipped in between them and left both Gunners defenders in his wake.

The former West Brom striker kept his cool and slotted the ball past Manuel Alumina, much to the delight of the Wigan fans behind the goal.

Latics have defeated one of the biggest clubs in the Europe and it is now Paul Jewell's men who will make thier way to the Millennium Stadium next month to face either Blackburn or Manchester United, and a chance of playing in the UEFA Cup next season!

Extra-Time: Arsenal 2 - 1 Latics (2-2 LATICS WIN ON AWAY GOALS)

Latics Starting Line-Up: Pollitt, Chimbonda, Scharner, Henchoz, Baines, Teale, Bullard, Kavanagh, Mahon (Ziegler 63), Roberts, Mellor (Johansson 60).

Unused Substitutes: Filan, Jackson, Francis.

Arsenal Starting Line-Up: Almunia, Gilbert, Senderos, Campbell, Lauren, Hleb (Pires 69), Silva, Diaby (Flamini 45), Reyes, Bergkamp, Henry (Van Persie 79).

Unused Substitutes: Poom, Djourou.