VERMALEN: FA Cup Win Against Wigan Gives Us Confidence

Thomas Vermaelen has praised Arsenal's fighting spirit following Saturday's FA Cup semi-final penalty shootout win over Wigan. The Gunners appeared to be heading for defeat at Wembley thanks to a 63rd-minute penalty from Jordi Gomez, only for Per Mertesacker to level the scores with eight minutes remaining.

Arsenal went on to win the penalty shootout 4-2 and Vermaelen believes that the triumph will act as a timely boost for Arsenal and ease some of the pressure on Arsene Wenger following a run of poor form.

"There was a lot of talk about needing the result for a few different reasons, for the manager and showing we could fight and I think we did that," Vermaelen told reporters.

FA CUP: MANCHESTER CITY 1 WIGAN 2 - Watch The Goals And Highlights

                                

Wigan Dump Manchester City Out Of FA Cup

Who says the FA Cup has lost its magic, its capacity to make fans dream? The Cup’s enduring appeal was seen in the way Wigan Athletic fought for the lead, fought against the odds and fought to keep a grip of the trophy. It was seen in the way Manchester City fought hard at 2-0 down, trailing to Jordi Gomez’s penalty and James Perch’s close-range strike. City besieged Wigan’s goal, scoring through Samir Nasri, but could not break down the visitors’ magnificent defence again.

And so it is Wigan of the Championship who now face Arsenal at Wembley on April 12 or 13 for the right to play either Hull City or Sheffield United in the final on May 17. City paraded the Capital One Cup before kick-off but it was Wigan basking in the glow of the FA Cup at the end as they staged a repeat of last year’s final win.

Watch Former Barca Player Jordi Gomez Score A Superb Goal Against Nottingham Forest

             

DELE ALLI: Premier League Clubs Chase Little Known Nigerian

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers was reportedly scouting 17-year-old Dele Alli after he watched MK Dons draw 3-3 with Wigan at the weekend.

Newcastle United are also reported to be interested in signing the England U17 international this January.

Sources suggest the teenager, whose father is Nigerian, could be on the Liverpool boss' radar as Rodgers seeks to continue his youth redevelopment of the Reds' squad.

Liverpool have already snapped up another Nigerian youngster Jordan Ibe.