JUBILANT Alex McLeish hailed Birmingham’s first major trophy since 1963 as the best of his career after watching his side snatch a shock Carling Cup final win over Arsenal.
Alex McLeish hailed Birmingham’s first major trophy since 1963 as the best of his career
Substitute Oba Martins capitalised on a terrible mix-up between Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny and keeper Wojciech Szczesny to secure Blues’ last-gasp 2-1 victory at Wembley.
“It is my greatest achievement,” said McLeish. “It is a dream come true.”
Arsenal’s six-year run without silverware continues – and to add to a disastrous day for the Gunners, Robin van
Persie fears he could miss the second leg of the Champions League last
16 against Barcelona on March 8 with a knee injury that forced him off
after 69 minutes.
“It does not look good,” said Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.
McLeish,
who won 19 trophies as a player and manager in Scotland, said: “I was
expected to win trophies at Rangers. But to come to England and win my
first trophy at the first attempt with a small club like Birmingham
against the might of Arsenal is a dream come true.
“I
am delighted for our long-suffering fans who have gone so long without a
trophy. Nobody gave us a prayer but the bookies don’t always get it
right.
“I am proud to win the Carling Cup and I will be proud and honoured to take Birmingham into Europe in the Europa League.”
Van
Persie was injured in scoring the equaliser after Nikola Zigic had
headed Birmingham into the lead, but played on for another 30 minutes
before hobbling off.
Wenger put the error
between Koscielny and Szczesny that gifted Birmingham’s winner down to
“a lack of communication and determination”.
He said: “Both of them are destroyed, but this is not the moment to add anything to that. It is part of the game.
“There
was a lack of communication and determination. Somebody has to take
responsibility and go for the ball. What was amazing was they were not
under pressure from a Birmingham player. We are bitterly disappointed,
but we have to stand up and show our mental strength.
“Winning a trophy would have lifted a weight off our shoulders and losing could have the opposite effect.
“But
the Premier League is played over 38 matches and we will not throw that
away because of one game. I’m confident we have the character to bounce
back.”
Wenger will give Szczesny a chance to
redeem himself when Arsenal face Leyton Orient in the FA Cup fifth-round
replay on Wednesday, saying: “He has to pick himself up again.”
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