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| Sheffield Wednesday produced a stunning performance to see off Arsenal at Hillsborough |
OF ALL the indignities heaped on Arsene Wenger's head during his 19-year reign, this was one of the most humiliating.
Arsenal were not just beaten by at a packed Hillsborough, they were taken to the cleaners, much to the delight of the majority of the 35,065 crowd.
This was a stuffing - signed, sealed and delivered by a renascent Sheffield Wednesday side who were superior from start to finish.
Wenger's side was not at full strength, but they still fielded a team packed with internationals and there was no justification for such an abject surrender.
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| Ross Wallace beats Mathieu Flamini to the ball and opens the scoring |
From Arsenal last night there was no invention, no fight - in a nutshell, no hope.
This was as bad as it gets.
Wedneday's long-suffering supporters, many of whom will never forget their League Cup and FA Cup final defeats to Arsenal in 1993, were delighted and stunned in equal measure.
"Are you Chelsea in disguise?" was the mocking chant in the closing stages of victory amid scenes of mounting euphoria.
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| Lucas Joao celebrates giving Sheffield Wednesday a 2-0 lead |
The fervour, the passion, and the roar that greeted Carlos Carvalhal’s side moments before kick-off said much for the potential of this fallen giant.
Desire was both visible and audible among the raucous home support on what amounted to Wednesday’s biggest night for 15 years.
It felt like Arsenal were entering a lion’s den.
The Gunners struggled to find their feet in the opening exchanges as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Kieran Gibbs carelessly squandered possession.
To make matters worse, Oxlade-Chamberlain was forced off through injury after just five minutes before his replacement – Theo Walcott – went the same way barely 10 minutes later.
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| Sam Hutchinson, formerly of Chelsea, scored a third to seal the tie |
Still, buoyed by the inclusion of key men Petr Cech, Per Mertesacker, Mathieu Flamini and Olivier Giroud, Arsenal popped the ball around with a swagger at times.
Yet Wednesday were clearly not prepared to doff their cap to their aristocratic visitors.
The Owls had won 1-0 at Newcastle in the previous round, having lost 8-0 on their last Premier League visit to St James’ Park in 1999.
Wednesday were relegated that season and have remained outside the top flight ever since.
But a recent change of ownership and the appointment of Portuguese boss Carvalhal has encouraged hopes of a genuine renaissance.
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| Theo Walcott replaced the injured Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, only to limp off ten minutes later |
Wednesday went into last night’s game on the back of an unbeaten eight-match run.
In the 27th minute, the roof was lifted off Hillsborough.
Daniel Pudil found himself in space down the left flank and his low cross fell invitingly for Ross Wallace, who hit a stunning left-foot shot into the bottom left corner from 18 yards out.
Cue delirium.
“We’re Sheffield Wednesday, we’re on our way back,” chanted the home fans.
Wallace ran to the right-hand corner flag to celebrate and was mobbed by team-mates.
A dipping free-kick from Wallace narrowly missed the target moments later.
In the 40th minute, the Owls did double their advantage.
Jeremy Helan beat Glen Kamara far too easily and hit a fierce left-foot shot which drew a smart stop from Cech.
From the subsequent corner, Barry Bannan found Wallace and his perfectly-flighted cross was greeted with a firm header by Lucas Joao which flew past Cech.
More delight. More delirium.They grabbed a killer third goal within six minutes of the restart.
This time a free-kick from the impressive Bannan was bundled across the face of goal by defender Tom Lees and Sam Hutchinson was there to apply the finishing touch.
Once again, the defending from Arsenal was an utter shambles.
"Carlos, Carlos, give us a wave," came the cry from the packed Kop.
Wednesday's manager duly obliged while Wenger stood yards away with a face like thunder.
It said everything.
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