Arsenal 3 Ipswich 0

The fact that the roar greeting Niklas Bendtner’s 61st minute goal for Arsenal was filled so palpably with relief, gave the measure of Ipswich Towns achievement.
When the draw for the League Cup Semi-Final was completed almost two months ago, no Town fan would have believed the tie to still be in reach after 150 minutes of football. Yet, at that point, Ipswich found themselves in the lead.
It was a night for plaudits, both for the players on the pitch and the 9,000 strong support, who gave unstinting support, as the combination further swelled the reputation of a club who have missed nights such as this.
Paul Jewell, having taken over after the first leg triumph, was suitably proud of his new charges. Speaking after the match, he said “The players weren’t disgraced over two games. They have given a brilliant team a right good run for their money as far as making it difficult for Arsenal is concerned”.
“I can’t fault the players’ effort, they were outstanding and I couldn’t ask for more in terms of workrate and energy. They put so much into the game when Arsenal had the ball that it was difficult when we had the ball to try and create.”
With Lee Martin dropping out of the starting line-up due to ineligibility, it proved little surprise that Mark Kennedy was recalled to the side, enabling him to reprise the role in defensive midfield which he filled with such success in the first leg.
Elsewhere, Town were unchanged from Saturdays performance against Doncaster Rovers, with Carlos Edwards again filing the right-back position.
Whilst the home clash had seen Arsenal struggle to dominate as Town grew in confidence, so the return leg quickly became far more representative of the match which many had expected at Portman Road.
Arsenal hugged the touchline in wide positions, stretching Towns midfield across the pitch in an attempt to create holes to exploit. As Arsenal dominated possession, Town found themselves very much withdrawn.
Arsenals midfield was at full strength, save for Player of the Year-elect Samir Nasri, and closed down the Town midfield at speed whenever possible, restricting the quality of ball to the stranded Tamas Priskin.
A goal seemed inevitable as Town defended deep on the edge of the box, yet McAuley and Delaney held firm. Carlos Edwards appeared to be relishing the occasion, taking the opportunity to dribble his way out of trouble whenever possible.
Meanwhile, the massed Town ranks behind the goal watched the minutes drift past.
After close shaves from Robin Van Persie, who struck the bar with a header and Cesc Fabregas, who managed to beat Fulop but also the far post, the blues left the pitch at the half-time whistle with further ovations from the buoyant travelling fans.
The second half found Town attempting to offer some relief to their back line, with Grant Leadbitter noticeably involved further up the field whenever possible, but the siege continued. Whilst a goal felt inevitable, the time continued to pass and the Arsenal fans, if not their players, remained subdued, perhaps beginning to fear the direction the game was heading.
However, just past the hour mark, Bendtner broke clear, stepped inside Edwards and curled a fine effort inside Fulops far post. The stadium exploded- it wasn’t going to be that bad after all.
Town immediately replaced the tiring Tamas Priskin with Jason Scotland, but with Town having offered very little of note, save for a miscued O’Dea effort, the goal felt like the ending of Towns most likely route to victory.
And so it proved, with Laurent Koscielny immediately heading Arshavins corner into the empty net, Marton Fulop having misjudged his attempt at claiming the ball. It was a poor goal to concede, particularly as it bore similarity with Doncasters second goal on Saturday.
Town briefly rallied, as Scotland was played in on the left of the Arsenal defence, but he could only direct his shot straight into Szczesnys body.
After a number of near misses, and with Town edging further forward, Arsenal launched a counter attack, with Fabregas finally getting the goal that had eluded him throughout the evening.
After the downward spiral of the previous two months, culminating in Roy Keanes dismissal, Town have enjoyed something of a resurgence in optimism over the last two weeks, built in the main around two outstanding displays against one of Europes top sides.
Several players have taken the opportunity to demonstrate that, despite previous performances, they are more than capable of performing in the Championship- and, in some cases, at a level above that.
Carlos Edwards put in another excellent performance, looking at ease in the company and in his new role, as perhaps Paul Jewell may have inadvertently solved one of Roy Keanes most problematic positions.
Damien Delaney was immense at the centre of defence, demonstrating that his reading of the game is attuned enough to counter a lack of pace. Gareth McAuley simply continued to reach the levels to which he has attained throughout the season to date.
However, perhaps the most important performers were the travelling blue supporters. The impressive numbers of support gave a very poignant reminder that, even in what have been difficult times, they remain as enthused about their club as ever. It was something which was not lost on players, press and Towns own Chief Executive, Simon Clegg, witnessing such an occasion for the first time in his spell at the club. “It was a proud day for everyone at the club- the owner, myself and everyone. It was a great occasion.”
“I thought the fans were fantastic today and the players appreciated the support they were getting from the fans.”
All that remains is for the players to draw on this positive experience when they return to the mundanity of a struggle for Championship survival at Derby County next Tuesday.