On this day in 2011, Obafemi Martins scored a late winner for Birmingham to beat Arsenal 2-1 in the Carling Cup final.
Nikola Zigic headed the Blues in front in the 28th minute before Robin van Persie found the equaliser with a volley.
The game looked destined for extra time when a mix-up at the back from Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny and goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny proved costly.
Szczesny spilled Zigic’s header after Koscielny mis-kicked the ball and the loose ball rolled into the path of an unmarked Martins.
Happy Obafemi Martins Day! 💙
10 years to the day since that unbelievable afternoon at Wembley. 🏆👌 pic.twitter.com/ge3IKCjhwt
— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) February 27, 2021
The substitute then tucked the ball home into an empty net to seal victory and he described his goal post-match as “the easiest of my career”.
“I think this is the easiest goal I’ve ever scored in my career – and it’s very important,” Martins said.
“I’m glad I scored today and I’m glad we won. I think it was my second touch. I’m very happy.”
Reflecting on the costly mix-up, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger revealed both Szczesny and Koscielny were left “destroyed”.
He said: “Both of them [Koscielny and Szczesny] are destroyed. We have to lift them up again and help them, that is what a team is about, that is part of the game.
“It was a lack of communication, determination a little bit as well. Like always, when the ball is in no-man’s land, someone has to take responsibility and go for it.
“What was amazing [was that] no-one was going for the ball from Birmingham.”
