Arsenal scored three times in the second half for a 3-0 victory over Ipswich Town to win their Carling Cup semi-final match up. It took Arsenal over an hour to break down Ipswich but three goals in 16 minutes sent the Gunners to Wembley. Nicklas Bendtner opened the scoring for Arsenal in the 61st minute, Laurent Koscielny doubled the lead three minutes later and Cesc Fabregas added a goal in the 77th.
Arsenal who are seeking their first trophy since winning the 2005 FA Cup, will play the winners of the West Ham v Birmingham semi-final in the League Cup final at Wembley on Feb. 27.
In the German Cup quarter-finals, meanwhile, Schalke advanced thanks to 17-year-old Julian Draxler’s winner in the last minute of extra time. Visitors Nuremberg led twice through Julian Schieber, but were pegged back on both occasions by Mario Gavranović and Ivan Rakitić. With penalties looming, Draxler unleashed a fearsome strike into the top corner just moments after coming off the bench.
Nothing could separate Palermo and Parma in the Coppa Italia, however. After 120 minutes of their last-eight meeting it was still goalless but Palermo prevailed 5-4 in the ensuing penalty shoot-out, Daniel Jara Martínez converting the decisive spot kick in sudden death. The Rosanero will face the winners of Wednesday’s game between Sampdoria and AC Milan.
