Capital One Cup: 5 times the big clubs were upstaged by smaller ones

#2 Birmingham 2-1 Arsenal 2010-11 League Cup Final

It had been nearly 6 years since Arsenal last won a major trophy (FA Cup 2005), and most pundits understandably tipped the Gunners to finally lift a piece of silverware when they learned it was Premier League relegation candidates Birmingham standing in their way in the 2011 League Cup final.

But no one, it seems, mentioned this to Birmingham manager Alex McLeish. His game-plan to deploy 6’ 8’’ striker Nikola Zigic against Arsenal’s back 2 consisting of Laurent Koscielny and Yohan Djourou worked wonders, as he rose highest to head in a corner to give Birmingham a shock lead at Wembley. Robin van Persie equalised soon after, and although it was Arsenal who created the better chances, Birmingham stood firm in defence throughout the game, Ben Foster making a series of saves to keep his side in the game.

Come the 89th minute. Ben Foster’s long-range pass was met by Nikola Zigic, whose header harmlessly rolled towards Arsenal’s goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny. Or so it seemed. Little did he realise that Laurent Koscielny was looking to clear the same ball, resulting in both of them coming in each other’s way. Szczesny, who by now expected Koscielny to deal with the ball, saw the ball slip out of his grasp and fall very kindly for Birmingham substitute Obafemi Martins, who made no mistake in side-footing the winner into an empty net, sending the Birmingham fans into a frenzy.

They managed to hold out till the final whistle had blown, sparking jubilant scenes across the Birmingham faithful and equally devastating expressions across Arsenal’s players and fans, whose long wait for a trophy lasted only 3 seasons later (2014 FA Cup).