London, January 25:

Jason Roberts scored with seconds of extra-time remaining to silence Arsenal’s big guns and send Wigan into their first major final after a dramatic League Cup semi-final second leg at Highbury on Tuesday.

Just as it seemed the home side had booked their place in the final, Roberts made it 2-2 on aggregate, enough to send Wigan into their first major final courtesy of the away goals rule.

Arsene Wenger’s side went 2-0 up on the night, courtesy of a beautiful free-kick from Robin van Persie at the start of the second period of extra-time. At that stage it looked like being a night of heartbreak for Premiership newcomers Wigan, before Thierry Henry cancelled out Paul Scharner’s effort for Wigan in the first leg with a 65th-minute header.

That left the tie in the balance and Arsenal looked set to claim victory after being awarded a free-kick following a foul by Kavanagh . Van Persie stepped up and curled a simply unstoppable strike into the top corner of the net.

It was Wigan who were to have the last word, Roberts squeezing between Sol Campbell and Philippe Senderos to score the decisive goal.