Arsenal 2-1 Wigan (2-2 on agg, Wigan win on away-goals rule): The fairytale for manager Paul Jewell continued at Highbury last night as striker Jason Roberts capped an all-action performance with a priceless away goal in the last minute of extra-time to send Wigan into the English League Cup final.

A stunning Robin van Persie free-kick in the third minute of the second period of extra-time seemed enough to send Arsenal through after Thierry Henry had levelled the tie on 108 minutes.

Goalkeeper Mike Pollitt saved a first-half penalty from Jose Antonio Reyes, but he could do little to keep out Henry's header on 65 minutes.

When the tie looked as though it would be decided by penalties Van Persie stepped up to smash home his free-kick from 25 yards.

There was more drama to come, however, as Roberts scrambled in a crucial away goal following a long punt upfield.

Wigan had set the tempo for the evening with a bright start. Inside the opening five minutes, Jimmy Bullard tested Manuel Almunia from range, his low strike well held by the Arsenal reserve goalkeeper.

There was another warning sign for the hosts when Roberts skipped past Kerrea Gilbert down the Wigan left and played in Alan Mahon. His shot was well hit from just inside the box, but straight at Almunia.

At the other end, Stephane Henchoz threw himself in the way of Alexander Hleb's drive as Arsenal pressed again.

Then Pollitt took centre stage when he saved Reyes' penalty in the 21st minute. Henchoz had cut out Henry's cross with his hand, leaving referee Phil Dowd with little option but to point to the spot. Reyes struck the spot-kick well enough but Pollitt guessed correctly and pulled off a fine save low to his left.

Then at the other end, Wigan looked to have a strong penalty claim turned down when Philippe Senderos appeared to bundle over Roberts after the striker had got goal-side.

Pollitt soon made another fine save, this time with his legs, as Henry skipped clear down the left and into the area.

With eight minutes left of the first half, Wigan had another good penalty claim when Roberts was again manhandled, this time by Sol Campbell.

From the resulting loose ball, Gary Teale's effort was blocked on the line by Lauren.

The home side were quick out of the blocks at the start of the second half. Henry again got clear down the left channel, and raced into the area. He drew the goalkeeper, but once more Pollitt denied the Frenchman with a superb low one-handed save.

All of a sudden, however, the tie was level. Gilbert was released down the right, and the youngster whipped over a perfectly-weighted cross for Henry to head home powerfully from six yards. And so the tie moved into extra-time.

Pollitt produced another flying save from the top drawer to deny Dennis Bergkamp, cutting in the from the right, on 103 minutes.

Then, with 12 minutes left, Kavanagh upended Pires, on the right. From the resulting free-kick, Van Persie smashed in stunning 25-yard strike over the wall.

That looked to have been enough, but Roberts got on the end of Graham Kavanagh's long ball forward to seal his side's place at Cardiff with a dramatic last-minute effort - and a potential place in the Uefa Cup next season.

ARSENAL: Almunia, Gilbert, Senderos, Campbell, Lauren, Hleb (Pires 69), Silva, Diaby (Flamini 45), Reyes, Bergkamp, Henry (Van Persie 79). Subs Not Used: Poom, Djourou. Booked: Reyes, Gilbert. Goals: Henry 65, Van Persie 108.

WIGAN: Pollitt, Chimbonda, Scharner, Henchoz, Baines, Teale, Bullard, Kavanagh, Mahon (Ziegler 63), Roberts, Mellor (Johansson 60). Subs Not Used: Filan, Jackson, Francis. Booked: Scharner, Kavanagh, Chimbonda. Goals: Roberts 119.

Referee: P Dowd (Staffordshire).