CYNICS have suggested that the entire Wigan Athletic fan-base could fit into the Freight Rover van they were awarded for winning a cup 21 years ago, but they should not struggle to shift tickets for the first significant final in their history. Any casual supporter watching last night cannot fail to have been impressed by the fighting spirit that took them past Arsenal on away goals, not to mention the 3,000 hardy souls who went crazy at the conclusion of a stirring night at Highbury.

Paul Jewell’s impressive side have been proving their critics wrong all season, but rarely in such spectacular fashion. With 71 seconds remaining in extra time they were going out of the competition as gallant losers until a long ball from Graham Kavanagh caused panic at the heart of the Arsenal defence, not for the first time this season.

Jason Roberts shrugged off the attentions of Sol Campbell and Philippe Senderos before poking the ball past Manuel Almunia to send the visiting supporters into dreamland. Moments later, the bedlam had spread as Dave Whelan joined his players and manager on the pitch, although the Wigan chairman needed a quick explanation of the rules before accepting that his side had made it through to the final, at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on February 26.

“It was not that many years ago that we were playing non-league football in the Lancashire Combination, but now we are going to a cup final,” Whelan said. “To win like that was fantastic. I didn’t realise it myself — when Brenda Spencer, my chief executive, was jumping up and down at the end, I didn’t know what was going on and she had to tell me we’d gone through.”

Whelan is one of the few Wiganers to have played in such a big game, having represented Blackburn Rovers in the 1960 FA Cup Final, but after this stirring fightback he need not fear that his players will suffer stage fright. Jewell played down his expectations of the final, as he has been doing in the Premiership all season, but even the might of Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers have cause to be worried on this showing. “I think I might get a new suit,” Jewell said. “

It’s great for the supporters who’ve come down and the night will live with them for ever. It doesn’t matter who we get in the final, we’ve lost to them both this season.

“I don’t like to show my emotion too much but I couldn’t help myself at the end. I thought the players deserved it and we were fantastic. We had three penalties turned down, saved one and deserved it, but I would say that. Getting to the Premiership was the best thing we’ve ever done unless we win the Premiership. Staying in the Premiership will be even better, but this is a nice bonus.”

Jewell refused to praise individuals on a night when all his players became heroes, but alongside Roberts, the contribution of Mike Pollitt, a veteran goalkeeper with his twelfth club, stood out. The 34-year-old was sent off on his last visit to Highbury, with Rotherham United three years ago, but more than erased that memory, keeping Wigan in the tie with a series of magnificent stops, including a 21st- minute penalty save from José Antonio Reyes. Not that it prevented him preparing for some more.

“It was the game of my life and I made quite a few saves there,” Pollitt said. “I didn’t realise we’d gone through and was preparing for penalties. I’d completely forgotten about the away-goals rule. The chairman was dancing on the pitch with us at the end and the fairytale continues.”

Having named his strongest side, Arsène Wenger, the Arsenal manager, was bitterly disappointed, not just at the manner of the defeat but at its ultimate cost.

After Robin van Persie, with a superb 25-yard free kick, had added to Thierry Henry’s opener, headed in from Kerrea Gilbert’s cross, Arsenal appeared to be going through in extra time. Their disappointment was magnified soon afterwards when it was revealed that Henry, Lauren and Campbell will miss Saturday’s FA Cup tie away to Bolton Wanderers with hamstring injuries.

“I have no choice as you cannot play players who are injured,” Wenger said. “I want to focus on the Premiership and get back into the Champions League position. They’re not in a position in which they can play again.”

ARSENAL (4-4-2): M Almunia — K Gilbert, P Senderos, S Campbell, Lauren — A Hleb (sub: R Pires, 68min), Gilberto Silva, A Diaby (sub: M Flamini, 46), J Reyes — D Bergkamp, T Henry (sub: R van Persie, 79). Substitutes not used: M Poom, J Djourou. Booked: Reyes, Gilbert.

WIGAN (4-4-2): M Pollitt — P Chimbonda, S Henchoz, P Scharner, L Baines — G Teale, J Bullard, G Kavanagh, A Mahon (sub: R Ziegler, 63) — N Mellor (sub: A Johansson, 62), J Roberts. Substitutes not used: J Filan, M Jackson, D Francis. Booked: Scharner, Kavanagh, Chimbonda.

Referee: P Dowd.

THE ROAD TO WIGAN CHEER

From Hereford to Cardiff — in less than 30 years as a League club, Wigan can celebrate reaching their first leading final

1978: Elected to Football League, first match 0-0 away to Hereford United

1982: Promoted to old third division

1993: Relegated to new third division

1997: Third division champions

1999: Win Auto Windscreens Shield, beating Millwall 1-0

2003: Second division champions

2005: Win automatic promotion to Premiership

2006: At present sixth in Premiership and beat Arsenal to reach Carling Cup