By Oliver Yew at the Emirates Stadium
Arsenal closed the gap on Manchester United at the top of Premier League to one point with a hard-fought victory over Stoke City – but the three points came at a cost to Arsene Wenger's side.
With only 14 minutes played at the Emirates Stadium, Gunners captain Cesc Fabregas signalled to the bench to come off after feeling tightness in his hamstring.
To make matters worse for the hosts, Theo Walcott fell awkwardly in the second half and sprained his ankle, which will rule him out of the League Cup final on Sunday.
The news of both injuries was confirmed by Arsene Wenger in his post-match press conference.
"Theo Walcott has an ankle sprain and he is out [of the League Cup final]. For how long, I don't know, but he is definitely out of Sunday," Wenger told reporters after the match.
"Fabregas has a hamstring problem. We will assess that tomorrow. It is impossible to see how serious it is tonight. We will know tomorrow."
"It is a concern that he [Fabregas] is injured but it can happen unfortunately," Wenger added.
"He is very upset, as I am as well, it is not his fault, and it is not my fault, it is just part of sport. It is strange when it happens so early in the game but we have to face it."
The prospect of being without Walcott, who has scored 11 goals so far this season, and possibly their inspirational captain Fabregas, will be hard to bare for Gunners' fans as they bid to end a near six-year trophy drought. The performances of players such as Jack Wilshere, Johan Djourou and Wojciech Szczesny in the 1-0 win over Stoke will provide comfort that they can overcome Alex McLeish's Birmingham at Wembley.
All three players have been part of Arsene Wenger's youth policy and this season they have all featured in the north London club's run to League Cup final.
They showed their biggest sign yet on Wednesday night that they have turned from boys into men and are ready to deliver a trophy for the first time since 2005.
Szczesny has been a huge positive for Arsenal this season.
For a long time Wenger's problem position has been between the sticks but those worries are now in the past. From his very first performance this season in the 4-0 win against Newcastle in the League Cup he showed his world class potential with a stunning fingertip save from an Alan Smith thunderbolt.
Ever since then he has got better with every game, claiming seven clean sheets in 14 appearances so far this season, securing his position as Arsenal's No.1. In the League Cup he has kept clean sheets in three of the four ties he has played in.
But there is no bigger test for a goalkeeper in the Premier League than the aerial threat Stoke put you under. With Rory Delap's long throws in the side, the Potters bombarded the area from all positions and all angles aiming for the head of John Carew but the 20-year-old 'keeper and the Arsenal defence coped surprisingly well.
The experience and the clean sheet against Tony Pulis' side will stand the young Polish 'keeper in good stead for the challenge of Birmingham and their 6ft 8in forward Nikola Zigic.
While Szczesny has been a steady influence behind the Arsenal back four, it has been Johan Djourou who has marshaled it superbly since he came back into the side.
This season has seen the Swiss international avoid injury and have a sustained run in the first-team. He has been a revelation for the Gunners and has played a huge part in their success so far this season.
It is no coincidence that when Arsenal had their major blip a few weeks ago at St James' Park – they conceded a four goal lead to Newcastle in the second half to draw 4-4 – they were not missing Fabregas, Walcott or Robin van Persie, but Djourou.
He left the field with an injury that day and in the space of 45 minutes Arsenal crumbled, but against Stoke he and his defensive colleagues stood firm when in previous years they might not have come through a test against such a physical side.
On Sunday, the 24-year-old will make his fifth League Cup appearance this season and in those games Arsenal have only conceded two goals. The centre-back, who spent a period on loan with Birmingham in 2007, is a vital part of Wenger's side now and will play a crucial role on Sunday.
But the ace in Arsene's pack is definitely young midfielder Jack Wilshere.
The England international has taken all the plaudits over the past few weeks for his performances for Arsenal and his England debut against Denmark.
Last week he took on Xavi and Iniesta at their own game and succeeded while this week he stood up to the test of Stoke.
His all-round game is of the highest order and he endears himself to the Arsenal fans with his high work-rate. He can attack and defend, pass and tackle but it is his commitment which gets the Arsenal fans buzzing.
The 19-year-old has grown up with Arsenal and this was shown when he made a 30-yard run to track back with Jermaine Pennant. He shepherded the ball out for a goal-kick and all around the Emirates' faithful were getting to their feet applauding the youngster.
Add to this a knack of finding space in amongst a huge crowd of players and Birmingham will have their hands full with a player who grows in stature with every game.
So despite the disappointment of losing England winger Walcott and with captain Cesc Fabregas a big doubt for the Wembley final, all is not lost for Arsenal. They have strength in depth which has not been seen at the club for years and they are starting to show the kind of resilience which wins trophies.
Wilshere, Szczesny and Djourou are part of this new found strength in Arsene Wenger's side and, despite the loss of some key players, Arsenal have the talent along with the character to end their long wait for a major trophy.
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