Walcott out of Carling Cup final

Arsenal's Theo Walcott has been ruled out of the Carling Cup final with a sprained ankle.

The England winger fell awkwardly after a challenge from Dean Whitehead in Arsenal's 1-0 win over Stoke City on Wednesday.
Cesc Fabregas was also substituted with a hamstring injury and is a doubt for Sunday's final against Birmingham City.
"Walcott has an ankle sprain and he's out, for how long I can't tell you, but for Sunday he is definitely out," said Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.
"Fabregas has a hamstring problem but we will assess that tomorrow, tonight it is impossible to say how serious it is. We will know more about it tomorrow."
The Gunners moved to within a point of Manchester United courtesy of Sebastien Squillaci's seventh minute header at the Emirates Stadium.

Team Realised

It was not a vintage display from Arsenal but Wenger praised his side's resolve against a Stoke team that tested them with several long balls and throws into the box.
"I think we have matured, certainly," he said. "We can win a game tonight when we are less creative, less fluent, but with intelligence, brain and calm. That is what has changed.
"Before, one or two years ago when we were not at our best, we dropped points. Tonight you could see the team realised 'let's not make the mistake' and I must give a lot of credit to my players."
Tony Pulis felt his side performed well after a difficult opening 10 minutes that saw Walcott hit the inside of the post before his side conceded.
"In the first 10 minutes of the game [Arsenal] could have been out of sight," he said.
"We looked like rabbits in the headlights to be honest. Any phase of play, whether it was from a set play or free-flowing football, they looked like they were going to score goals. It looked as though it was going to be a long night.
"Gradually we got back into the game and from our second-half showing we are desperately disappointed we didn't get anything from the game."