Carling Cup final - in pictures

Wembley ground manager Tony Stones gives the lines a quick sharpening ahead of today's cup final. A new Desso Pitch identical to the one at the Emirates Stadium has been laid. Doubtless that'll please the Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Inside the stadium, referee Mike Dean briefs his officials before the game Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

In the Arsenal dressing room, the players' kits and boots have been neatly lined up prior to their arrival Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Cesc Fábregas, the Arsenal captain, won't feature today following the injury he sustained against Stoke. Who'll be leading the team out in his stead? Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Plenty of boots to choose from in the Birmingham City dressing - three pairs each, by the look of it Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Even the ball boys get their own dressing room! Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Up in the BBC TV studio, Gary Lineker, Alan Hansen, Alan Shearer and Lee Dixon discuss the teams' chances. The Gunners have not lifted any silverware since the FA Cup in 2005 while Birmingham have waited considerably longer - their last success was the 1963 League Cup Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Here's Alex McLeish, the Birmingham manager, arriving on the team coach Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Lee Bowyer and his team-mates make their way into the stadium Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Fans trudge up Wembley Way in the rain Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Tom Jenkins

Invited guests enjoy a fancy meal in the Grat Hamm Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Mike Dean gets a massage before the match Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Better not forget those ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Several Mitre match balls are inflated and brought to the referee's room Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

The official team-sheets arrive. They show Robin van Persie will captain the Gunners while Stephen Carr will captain Birmingham Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

McLeish speaks to the media. Doesn't look like he's giving much away, though Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Arsenal's Gael Clichy waits in the tunnel shortly before kick-off. It's quite cold outside, but the Frenchman seems to think one glove will suffice Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Out they go ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

There's the prize at stake Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Arsene Wenger makes his way to the bench Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Where Theo Walcott & Fabergas seem to be having a laugh despite the injuries which have prevented them from taking part today Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Arsenal's fans make themselves heard as the game gets under way Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

The pundits and bookies have written off Birmingham before the match. Samir Nasri looks to prove them right early on, but Roger Johnson flies in to curb the danger Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Birmingham keeper Ben Foster spills the ball as he races from his line Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Nasri escapes the attentions of Lee Bowyer Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Wenger doesn't look too happy. But he's got no reason to moan - his side should be a goal and a man down. However, a terrible decision by the linesman denied Birmingham a clear penalty when Lee Bowyer was felled by the Arsenal keeper Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Justice is served in the 28th minute when Nikola Zigic leaps to put Birmingham in front Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

The 6ft 7inch Serbian beats Wojciech Szczesny to the ball and his header sails into the empty net. 1-0 to Birmingham Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Bowyer winces in pain after another unforgiving challenge Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Jack Wilshere and Barry Ferguson holler at the referee Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Birmingham have been dominant since taking the lead but Arsenal, led by Wilshere, spring a quick counter. The 19-year-old fires an effort at goal which canons off the crossbar ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

... Andrey Arshavin collects the rebound and crosses to Van Persie, who flashes an instinctive volley across the face of the goal and into the far corner. It's 1-1 with six minutes until half time Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

But the Dutchman drops to the floor in pain having smashed his shin into the defender's leg as he executed the shot Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

McLeish tries to reorganise his players Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Ben Foster has to make a number of fine saves to deny Arsenal in the second half. Here, he foils Arsenal's Johan Djourou Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Wilshere finds a novel way to halt Ferguson Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

But Wilshere's defensive team-mates are in more generous mood, gifting Obafemi Martins a tap-in in the 89th minute Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

The final whistle blows after four minutes of stoppage time, sending Birmingham's players delirious Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Foster - the hero of the second half - joins in with wild celebrations Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Arsenal's players are despondent. Laurent Koscielny, in the centre, was at fault for the winning goal as he and goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny failed to clear a seemingly harmless ball into the box Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

The red ribbons are removed from the cup Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Wilshere looks teary-eyed as he receives his loser's medal Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

... before Stephen Carr holds the trophy aloft for Birmingham Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Alex McLeish gets his hands on the cup and looks pretty chuffed about it, too. It's been a thoroughly deserved victory for the Blues Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Bowyer is greeted by cheering supporters as he wanders into the tunnel Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Martins is mobbed by the media ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Martins has got himself a souvenir - the builder's hat which was given to him by one of the fans during the post-match celebrations Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian