So much has changed since Arsenal last travelled to Ipswich in the League Cup

Last night, Arsenal learned they would travel to Portman Road to face Ipswich Town in the third round of the Carabao Cup.

Tamás Priskin was the only goal-scorer the last time Arsenal travelled to Portman Road in the League Cup - then called the Carling Cup, of course.

It was the first round of the 2011 semi-final, and Arsenal fielded a lineup that consisted of the likes of Laurent Koscielny; the French defender, obviously, didn't cover himself in glory that year.

Ipswich were in full voice, with Portman Road more packed out than it had been in close to a decade. It was clear to see that they had the benefit of the 12th player, because Arsenal struggled throughout the entirety of the match.

Ipswich lineup to face Arsenal: Fulop, Peters, McAuley, Delaney, O'Dea, Edwards, Norris, Healy, Kennedy, Wickham, Priskin

Arsenal lineup to face Ipswich: Szczesny, Koscielny, Djourou, Eboue, Gibbs, Fabregas, Walcott, Denilson, Wilshere, Arshavin, Bendtner

Just a look at those lineups tells you everything you need to know about the era in which these two teams last faced each other in the League Cup.

At the time, nobody would have expected Ipswich to take the lead in the first leg, but in hindsight, given what we know now about that Arsenal team, it is probably the least surprising thing in the world. The only thing less surprising is that the Gunners ultimately won the tie in the second leg and went on to lose the final, but alas.

Ipswich were fresh off the sacking of Roy Keane - a name that is all too familiar to Arsenal fans. The bitter sting of being humiliated 7-0 by Chelsea in the FA Cup still hurt, too. They were fighting relegation in the Championship, but still, the optimism was there to welcome Arsenal under the Suffolk lights.

At the time, Arsenal were suffering a six-year trophy drought. That is nothing, considering how much longer they had to wait for one after that year.

Ipswich are obviously a much better club in 2026 than they were in 2011. However, they are not in the position they're in now because they've been handed it. In fact, quite the opposite.

Four years after this meeting with Arsenal at Portman Road, the Tractor Boys had a shot at returning to the Premier League. They were defeated in the Championship playoffs by East Anglian rivals Norwich, of all teams.

Then, in 2019, Ipswich's trajectory could have seriously harmed them. They went down to League One, finishing rock bottom in 24th. The signs were there, and admittedly, it took them an uncomfortable amount of time to rebuild, but their story from rags to riches is one that should make Arsenal fans excited to visit them in the League Cup again.

They are now a Premier League outfit again, and it's all thanks to Kieran McKenna.

Arsenal, on the other hand, are in the best position they've been in since the Invincibles. Fresh off winning the Premier League, it didn't come without hardship. Not as much hardship as Ipswich, obviously.

After the 2011 semifinal meeting, in which Arsenal eventually progressed on aggregate, Arsenal went through its worst period in history.

The tensions between fans and owners had never been higher, and many felt Arsène Wenger, who obviously remains a legend, outstayed his welcome.

In the summer of 2011, a few months after Ipswich beat Arsenal at Portman Road, the Gunners signed Mikel Arteta from Everton. It was ultimately his retirement lap as a player, but he was a pivotal midfielder at Arsenal, and he changed the culture of the club bit by bit.

He has since returned to Arsenal as a manager, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Loading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations