This is an international weekend and we don’t get to watch our favourite clubs in action until next week.
Therefore, it’s a good time to reflect and take stock of our club’s performances.
Who would have imagined that the champions of England, Europe and the World could lose two matches in a row?
Thank goodness they don’t have to play this weekend…otherwise it would have been the third straight loss! Man United should be grateful for the international break otherwise they could have surrendered the lead this weekend.
Chelsea was expected to give a close competition to United, but again the Blues have not been convincing despite the lively performances of Michael Essien. The aging squad is finally finding it difficult to cope with the frenetic pace of the Premiership.
Little wonder that the honeymoon enjoyed by their interim manager is finally over. Liverpool is the form team currently. The Reds will continue to pound teams left right and centre until the day they met the Gunners.
However, having said that, it doesn’t mean that the Poodles won’t drop points. They will have the occasional draw here and there against the likes of Sunderland and Stoke City.
Currently Arsenal are exactly where they would want to be, given the season’s fortunes of draws and injuries. A top four position and on course in the cup competition is good returns so far. Actually with just ten points difference, the Gunners could eventually surprise everyone including themselves with a late title push. The ball is round and it can roll to any side, so is the title!
{Kenyan Arsenalist}
So fake tickets have been sold to unsuspecting fans! Who has done it? Now we have been warned that anybody holding a fake ticket will be promptly arrested if they attempt to gain entry into the stadium today.
The question is, as an ordinary supporter how will I know that the ticket I am holding is fake? The best thing is for us all to stay away from this risk by staying in our homes on that day.
Then Taiwo Atieno will not play, aah! Some of us were so enthused at the thought of seeing something a little different from what we are used to. If as FKL are alleging Fifa had okayed the young man to play what is this other fear of appeal by anybody else? Isn’t Fifa the know it all and the say all about matters football?
Finally can our sports writers stop their unpatriotism and support the team coach? I have in mind the various unfavourable words you have been using when referring to coach Antoine Hey.
{Kenyan fan - Via Email}
There is a concerted effort to stop Manchester United’s procession to a third consecutive Premier League title. All Manchester haters have gone green at the prospect of the Red’s nipping a quintuple.
It does not matter how the Devils are to be stopped but stop them at all costs including hacking down Cristiano Ronaldo.
It kills me when people pass around this crap that Manchester United stars are protected. Of course you know the purveyors of this hatred— Arsenal Goons.
Ronaldo is receiving the worst kind of treatment in the premier league and Red Devil fans fear he could opt for Real Madrid in the summer.
Rooney was raging after Phil Dowd’s poor handling of the Fulham game. If Paul Scholes sending off was correct, Rooney’s was far from it.
Yet it is the hurting Arsenal fanatics who are yapping the loudest that Ronaldo is ever whining forgetting they cried the loudest when Birmingham’s mowed down their average Eduardo da Silva.
Do they want the same to happen to our dear Ronaldo? What will it serve them yet we are not playing in the same league?
While Manchester aspire to play in the Uefa champions League, the Gooners aspire for Uefa Cup. To ye all Manchester haters, the championship title is going nowhere? Unless of course you come with jawbreakers at Old Trafford and with help of such referees as Phil Dowd!
Sir Alex is too experienced enough to let the title slip. Arsenalists have pointed out to 1998 when their massively underachieving side overhauled Manchester’s 10-point lead to win the first of their only three titles.
That is another decade. What they should be worrying about is the prospect of meeting Red Devils at the semis of Champions League.
Pray that you lose to the Yellow Submarines to avoid misery at Old Trafford. If you asked me whether you should kill me tomorrow or today, I would the latter. It is no use living through hell waiting for the hangman. Rather than go to El Madrigal and pack the bus in front of goal like 2006, Arsenal should open up and bow to the sword.
March 28, 2009
March 18, 2009
FA Cup - Arsenal book semi-final date
Arsenal came from behind to beat Hull City 2-1 at the Emirates and book an FA Cup semi-final date with Chelsea at Wembley.
Veteran Nick Barmby put Hull ahead with a deflected effort on 12 minutes, but Robin van Persie blasted home an emphatic equaliser with 15 minutes remaining.
William Gallas won the game for Arsenal late on, but Hull players protested strongly that the Frenchman's 84th-minute header should have been ruled out for offside.
Hull packed five into midfield and dominated the early exchanges, out-muscling Arsenal in the tackle and dictating the pace of the match.
Phil Brown's side were clearly in the mood for an upset. When Manucho brushed aside the challenge of Johan Djourou in the third minute and spun to run on goal, it served as a message of intent.
The visitors went ahead when Andy Dawson's chipped pass invited Barmby to run into the Arsenal box and shoot first-time over his left shoulder. Barmby's volley deflected off the unfortunate Djourou and sailed beyond Lukasz Fabianski for his first FA Cup goal in eight years.
Soon after Gallas was booked for a foul on Peter Halmosi and Geovanni drew a fine save from Fabianski with his swerving 25-yard free-kick.
On 24 minutes Barmby looked to have doubled Hull's lead when he tapped home Dawson's low drive, but the goal was rightly ruled out for offside.
Arsenal were all at sea, but gradually the home side began to string together some possession and their creative talents started to reveal their worth. Carlos Vela drove to the byline and sent over a dangerous cross on 38 minutes, but his pass just eluded the onrushing Arsenal attackers.
Andrey Arshavin collected Theo Walcott's deflected cross minutes later, but his goalbound effort was blocked by a brave lunge from Sam Ricketts.
There was still time for Arshavin to scream a volley just wide from the left corner of the penalty area, but Hull held on and took a slim 1-0 lead into the break.
Arsenal came out for the second half firing on all cylinders. Abou Diaby should have levelled with a free header from Arshavin's corner on 52 minutes, but his downward effort skipped wide of the post.
Arsene Wenger was beginning to get desperate. Nicklas Bendtner and Samir Nasri entered the fray and the home side played for the final 25 minutes with five in attack.
On 69 minutes Van Persie drew a fingertip save from Myhill with a curling free-kick from 30 yards. Two minutes later the Dutchman crashed a header against the bar from eight yards.
But Van Persie would not be denied. When Arshavin unselfishly teed him up on 74 minutes he smashed a shot into the roof of the net from close range to give Arsenal a deserved equaliser.
Arsenal immediately went in search of a winner. With 10 minutes remaining Myhill dropped a high ball and Bendtner had a shot blocked inside the six-yard box with the goal gaping.
Then, with five minutes remaining, Myhill was beaten to a high ball by Djourou and Gallas headed home from close range to win the game. Gallas was clearly offside as Djourou and the keeper jumped, with replays proving inconclusive as to which player got the crucial flick through to the Arsenal man.
Nonetheless, on the balance of play Arsenal unquestionably deserved to progress, having dominated against a valiant and refreshingly positive Hull side.
Wenger's team are now set for their first appearance at the new Wembley on Saturday April 18, where they will face Gallas's former club Chelsea.
I am waiting for Arshavin/Fabregas Combination, it is coming soon surely we are going to see some great football over there at Wembley.I think of Fabregas intelligence and talent, then i think of what i see in Arshavin, and am speechless,this will be the best combination after that of Patrick Viera and Thiery Henry.
Veteran Nick Barmby put Hull ahead with a deflected effort on 12 minutes, but Robin van Persie blasted home an emphatic equaliser with 15 minutes remaining.
William Gallas won the game for Arsenal late on, but Hull players protested strongly that the Frenchman's 84th-minute header should have been ruled out for offside.
Hull packed five into midfield and dominated the early exchanges, out-muscling Arsenal in the tackle and dictating the pace of the match.
Phil Brown's side were clearly in the mood for an upset. When Manucho brushed aside the challenge of Johan Djourou in the third minute and spun to run on goal, it served as a message of intent.
The visitors went ahead when Andy Dawson's chipped pass invited Barmby to run into the Arsenal box and shoot first-time over his left shoulder. Barmby's volley deflected off the unfortunate Djourou and sailed beyond Lukasz Fabianski for his first FA Cup goal in eight years.
Soon after Gallas was booked for a foul on Peter Halmosi and Geovanni drew a fine save from Fabianski with his swerving 25-yard free-kick.
On 24 minutes Barmby looked to have doubled Hull's lead when he tapped home Dawson's low drive, but the goal was rightly ruled out for offside.
Arsenal were all at sea, but gradually the home side began to string together some possession and their creative talents started to reveal their worth. Carlos Vela drove to the byline and sent over a dangerous cross on 38 minutes, but his pass just eluded the onrushing Arsenal attackers.
Andrey Arshavin collected Theo Walcott's deflected cross minutes later, but his goalbound effort was blocked by a brave lunge from Sam Ricketts.
There was still time for Arshavin to scream a volley just wide from the left corner of the penalty area, but Hull held on and took a slim 1-0 lead into the break.
Arsenal came out for the second half firing on all cylinders. Abou Diaby should have levelled with a free header from Arshavin's corner on 52 minutes, but his downward effort skipped wide of the post.
Arsene Wenger was beginning to get desperate. Nicklas Bendtner and Samir Nasri entered the fray and the home side played for the final 25 minutes with five in attack.
On 69 minutes Van Persie drew a fingertip save from Myhill with a curling free-kick from 30 yards. Two minutes later the Dutchman crashed a header against the bar from eight yards.
But Van Persie would not be denied. When Arshavin unselfishly teed him up on 74 minutes he smashed a shot into the roof of the net from close range to give Arsenal a deserved equaliser.
Arsenal immediately went in search of a winner. With 10 minutes remaining Myhill dropped a high ball and Bendtner had a shot blocked inside the six-yard box with the goal gaping.
Then, with five minutes remaining, Myhill was beaten to a high ball by Djourou and Gallas headed home from close range to win the game. Gallas was clearly offside as Djourou and the keeper jumped, with replays proving inconclusive as to which player got the crucial flick through to the Arsenal man.
Nonetheless, on the balance of play Arsenal unquestionably deserved to progress, having dominated against a valiant and refreshingly positive Hull side.
Wenger's team are now set for their first appearance at the new Wembley on Saturday April 18, where they will face Gallas's former club Chelsea.
I am waiting for Arshavin/Fabregas Combination, it is coming soon surely we are going to see some great football over there at Wembley.I think of Fabregas intelligence and talent, then i think of what i see in Arshavin, and am speechless,this will be the best combination after that of Patrick Viera and Thiery Henry.
March 14, 2009
The Gunners extended their Premier League unbeaten run to 15 games by romping past Blackburn Rovers
New signing Andrei Arshavin scored his first Premier League goal as Arsenal romped to a 4-0 win over Blackburn Rovers at the Emirates Stadium.
The Russian netted the Gunners' second after an own-goal by Andre Ooijer gifted Arsenal the lead in just the second minute.
Substitute Emmanuel Eboue swooped twice in the final two minutes, once from the penalty spot, to seal all three points and extend Arsenal's unbeaten run to 15 games.
The result saw Arsene Wenger's side into fourth place while Rovers remain perilously close to the drop zone on 30 points, just one ahead of Stoke who occupy the final relegation spot.
The hosts got off to the best possible start, Arshavin apparently bundling the ball over the line after the effervescent Theo Walcott had delivered a cross into the danger area.
Initially the goal was given to the Russian but was later credited to Blackburn defender Ooijer, the Dutchman having got the final touch in the near post scramble.
Walcott posed a constant danger throughout and the England international appeared to enjoy getting the upper hand on three different left-backs employed by Blackburn over the 90 minutes - Gael Givet, Stephen Warnock and then Martin Olsson.
Givet and Warnock were both forced off through injury, although their departures from the pitch may well have come as a relief to both of them, given the run-around Walcott had given them.
But for all his pace and skill, for the most part the flying winger still lacks an end product - the shot he dragged wide of the mark just after the break was testament to that.
That chance came at the start of a dominant period of play for Arsenal, during which Walcott teed up Nicklas Bendtner to slice wide of the mark before himself launching a flying volley which Paul Robinson had to paw round the post.
While Walcott was busy wooing the crowd, Bendtner could do nothing right and he infuriated the assembled masses with a string of misses that smacked of a player lacking confidence.
The Dane's best chance of the day came in the 64th minute when he was played through on goal but he was foiled by Robinson, who was quick to come off his line.
A minute later, Arshavin showed him how to do it with a brilliant piece of finishing having beaten his man Danny Simpson at the by-line. The playmaker advanced on goal, waiting for Paul Robinson to go to ground before lifting the ball into the roof of the net.
Bendtner was withdrawn 15 minutes later and with he could only watch from the bench as Eboue - on as an 83rd minute replacement for Samir Nasri - found the net twice in four minutes.
The two chances were the type an out-of-sorts striker dreams about, the first being laid on a plate after Robinson could only parry Arshavin's shot into Eboue's path. All that was left to do was stab over the line.
And then the Ivorian stepped up to convert a penalty in the second minute of time added on after Carlos Vela had been tripped by a clumsy Olsson challenge.
The Russian netted the Gunners' second after an own-goal by Andre Ooijer gifted Arsenal the lead in just the second minute.
Substitute Emmanuel Eboue swooped twice in the final two minutes, once from the penalty spot, to seal all three points and extend Arsenal's unbeaten run to 15 games.
The result saw Arsene Wenger's side into fourth place while Rovers remain perilously close to the drop zone on 30 points, just one ahead of Stoke who occupy the final relegation spot.
The hosts got off to the best possible start, Arshavin apparently bundling the ball over the line after the effervescent Theo Walcott had delivered a cross into the danger area.
Initially the goal was given to the Russian but was later credited to Blackburn defender Ooijer, the Dutchman having got the final touch in the near post scramble.
Walcott posed a constant danger throughout and the England international appeared to enjoy getting the upper hand on three different left-backs employed by Blackburn over the 90 minutes - Gael Givet, Stephen Warnock and then Martin Olsson.
Givet and Warnock were both forced off through injury, although their departures from the pitch may well have come as a relief to both of them, given the run-around Walcott had given them.
But for all his pace and skill, for the most part the flying winger still lacks an end product - the shot he dragged wide of the mark just after the break was testament to that.
That chance came at the start of a dominant period of play for Arsenal, during which Walcott teed up Nicklas Bendtner to slice wide of the mark before himself launching a flying volley which Paul Robinson had to paw round the post.
While Walcott was busy wooing the crowd, Bendtner could do nothing right and he infuriated the assembled masses with a string of misses that smacked of a player lacking confidence.
The Dane's best chance of the day came in the 64th minute when he was played through on goal but he was foiled by Robinson, who was quick to come off his line.
A minute later, Arshavin showed him how to do it with a brilliant piece of finishing having beaten his man Danny Simpson at the by-line. The playmaker advanced on goal, waiting for Paul Robinson to go to ground before lifting the ball into the roof of the net.
Bendtner was withdrawn 15 minutes later and with he could only watch from the bench as Eboue - on as an 83rd minute replacement for Samir Nasri - found the net twice in four minutes.
The two chances were the type an out-of-sorts striker dreams about, the first being laid on a plate after Robinson could only parry Arshavin's shot into Eboue's path. All that was left to do was stab over the line.
And then the Ivorian stepped up to convert a penalty in the second minute of time added on after Carlos Vela had been tripped by a clumsy Olsson challenge.
Liverpool Drops a huge Hammer on Manchester United at Old Trafford
Liverpool capped a fantastic week by coming from behind to beat 10-man Manchester United 4-1 at Old Trafford to rekindle their Premier League title challenge.
Following a thrilling 4-0 midweek win over Real Madrid in the Champions League, Liverpool cut the gap on leaders United to four points thanks to goals by Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard, Fabio Aurelio and Andrea Dossena.
United, who had Nemanja Vidic dismissed in the second half, took the lead through Cristiano Ronaldo only for Liverpool to fight back and give their title hopes receive a huge shot in the arm, even though United still have a game in hand on their rivals from Merseyside.
Ronaldo's opener came from a well-taken spot kick on 22 minutes after Pepe Reina had brought down Park Ji-Sung with a reckless challenge in the Liverpool penalty area.
But United's lead lasted just six minutes as the visitors launched a thrilling comeback, sparked by two uncharacteristic errors from a defensive unit that has been lauded for much of the season.
First, the usually unflappable Vidic opted to allow a long Martin Skrtel clearance to bounce, allowing the snappy Torres to apply pressure on him. The Serb duly cracked as he was outmuscled by the Liverpool striker, who ran in on goal and beat Edwin van der Sar with a typically cool finish.
And then just before half-time, Patrice Evra - much like Reina before him - made a terrible error of judgement with a trip on Gerrard as the Liverpool skipper burst into the United box.
As with the earlier penalty, referee Alan Wiley had no choice but to point to the spot, from where Gerrard kept his nerve to fire past Van der Sar and put Liverpool into a half-time lead.
United started the second half with real intent, but another awkward moment from Vidic in the 76th minute when the Serb failed to control the ball on his thigh allowed Gerrard to rob him and burst forward.
Vidic completed a miserable personal afternoon by hauling down Gerrard and promptly receiving a red card - his second against Liverpool this season, having already been dismissed at Anfield in September. To make matters worse for United, Aurelio stepped up to fire the resulting free-kick into the top right hand corner to put Liverpool 3-1 up.
Substitute Andrea Dossena completed the rout in stoppage time with a fine chip over Van der Sar after the United back line, Rio Ferdinand more specifically, once again failed to deal with a long ball forward.
The result was all the more impressive considering Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez had to cope with an enforced late change to his plans after Alvaro Arbeloa injured his calf in the pre-match warm-up.
The unexpected blow forced Jamie Carragher into occupying the right-back position, a post the centre-back is not entirely comfortable in, with Sami Hyypia starting in the middle.
But Liverpool had Carragher to thank after just three minutes, the defender finding himself in a more central position to make a crucial block on Park's shot from that seemed destined to cause Reina problems.
Reina proved to be a central character during the opening period, and not just for his error of judgement for the penalty. The Spaniard looked shaky on crosses and his spill from Ronaldo's 34th minute free-kick - with the score level at 1-1 - nearly led to a second for United - only his quick reaction prevented Carlos Tevez pouncing from close range.
Michael Carrick, off-form by his high standards this season, then fashioned a chance for United to re-take the lead on 42 minutes with a neat turn but his shot flew just over the bar.
United, roared on by a vocal crowd, started the second period strongly and of the two sides, it was the hosts who looked the more likely after the break to grab the next goal.
Ronaldo struck a post with a mis-hit cross soon after the restart before Wayne Rooney and then Tevez - preferred to Dimitar Berbatov in Alex Ferguson's starting line-up - were given shooting opportunities.
Rooney brought Reina into action, but Tevez failed to work the Liverpool keeper, screwing his effort wide of the upright after having turned on the edge of the box.
But the dismissal of Vidic - and Aurelio's stunning strike from the resulting free-kick - effectively put paid to United's hopes of getting back into the game as Liverpool began to enjoy themselves with the final whistle approaching.
Even before Dossena swooped at the death, Liverpool would have grabbed another had Gerrard not blazed over from Ryan Babel's cute back heel.
No matter; Liverpool did go on to get a fourth, sealing a famous win over their bitter rivals as Benitez recorded a 100th Premier League victory.
Com`on you Reds,...
Following a thrilling 4-0 midweek win over Real Madrid in the Champions League, Liverpool cut the gap on leaders United to four points thanks to goals by Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard, Fabio Aurelio and Andrea Dossena.
United, who had Nemanja Vidic dismissed in the second half, took the lead through Cristiano Ronaldo only for Liverpool to fight back and give their title hopes receive a huge shot in the arm, even though United still have a game in hand on their rivals from Merseyside.
Ronaldo's opener came from a well-taken spot kick on 22 minutes after Pepe Reina had brought down Park Ji-Sung with a reckless challenge in the Liverpool penalty area.
But United's lead lasted just six minutes as the visitors launched a thrilling comeback, sparked by two uncharacteristic errors from a defensive unit that has been lauded for much of the season.
First, the usually unflappable Vidic opted to allow a long Martin Skrtel clearance to bounce, allowing the snappy Torres to apply pressure on him. The Serb duly cracked as he was outmuscled by the Liverpool striker, who ran in on goal and beat Edwin van der Sar with a typically cool finish.
And then just before half-time, Patrice Evra - much like Reina before him - made a terrible error of judgement with a trip on Gerrard as the Liverpool skipper burst into the United box.
As with the earlier penalty, referee Alan Wiley had no choice but to point to the spot, from where Gerrard kept his nerve to fire past Van der Sar and put Liverpool into a half-time lead.
United started the second half with real intent, but another awkward moment from Vidic in the 76th minute when the Serb failed to control the ball on his thigh allowed Gerrard to rob him and burst forward.
Vidic completed a miserable personal afternoon by hauling down Gerrard and promptly receiving a red card - his second against Liverpool this season, having already been dismissed at Anfield in September. To make matters worse for United, Aurelio stepped up to fire the resulting free-kick into the top right hand corner to put Liverpool 3-1 up.
Substitute Andrea Dossena completed the rout in stoppage time with a fine chip over Van der Sar after the United back line, Rio Ferdinand more specifically, once again failed to deal with a long ball forward.
The result was all the more impressive considering Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez had to cope with an enforced late change to his plans after Alvaro Arbeloa injured his calf in the pre-match warm-up.
The unexpected blow forced Jamie Carragher into occupying the right-back position, a post the centre-back is not entirely comfortable in, with Sami Hyypia starting in the middle.
But Liverpool had Carragher to thank after just three minutes, the defender finding himself in a more central position to make a crucial block on Park's shot from that seemed destined to cause Reina problems.
Reina proved to be a central character during the opening period, and not just for his error of judgement for the penalty. The Spaniard looked shaky on crosses and his spill from Ronaldo's 34th minute free-kick - with the score level at 1-1 - nearly led to a second for United - only his quick reaction prevented Carlos Tevez pouncing from close range.
Michael Carrick, off-form by his high standards this season, then fashioned a chance for United to re-take the lead on 42 minutes with a neat turn but his shot flew just over the bar.
United, roared on by a vocal crowd, started the second period strongly and of the two sides, it was the hosts who looked the more likely after the break to grab the next goal.
Ronaldo struck a post with a mis-hit cross soon after the restart before Wayne Rooney and then Tevez - preferred to Dimitar Berbatov in Alex Ferguson's starting line-up - were given shooting opportunities.
Rooney brought Reina into action, but Tevez failed to work the Liverpool keeper, screwing his effort wide of the upright after having turned on the edge of the box.
But the dismissal of Vidic - and Aurelio's stunning strike from the resulting free-kick - effectively put paid to United's hopes of getting back into the game as Liverpool began to enjoy themselves with the final whistle approaching.
Even before Dossena swooped at the death, Liverpool would have grabbed another had Gerrard not blazed over from Ryan Babel's cute back heel.
No matter; Liverpool did go on to get a fourth, sealing a famous win over their bitter rivals as Benitez recorded a 100th Premier League victory.
Com`on you Reds,...
March 13, 2009
The Gunners edge past Roma
Arsenal FC finally came out on top against AS Roma after a nail-biting penalty shoot-out which denied the home side the chance to pursue their dream of playing the UEFA Champions League final in their own Stadio Olimpico. While Roma coach Luciano Spalletti said his team "leave the competition with their heads held high", visiting forward Theo Walcott was looking forward to the next challenge, saying: "It doesn't really matter who you get, it's going to be a tough game, so, yes, just bring it on."
Gunners go for it.
March 09, 2009
Arsenal swept past Burnley with a convincing 3-0 victory in their FA Cup fifth round tie at the Emirates Stadium.
Carlos Vela repaid his manager Arsene Wenger's faith in handing him a rare start with an exquisite dinked finish over Brian Jensen in the 25th minute.
Eduardo then doubled Arsenal's lead with a stunning volley in the second half, before Emmanuel Eboue finished the game off with aplomb in the 84th minute.
The result was no less than Arsenal deserved after a commanding performance, keeping possession comfortably for long periods, with Owen Coyle's side unable to get a grip on the game.
Eboue dallied at the crucial moment in the eighth minute as he looked to open the scoring with Vela in attendance, but Gary Caldwell made a superb last-ditch tackle to deny the midfielder, who was ten yards out.
But when the deadlock was broken in the 25th minute, it was well worth waiting for. Chris Eagles squandered possession, before Andrei Arshavin broke sharply and fed the ball to the Mexican, who drew Jensen out of his goal and proceeded to dink the ball over the keeper with incredible composure.
Vela almost doubled his individual tally after he was put clean through by Alexandre Song, but a fine saving tackle, this time from Clarke Carlisle denied the striker, who was brimming with confidence.
Eduardo showed he is coming back to full sharpness with a surge through the middle of the Burnley defence, but again Caldwell was on hand to hack the ball away at the vital moment, with the striker about to unleash his shot.
Arsenal keeper Lukasz Fabianski enjoyed a relatively quiet afternoon, but he made a complete hash of coming for a corner just before half-time, missed his punch entirely, with William Gallas sparing his blushes with Martin Paterson lurking ominously.
Eduardo, who was made captain, then doubled his side's lead with a sublime volleyed finish to cap a composed display. Song curled a cross to the back post which the Croat met crisply to beat leave Jensen helpless.
Eduardo then found himself with a free header ten yards out, but failed to net for a second time, heading wide of Jensen's far post with the whole ground expecting to see the net bulging.
Theo Walcott was introduced in the second half along with Aaron Ramsey and Robin van Persie, which reinvigorated the home side, who were beginning to find their play fragmented.
But the pacey winger missed a good chance to score shortly after coming on, streaking through to meet Song's pass, but striking his shot straight into the body of the diving Jensen.
Van Persie then sliced wide horribly from ten yards with the goal at his mercy, but Arsenal were not finished; Eboue scored the home side's third with a powerful finish after Song had backheeled the ball superbly into his path.
Wenger's side will now entertain Hull in the next round after gaining confidence from a convincing display, and buoyed by the return of key players.Dan Quarrell / Eurosport
Eduardo then doubled Arsenal's lead with a stunning volley in the second half, before Emmanuel Eboue finished the game off with aplomb in the 84th minute.
The result was no less than Arsenal deserved after a commanding performance, keeping possession comfortably for long periods, with Owen Coyle's side unable to get a grip on the game.
Eboue dallied at the crucial moment in the eighth minute as he looked to open the scoring with Vela in attendance, but Gary Caldwell made a superb last-ditch tackle to deny the midfielder, who was ten yards out.
But when the deadlock was broken in the 25th minute, it was well worth waiting for. Chris Eagles squandered possession, before Andrei Arshavin broke sharply and fed the ball to the Mexican, who drew Jensen out of his goal and proceeded to dink the ball over the keeper with incredible composure.
Vela almost doubled his individual tally after he was put clean through by Alexandre Song, but a fine saving tackle, this time from Clarke Carlisle denied the striker, who was brimming with confidence.
Eduardo showed he is coming back to full sharpness with a surge through the middle of the Burnley defence, but again Caldwell was on hand to hack the ball away at the vital moment, with the striker about to unleash his shot.
Arsenal keeper Lukasz Fabianski enjoyed a relatively quiet afternoon, but he made a complete hash of coming for a corner just before half-time, missed his punch entirely, with William Gallas sparing his blushes with Martin Paterson lurking ominously.
Eduardo, who was made captain, then doubled his side's lead with a sublime volleyed finish to cap a composed display. Song curled a cross to the back post which the Croat met crisply to beat leave Jensen helpless.
Eduardo then found himself with a free header ten yards out, but failed to net for a second time, heading wide of Jensen's far post with the whole ground expecting to see the net bulging.
Theo Walcott was introduced in the second half along with Aaron Ramsey and Robin van Persie, which reinvigorated the home side, who were beginning to find their play fragmented.
But the pacey winger missed a good chance to score shortly after coming on, streaking through to meet Song's pass, but striking his shot straight into the body of the diving Jensen.
Van Persie then sliced wide horribly from ten yards with the goal at his mercy, but Arsenal were not finished; Eboue scored the home side's third with a powerful finish after Song had backheeled the ball superbly into his path.
Wenger's side will now entertain Hull in the next round after gaining confidence from a convincing display, and buoyed by the return of key players.Dan Quarrell / Eurosport
March 08, 2009
Arsenal v Burnley - Match Preview
FA Cup: Arsenal v Burnley - Match Preview
'It is an important game and it is not one we will treat lightly'
By Chris Harris
If you believe the bookies - and they're not often wrong - Arsenal's best chance of ending the season with silverware lies with the FA Cup.
The Gunners are a staggering 250/1 for the title, a tempting 11/1 for the Champions League and only 4/1 to lift the famous old trophy at Wembley in May. If they do get their hands on a cup, Arsène Wenger's side will be following in the footsteps of some of English football's most successful sides.
George Graham's Arsenal lifted the League Cup in 1987, Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United scooped the FA Cup in 1990 and Jose Mourinho's Chelsea won the Carling Cup in 2005. All three wins created camaraderie, all three built momentum - and all three clubs secured the League title within three years of their initial triumph.
This season's FA Cup could serve as an equally effective launchpad for Wenger's young side. The Frenchman is convinced that his team can challenge for every honour in the seasons to come and he sees the FA Cup as a significant stepping stone on the road to greater things.
"I am a great believer that this team will win everything - but the earlier the better," Wenger told Arsenal TV Online.
"What is most important is that I am confident we will have the complete focus to do it. We are not far from the end [of that road], but that's where your winning attitude is tested as well, when the pressure becomes bigger and bigger. How will we respond to that? I am confident we will respond well."
Burnley stand between Arsenal and another home tie against Hull City in the FA Cup Quarter-Finals and the Clarets won't be taken lightly. Owen Coyle's attack-minded team have already dispatched West Brom in this season's competition and, lest we forget, beat Fulham, Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal in the Carling Cup this term.
Wenger could not help but be impressed by Burnley's performance at Turf Moor in December when goalkeeper Brian Jensen kept them out at one end while Kevin MacDonald scored twice at the other to secure a famous 2-0 victory. Arsenal's manager rates Burnley - and he thinks the entire Championship has made a big step forward.
"It is much better than five years ago and much better than three years ago," said Wenger. It improves every year because there are so many foreign players and that means many good English players have to go down to the Championship. As a result the level has gone up so much so it is different for every Premier League clubs to beat them.
"Sometimes when you are away in a hotel we can watch Championship games on Friday night and sometimes on Sunday before we play. It is a good level I must say and it is a little bit like the Premier League because every team is difficult to beat.
"You know we experienced that with Plymouth in the Third Round. They are fighting not to go down but it was a difficult game for us.
"The gap between the Premier League and the Championship is closing. You look at the teams who have come up this year and usually all three went down straight away. Now there are 10 games to go and maybe West Brom is favourites to go down but the other two teams - Hull and Stoke - have as many chances to stay up as the other teams.
"As for Burnley, they have fantastic teamwork and good drive going forward and a good technical level. I think they have very good mobility.
"They play with natural width and Chris Eagles is a very good player. He has done very well against us and we need to keep him quiet. But Gibbs knows him well now and Gibbs will certainly play on Sunday. It will be a good task for him."
Gibbs will be one of the beneficiaries of Wenger's rotation policy in the FA Cup while Lukasz Fabianski will resume his role as 'Cup keeper' on Sunday. But the big team news is the expected return of Theo Walcott, who hasn't played since dislocating his shoulder while on international duty in November. Eduardo will also feature if he shrugs off the hamstring injury he suffered during his comeback game last month while William Gallas is fit to replace Kolo Toure, who limped out of the Hawthorns in midweek with a calf problem.
Next week's Champions League return leg at Roma looms large but, for now, the FA Cup is the only thing on Wenger's mind.
"It is an important game and it is not one we will treat lightly. We treat it with respect and focus," he said.
"First of all, we want to keep our run going. The best way to go into the next game against Roma is to win on Sunday. The best way to prepare is to win the game before.
"The FA Cup still has its magic. It has the magic of being qualified and the magic of going to Wembley - it has a historical significance as well. It means having something special in your daily life, something that suddenly happens which keeps everybody focused."
If Arsenal do stay focused, that 4/1 might look rather generous come May.
If you believe the bookies - and they're not often wrong - Arsenal's best chance of ending the season with silverware lies with the FA Cup.
The Gunners are a staggering 250/1 for the title, a tempting 11/1 for the Champions League and only 4/1 to lift the famous old trophy at Wembley in May. If they do get their hands on a cup, Arsène Wenger's side will be following in the footsteps of some of English football's most successful sides.
George Graham's Arsenal lifted the League Cup in 1987, Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United scooped the FA Cup in 1990 and Jose Mourinho's Chelsea won the Carling Cup in 2005. All three wins created camaraderie, all three built momentum - and all three clubs secured the League title within three years of their initial triumph.
This season's FA Cup could serve as an equally effective launchpad for Wenger's young side. The Frenchman is convinced that his team can challenge for every honour in the seasons to come and he sees the FA Cup as a significant stepping stone on the road to greater things.
"I am a great believer that this team will win everything - but the earlier the better," Wenger told Arsenal TV Online.
"What is most important is that I am confident we will have the complete focus to do it. We are not far from the end [of that road], but that's where your winning attitude is tested as well, when the pressure becomes bigger and bigger. How will we respond to that? I am confident we will respond well."
Burnley stand between Arsenal and another home tie against Hull City in the FA Cup Quarter-Finals and the Clarets won't be taken lightly. Owen Coyle's attack-minded team have already dispatched West Brom in this season's competition and, lest we forget, beat Fulham, Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal in the Carling Cup this term.
Wenger could not help but be impressed by Burnley's performance at Turf Moor in December when goalkeeper Brian Jensen kept them out at one end while Kevin MacDonald scored twice at the other to secure a famous 2-0 victory. Arsenal's manager rates Burnley - and he thinks the entire Championship has made a big step forward.
"It is much better than five years ago and much better than three years ago," said Wenger. It improves every year because there are so many foreign players and that means many good English players have to go down to the Championship. As a result the level has gone up so much so it is different for every Premier League clubs to beat them.
"Sometimes when you are away in a hotel we can watch Championship games on Friday night and sometimes on Sunday before we play. It is a good level I must say and it is a little bit like the Premier League because every team is difficult to beat.
"You know we experienced that with Plymouth in the Third Round. They are fighting not to go down but it was a difficult game for us.
"The gap between the Premier League and the Championship is closing. You look at the teams who have come up this year and usually all three went down straight away. Now there are 10 games to go and maybe West Brom is favourites to go down but the other two teams - Hull and Stoke - have as many chances to stay up as the other teams.
"As for Burnley, they have fantastic teamwork and good drive going forward and a good technical level. I think they have very good mobility.
"They play with natural width and Chris Eagles is a very good player. He has done very well against us and we need to keep him quiet. But Gibbs knows him well now and Gibbs will certainly play on Sunday. It will be a good task for him."
Gibbs will be one of the beneficiaries of Wenger's rotation policy in the FA Cup while Lukasz Fabianski will resume his role as 'Cup keeper' on Sunday. But the big team news is the expected return of Theo Walcott, who hasn't played since dislocating his shoulder while on international duty in November. Eduardo will also feature if he shrugs off the hamstring injury he suffered during his comeback game last month while William Gallas is fit to replace Kolo Toure, who limped out of the Hawthorns in midweek with a calf problem.
Next week's Champions League return leg at Roma looms large but, for now, the FA Cup is the only thing on Wenger's mind.
"It is an important game and it is not one we will treat lightly. We treat it with respect and focus," he said.
"First of all, we want to keep our run going. The best way to go into the next game against Roma is to win on Sunday. The best way to prepare is to win the game before.
"The FA Cup still has its magic. It has the magic of being qualified and the magic of going to Wembley - it has a historical significance as well. It means having something special in your daily life, something that suddenly happens which keeps everybody focused."
If Arsenal do stay focused, that 4/1 might look rather generous come May.
Hey, see you in the field.
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