Arsenal Triumph Up North In 5.15 Shocker!

Last week I came back from watching the game and ranted about Arsenal's performance at Bramall Lane before taking the time to cool down a little.. It's only fair I should do the same this week.

Hands up, who gave us a chance of returning from Anfield with a two goal winning margin given their home form, our away form in 5.15 kick-offs in the north, and the absence of Fabregas? Well fair play to you mate, because I certainly didn't.

And fair play also to Arsene Wenger. This was not a triumph for typical Arsenal flair. This was a tactical triumph by one leading coach over one of his major rivals. Flamini and Gilberto sat deep and provided protection for the back four. Hleb and Rosicky were given the task of working up and down the channels and providing the creative spark once they had covered their respective full-backs.

Rosicky it was who took his instructions to heart. Just when it seemed the game was drifting into a stalemate between two teams refusing to lose, up popped Tomas with a sumptuous curling strike from the inside-right berth. Before the half-time whistle blew, eight minutes later, 'Little Mozart' had a knocked in another twenty yarder, courtesy of Liverpool's biblical defending. They just parted in front of him!

The second period, perhaps not surprisingly, saw the Gunners falling back deeper and deeper. At one point they appeared to be defending the six yard line. Inevitably Liverpool pulled a goal back, as Kuyt was somehow left unmarked from a set piece to head beyond the despairing lunge of Almunia.

A word here for the second string keeper. He was understandably slaughtered for the late goals that saw Barcelona take the Champions League Final from our grasp last May. Tonight he was a giant, clawing crosses from the air with sure handling, spreading confidence to those in front of him. Well played Manuel.

Some praise too for Clichy, who restricted Pennant to a moaning, whingeing wreck of a player long before the end, and Senderos, who overcame the setback of a booking for his first mistimed challenge to withstand the aerial bombardment that an increasingly desperate home team launched.

Then there was Thierry. Aided, it has to be said, by some dreadful defending by Carragher, Henry produced a trademark goal to finally prise the holders fingers from the FA Cup. He was duly withdrawn to tumultuous applause from the visiting Gooners. This must have been the sweetest moment for him in an otherwise frustrating season thus far.

So against the odds we are in the hat for the fourth round draw. Liverpool will surely put out another strong side for Tuesdays Carling Cup quarter-final rematch. Wenger now will certainly be more comfortable with a selection of players from the fringes of the squad allied hopefully to one or two wise heads returning from injury.

Could lightening strike twice in such a short space of time? Let's hope so, eh?