FA Cup - Arsenal comeback stuns Villa
Robin van Persie netted twice from the penalty spot as Arsenal came from two goals down to beat Aston Villa 3-2 at the Emirates Stadium and book their place in the FA Cup fifth round.
Richard Dunne and Darren Bent had put the visitors in command at the break but the Gunners were given a lifeline at the start of the second half when Dunne upended Aaron Ramsey, and Van Persie coolly dispatched the resulting spot-kick.
Within two minutes, Theo Walcott had levelled via a fortunate ricochet and then another penalty from their captain completed the turnaround to send Arsene Wenger's men through to the last 16 against Sunderland or Middlesbrough.
Arsenal - who had lost three successive Barclays Premier League games to lose ground on the top four - started quickly.
Thomas Vermaelen lashed a 25-yard strike goalwards after being set up from a free-kick by Van Persie, though Villa keeper Shay Given touched over.
On 13 minutes, Walcott collected Tomas Rosicky's pass and skipped into the Villa box, but could only blast his shot past the near post.
Despite being pegged back, Villa defended resolutely and looked dangerous on the break through Bent and Keane.
Gabriel Agbonlahor broke away for Villa down the near side, but then sent his cross too deep through the Arsenal penalty area.
It was no real surprise when the visitors took the lead on 33 minutes.
A well-worked corner saw Stiliyan Petrov's backheel release Keane, who floated the ball through the Arsenal six-yard box where Dunne got up above a static defence to power in a header.
Arsenal looked for an immediate response, with Given needing two attempts to gather a low shot from Rosicky.
Ramsey ghosted into from the left, and was blocked at the near post by Given.
The Villa stopper then beat away Oxlade-Chamberlain's low, 20-yard strike, before the visitors broke away to make it 2-0 just before half-time.
Stephen Ireland fed Bent and his angled drive was parried away by Lukasz Fabianski, but the England striker was first to the loose ball and slotted it in from the tightest of angles.
Arsenal had regrouped during the interval and were quickly back on the offensive as Per Mertesacker's header from a corner was cleared off the line by Ireland.
Another flowing Arsenal move opened up the Villa defence, but Ramsey stabbed his shot straight at the keeper.
The Gunners were awarded a penalty on 54 minutes Dunne upended Ramsey after he latched onto Alex Song's through-ball.
Van Persie made no mistake from the spot, sending Given the wrong way as he slotted into the bottom-left corner, to give the tie new life.
Within two minutes, Arsenal were level.
Walcott darted into the right side of the Villa penalty area and stabbed the ball across the goal-line, where Alan Hutton smashed his clearance back against the England forward and it ricocheted into the net.
The Emirates Stadium faithful, so critical of Wenger in last weekend's 2-1 defeat by Manchester United, were now in full voice as the home side continued to sweep forwards.
Laurent Koscielny burst down the left and into the edge of the Villa box, where he was caught from behind by Bent and again referee Mike Jones pointed to the spot.
Van Persie stepped up once more, this time putting the ball into the bottom right corner for goal number 25 of the season to complete the turnaround on the hour.
Villa were left stunned but to their credit, and roared on by a 5,000-strong travelling contingent, they looked to break quickly through Agbonlahor.
Walcott cut in from the right and Given had to be alert to beat away his angled drive, the rebound falling just behind Van Persie.
Petrov beat the offside trap, but his cutback was booted clear by Mertesacker.
Ciaran Clark glanced a header goalwards, which Fabianski held and the Gunners closed out the final 10 minutes to take their place in round five, faith in manager Wenger restored.
Comment 114 - 133 of 133
why blame arsene he can only spend what the club will allow him to come on arsenal give him the money he has saved you enough by now joyce northampton
come on arsenal.......all hail the gunners for their stunning display.......
well i think its time to sell off certain players like Arshavin and also Diaby.... Chamberlain is becoming my 1st choice over theo walcott......
guess who is the worst rsenal fan it is the person who calls himself¬ bone¬ he says that van persie should go,what kind of a fan is he?
though they( oppenents ) shall try but with our collective resilience, we'll continued to over-come our enemies; Gunners must be in Europe next year. top four is not elusive to the Gunners yet; watch out for the remaining games of the season.
this is one of the worse arsenal teams i have seen, if Van persie has any sense ,he should go, and wenger should go too, hes been rebuilding and ripping up the team for the last 6 years, how much more time does he need, i can see us getting another drumming soon, i fear Ac milan will give it to us.
ARSENAL were lucky !! They had the ref on their side for sure
Henry came back to help arsenal close in on a fourth spot........ ha ha ha ha..... FUNNY !!!
They will finish well behind Tottenham this season!
LIKE THIS IF YOU HATE THE ARSE-NAL
everyone knows you just cant get an elbow into a mouth at speed. you have to plan ahead.
Dadi wrote
"If Arsenal wants to eva win a thin, d defense must b tightened no one win wiv such leaking backside, its like diarrhea. Could someone please translate in to English.
2 penalties and a ricochet.
Thats stunning alright.
what can you say LUCK ////////
If Arsenal wants to eva win a thin, d defense must b tightened no one win wiv such leaking backside, its like diarrhea
Walcott performance is not good at all.Many people are disappointed by the slow pace of his supposed translation into a top-notch striker. Chris Waddle made some unflattering comments about him sometimes back.Walcott needs to realize that supporters and his coach are deeply disappointed with him.
If Walcott can pass the ball Arsenal would be scoring more goals, he seems to want to go it alone..Arsenal again are allowing opposition to get a head start then it's catch up again..Van Persie will get a ban for his alleged Elbow, thanks to Villa Manager Alex Mcleish, who mouthed it to the officials. Had Villa won he wouldn't have said a thing. The defence is still fragile despite the improvement of Koncielney, and Mertesacker alongside Vermaelen, but alas they are still woeful. Anyway What chance of Henry playing the full 90mins because Van Persie will get banned for his elbow?
Lets not get carried away here, I find it quite worrying that Arsenal were 2 down before they woke up (as usual). Lets also not forget that 2 of Arsenal's goals were penalties - you could argue that the fouls that lead to the pens prevented a certain goal, but that isn't always a given. Also, not all teams will be as reckless in their own area as Villa, so where are the goals coming from? Walcott couldn't hit a barn door - how he gets into the England team is beyond me, all he has is pace, can't cross the ball and too one-footed.
Big improvements needed all round.
to everyone saying "Arsenal are nothing without RVP" he took the two penalties other than that he didnt do much, theo played well in the 2nd half, Ramsey and Rosicky had a good game, the ox played well. i also think it was dangerous bringing Sagna on as he has been out for so long to come into a fast game with 5 mins to go. overall good result and good display by the TEAM.
One dodgy penalty and an "in-off". Great team Arsenal !!!
Chamberlain is already a better prospect than woeful Theo, and if Wenger thinks this team will win him anything he,s dreaming, Raamsey knows now that good or bad game he,ll still be in the team come saturday and is not fulfilling his potential,Mertsacker is still the same slow non situation creator as when nhe first came, watch him close like I do and you'll see that every time he gets the ball he'll pass it to the nearest team mate , ans as for wenger saying he loves the Rusky as man and player well it's a one way affair , all the rusky wants to do is nothing and draw his wages
its not nice to talk bad about your frend,jst because u r out of the game,great job L/POOL,most of these bad comments dnt anger us coz thats how the gunners r.
hats off to the gunners.wit or witout rvp we still good.we always make players n sale them for good money n its not crzy.we dont need grand dads like thoz of the blues.we r never gunned.
Without Van Persie Arsenal would be in the relegation zone and their manager the almighty what's his name Whinger... or is it Wenger will have saved X amount of pounds. Hmm...wonder where that money goes? There must be a reason why he has held out all this time and bringing back Henry who has sat on the bench most of the games, was a bad move - he's no longer that good! I am not a football professional but it's not rocket science to see that the club rely heavily on Van Persie to score the goals - come on you other strikers give him a bloody holiday and earn your excessive wages which none of you, except Van Persie deserve.
All I can see is that Arsenal need new and better players and definitely a new manager - get packing Wenger the crowd no longer want you!
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