Arsenal scored twice in five second-half minutes to come from
behind to beat West Ham at Upton Park and secure their place in
the FA Cup fourth round.
With more pressing matters ahead in their respective Premier League
campaigns at opposite ends of the table, both managers could perhaps
be forgiven for their team selection.
However, once the action got under way, the encounter turned out
to be a decent cup tie.
West Ham, battling relegation from the top flight, took the lead
in first-half stoppage time when Alessandro Diamanti beat the offside
trap to slot past Gunners goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski.
But with 12 minutes remaining the outstanding Aaron Ramsey levelled
and Eduardo's looping header after 83 minutes completed the turnaround.
The Gunners have a crucial Premier League game against Bolton on
Wednesday which could see them narrow the gap to leaders Chelsea
to a point.
But their quest for a first trophy in five years - since they won
the FA Cup in 2005 - remained alive on more than one front as they
entered the fourth round draw, where they were pitted against Stoke.
Even though Wenger had made five changes from the 4-1 win over
Portsmouth in midweek, it was certainly not an inexperienced Arsenal
side, with the likes of Carlos Vela, Fran Merida and Luke Wilshere
included along with veteran defender Mikael Silvestre, captain in
the absence of injured Cesc Fabregas.
The Hammers - famous winners over the Gunners in the 1980 FA Cup
final at Wembley - had come back from 2-0 down here to draw their
league encounter earlier in the season, and started well, with Diamanti
firing over after cutting in from the right.
|
