Arsenal come from behind to reach next round of FA Cup

Arsenal had to come from two goals down to ensure they were still in with a shout of winning the FA Cup. Two penalties from Van Persie and a lucky goal from Walcott completed a remarkable comeback against Aston Villa at the Emirates on Sunday evening. With Richard Dunne and Darren Bent giving Villa a two goal advantage going into the break, the task of reaching the next round of the FA Cup looked out of sight for the Gunners. However it was three goals in seven minutes which took Arsenal into the fifth round to play either Sunderland or Middlesborough away from home. For the cup tie, Fabianski and Coquelin returned from injury to replace Szczesny and Djourou whilst Sagna and Arteta were on the bench also returning from injury, long and short term injuries respectively. 

Van Persie scored two penalties as Arsenal reached the 5th Round of the FA Cup

The first chance of the match came to Arsenal from a free kick after Keane had handled the ball. Van Persie layed the ball off to Vermaelen who hit a ferocious shot which Given had to be at full stretch to keep the ball out.

Arsenal's next chance fell to Walcott, who after Rosicky's ball through to him, raced clear of the Villa defence but only to slice his shot wide of the goal.

However it was Aston Villa who took the lead, as on the half hour mark, Richard Dunne headed home. Robbie Keane was allowed to get to the byline and then chip the ball to the back post and onto the head of Dunne who put Villa ahead.

Oxlade-Chamberlain and Rosicky then tested Given in quick succession. The first came from Rosicky who from the edge of the area tried to place the ball into the back of the net,however, proving unsuccesful. Chamberlain's attempt was from further out but Given was once again there to stop Arsenal from equalising.

Despite Arsenal having the majority of the ball, it was Villa who doubled their lead. Agbonlahor was allowed to find Bent who then after seeing his first shot saved by Fabianski got to the rebound to find the net from a tight angle.

The score at half time was 2-0 to Aston Villa.

The first chance of the second half came to Mertesacker as from Van Persie's corner, the German's header, which was going in, was cleared off the line by Ireland.

Nine minutes into the second half, Arsenal were awarded a penalty after Ramsey was brought down by Dunne. Van Persie stepped up and sent Given the wrong way to put Arsenal back into the game at 2-1.

Two minutes later, Arsenal had their equaliser. Walcott was allowed to get to the byline and then hit a shot which came off the post.The ball then found its way to Hutton who smashed the ball off Walcott and into the back of the net.

The Gunners comeback was then completed just after the hour mark as Van Persie scored another penalty. Koscielny raced forward from defence and was then brought down by Bent. The Arsenal skipper once again stepped up to take the penalty and comfortably converted it to make the score 3-2 to Arsenal.

Walcott was then allowed to beat his man again as he fired in another shot, which this time, was saved by Given.

Aston Villa were then given a decent chance to equalise as Ireland's ball found Clark with a free header, but it was straight at Fabianski who made a comfortable save.

The final score finished Arsenal 3-2 Aston Villa.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Fabianski, Coquelin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Song, Ramsey, Rosicky(71), Walcott(89), Oxlade-Chamberlain(89), Van Persie.
Subs: Szczesny, Sagna(89), Arteta(71), Benayoun, Arshavin, Park, Henry(89).

Aston Villa: Given, Hutton, Cuellar, Dunne, Warnock, Clark, Petrov(82), Ireland, Agbonlahor(72), Keane, Bent.
Subs: Guzan, Lichaj, Baker, Gardner(72), Bannan(82), Heskey, Weimann.

My man of the match: Thomas Rosicky

Referee: Michael Jones
Attendance: 60,019