Kazim-Richards goal sends Arsenal out of Cup

Arsenal put in an extremely disappointing display as they were knocked out of the FA Cup to Championship side Blackburn after a 1-0 defeat at the Emirates. The Gunners had 26 shots and 16 corners but still failed to find the net in a game in which we dominated from start to finish. However in typical Arsenal fashion, we went and lost and there was once again questions over the management team and the board in control of the club. The goal that we conceded was easily avoidable which meant it was even more frustrating as Walcott failed to track the run of Olsson and then Szczesny spilt the ball straight into the path of Colin Kazim-Richards who rather scruffily found the back of the net. There were plenty of changes to the squad as expected but it was still a squad which you would feel that would have been able to beat a Championship side. Coquelin came in at right back due to Jenkinson's suspension. Meanwhile Oxlade-Chamberlain, Rosicky and Diaby all started. There was also a place for the returning Gervinho out on the flank but as usual he proved to be an extremely frustrating figure in this Arsenal team.

Rosicky was Arsenal's stand out performer but he couldn't prevent them from losing to Blackburn

The first chance of the game fell Blackburn's way as Pedersen's free-kick was flicked into the path of Marcus Olsson at the back post but he put his effort wide.

Arsenal's first chance also came from a free-kick as Diaby got his head to the ball but once more it went wide.

Diaby then got another chance as he got on the end of Rosicky's corner but Kean was there to make a great save to deny the Frenchman.

The resulting corner almost ended up in a goal as Rosicky's delivery was met by Vermaelen but Kean scrambled across his goal to keep it out.

Minutes before the break Gervinho had a fantastic chance to give the Gunners the lead. Rosicky managed to slip the ball through the defence and into the Ivorian but he somehow slid the ball wide.

The score at half time was 0-0.

Arsenal's first proper attempt on goal came from Diaby as he got space to work off a shot from outside the area but it flew harmlessly wide.

The Gunners were having plenty of attempts on goal and their next two both cleared the bar once more as first Diaby headed over and then Oxlade-Chamberlain rather spectacularly failed to find the net.

Rosicky who was Arsenal's brightest player on the day then went close as he drove a shot from range which flashed wide of the goal.

Shortly after, Rosicky had another chance and it was even closer this time as the Czech was allowed time to smash a shot which crashed back off the cross bar.

However, out of nowhere, Blackburn took the lead. Walcott didn't track his runner and Olsson was allowed to get on the end of a flick on. The Swede then struck a shot which Szczesny parmed out into the path of Kazim-Richards. He hit a shot into the ground which then found the post, and then the back of the net.

Into the last 10 minutes and Nacho Monreal had a chance to score his first goal for the club. The ball fell to him just inside the area but he drove the ball wide.

Theo Walcott had looked pretty lively since coming on and he almost found the equaliser but his header from close range was saved by Kean.

There was two final chances though as in the dying moments of injury time Giroud saw a shot blocked and then Arteta drilled into the side netting.

The final score finished Arsenal 0-1 Blackburn.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Coquelin, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Monreal, Arteta, Diaby, Rosicky(71), Oxlade-Chamberlain(71), Gervinho(71), Giroud. 
Subs: Mannone, Sagna, Wilshere(71), Cazorla(71), Ramsey, Walcott(71), Podolski. 

Blackburn: Kean, Orr, Hanley, Dann, Olsson, Williamson, Lowe, Pedersen, Olsson(64), Kazim-Richards, Rhodes(82).
Subs: Usai, Givet, Rekik, Bentley(64), Nunes, Nuno Gomes, Goodwillie(82). 

My man of the match: Tomas Rosicky

Referee: Mike Dean
Attendance: 60,070