Arsenal 2 - Liverpool 1: Gunners get revenge for Anfield hammering by knocking out Reds

A WEEK is a long time in politics - so too is eight days in football for Arsene Wenger.
BACK TO WINNING WAYS: Arsenal earned a measure of revenge for last week's heavy loss to Liverpool 
 

Last weekend his Arsenal side were humiliated 5-1 at Liverpool and their title credentials were written off by many.

Yesterday, in this thrilling FA Cup clash, they showed their character to progress through to a quarter-final showdown against Everton.

With one eye at least on facing Bayern Munich in the Champions league on Wednesday, Wenger made seven changes to his starting line-up.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers opted for two from the side which beat Fulham in midweek.

Goals from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lukas Podolski won it for Arsenal, with Steven Gerrard claiming one for Liverpool from the penalty spot.

It was quite a game, featuring all manner of incidents and controversy - most involving Liverpool’s two biggest players.

Skipper Gerrard breathed a sigh of relief after only getting one caution, instead of two and a red card.

But there was disbelief for Luis Suarez who won one penalty but should have had two in the space of just a few minutes.

It could have been all so different if Daniel Sturridge had been sharper in front of goal.

The 20-goal England ace, who had scored in his eight previous appearances, could and should have put Brendan Rodgers men 2-0 up by the fifth minute.

SCORER: Podolski netted Arsenal's second at the Emirates 
 

He also failed when clean through on goal in the second half, with keeper Lukasz Fabianski again his nemesis.

The Pole - who had told Arsenal he is off this summer as he wants regular football - consoled a distressed Sturridge after the final whistle as his rival sat forlornly on the turf at The Emirates.
It had taken Liverpool 10 minutes to go 2-0 up eight days earlier. Sturridge knew he had messed up the chance to cut that time in half.

His first sighting came in the second minute. Gerrard’s through ball found Sturridge and his shot was only just kept out by Fabianksi, with the Liverpool striker almost nutmegging the keeper.
Three minutes later a superb lofted ball from Suarez saw Sturridge go through again, but his touch away from the onrushing Fabianski was too heavy and he could only shoot into the side netting.

There was not a good sign for Arsenal when the debut-making striker Yaya Sanogo got to the byline and tried a cross, but missed the ball with his right foot then saw it bounce off him for a goal-kick.

Sanogo, though, did far better in the 16th minute chesting down Mesut Ozil’s floated ball into the box, then striking a clean half-volley at goal. It hit Gerrard and flew straight to Oxlade-Chamberlain, who side-footed in from 10 yards.

FEED THE OX: Oxlade-Chamberlain converted from close range to give the Gunners the lead 
 

In the 43rd minute Suarez showed just how dangerous he can be, cleverly moving on a long, high pass from Joe Allen then shooting from a tight angle immediately, almost catching out Fabianski, whose reactions were just quick enough to deny him.
Suarez was also sharp again straight after the restart.

Picked out by a clever reverse pass by Allen, he skipped past Laurent Koscielny, then hit a low shot which was destined for just inside the far post until Fabianski stuck out a foot to block.
It was a key save because Arsenal went up the other end to score in the 47th minute.
A slide-rule pass from Ozil - who looked sharp again yesterday - sent Oxlade-Chamberlain bursting away from Daniel Agger.

The Arsenal star picked out team-mate Podolski’s run into the box, with the German beating John Flanagan to the ball to fire home with his right foot.
Suarez half-volleyed over after a cutback from Flanagan and Brad Jones pulled off a decent low stop with his left hand to keep out Ozil’s attempt.

In the 59th minute Podolski clipped Suarez’s heels as he jinked around in the box and Howard Webb pointed to the spot.
Gerrard sent Fabianski the wrong way with his penalty.

LACE ME UP: Sturridge lends a hand to Arsenal keeper Fabianski 

 

In the 62nd minute Sturridge fluffed his third opportunity. A wonderfully-weighted Philippe Coutinho ball into the box sent the England ace through.

But as he tried to round Fabianski, the Gunners’ hero stretched out his right hand to nick the ball away.

Suarez should have won a second penalty in the 65th minute when he pushed the ball past Oxlade-Chamberlain in the box, then was clattered into by the Arsenal man.

Webb was nearby with a perfect view, but ruled no foul, merely wagging his right index finger instead. Suarez couldn’t believe it.

Next the Uruguayan ace smashed a shot into the body of Fabianski.
In the 75th minute Gerrard somehow escaped a second yellow card for taking out Oxlade-Chamberlain from behind.

The England skipper was booed after that by home fans. Coutinho was denied by Fabianski, but the keeper was fortunate when he came and missed a Gerrard free-kick but Agger headed wide.
There was even a dose of humour at the end when Sturridge tied Fabianski’s laces together in stoppage-time. It was just knot his day!