I still find it difficult to quite work out what is going on when he misses chances. A bit like a computer crashing. It isn’t supposed to, it usually ticks over nicely

Match Review – Arsenal 3 Burnley 0 – FA Cup

Alex Song back heal to Eboue, to fire past the keeper..

Tell that to some fans before yesterdays game and you would have heard chuckles, actually most probably groans. Today everything will be rosy again. Some will begrudgingly praise, some will blame the opposition and some will keep away but today is not a day for that, it is a day for looking at Arsene’s big picture plan.

Burnley were beginning to make a reputation of Capital giant killers this season, they even put our kids to the sword in the Carling cup but this time the Arsenal side had a little more than just promising kids making a step up from reserve football.

Although Wenger predictably jumbled around his team with Roma in mind, the side he put out had quality all over the pitch. I am sure his fatigue chart looks more levelled out across the squad now that Clichy, Van Persie. Bendtner, Denilson, Almunia and Toure were all rested.

The likes of Arshavin, Eduardo, Diaby and Vela would have been enough to trouble the Championship outfit.

When I saw the line up I was surprised about a few selection choices, I was lead to believe that Walcott was closer to starting than Eduardo was. Also the Vela / Eduardo partnership was tested for the first time. Bendtner after his two goals is being rested when a run could do his goal tally as well as his confidence the world of good, but I said I do not have the yards (or is it metres these days) covered in front of me.

I had a few buzzing pre match thoughts buzzing round my head when I took in the line up.

The Vela / Eduardo partnership should mean that our team should not have problems in taking chances, they are the best finishers at the club in my opinion.

I am looking forward to seeing if there is chemistry between Arshavin and Eduardo. Arshavin needs Eduardo’s movement as Eduardo needs Arshavin’s vision.

Alex Song set the tone in the 5th minute by forming his own personal wall in front of the Gunners back four, he stepped in and blocked Ronald who was charging into the penalty area.

That was the start that he needed because the rest that followed from him was fantastic. Burnley were by far the better side for about 60 seconds at the kick off, after that the rest belonged to us.

The little Russian started to do his best impression of Denny B early on in the game, one slipped pass to Vela was slightly over hit while one angled pass found Eboue in the box but he was (apparently) tackled by a Burnley player. I only say that because I did not see a clear replay of Eboue being tackled. And I am relying on commentators and pundits who would love nothing more than Arsenal losing to a Championship team.

My early thoughts on the game was that Eduardo was have a pretty quiet time, wasn’t heavily involved in the build up play but his strike partner certainly was. I received a text message from a Gooner mate of mine saying ‘Vela is the new Winterburn’ referring to his tendency to use his left foot. Hopefully he will balance that out in time but currently he is very one sided.

The first goal of the game (two first half goals in a row!) came in the 25th minute, Arshavin slipped a pass inside to Vela who was just ahead of the center circle, he pushed it through a Burnley players legs and the chase was on, Vela was running through on goal with opposition players in close pursuit, so close that he was having his shirt pulled in the process. I have stated many times that I want to see Vela through the middle doing what he does best and not on the left wing. Well he showed what he does best with a delightful lifted flick over the advancing keeper.

What a finish. It was one of Vela’s Carling cup finishes. He cannot do that on the left wing, he cannot do it on the right. Movement and finishing seem to be his strong points.

Carlos was almost in again following a lovely through pass from Alex Song, Vela was thwarted by a last ditch tackle from Clarke Carlisle. Alex Song was obviously growing in confidence, he was patrolling the midfield as if he owned the pitch. Winning tackles like we knew it could, but keeping possession with both feet. Some of his passes were fantastic, chipping the ball into the fullbacks path. You would be forgiven if you thought Cesc Fabregas was playing. Ok maybe you wouldn’t, they look totally different, don’t be so silly.

Emmanuel Eboue had a good chance to score on half time but his shot lacked power and conviction.

I was talking to a mate of mine about how quiet Eduardo had been during the half, maybe is lacking some sharpness I said, well 5 minutes later he showed up in a big big way.

The excellent Alex Song picked up the ball about 40 yards away, he floated a diagonal pass into the penalty area which fell to the left foot of Eduardo, the deadly assassin swung his left boot and connected with the outside of his heal. It took a while to work out exactly what he had done but there is no doubt that he meant what he did. Superb.

Arsenal showed how the squad has grown in experience and depth on the hour mark when Carlos Vela was withdrawn and Robin Van Persie was brought on in his place.

Eduardo should have made it 3 a few minutes later when he flashed a header wide of the far post. I still find it difficult to quite work out what is going on when he misses chances. A bit like a computer crashing. It isn’t supposed to, it usually ticks over nicely. We have to remember that Eduardo has only played in two first team matches since a serious injury and he can produce this quality already. I look forward to witnessing 6 months of being a first choice player.

On 70 minutes Arsene made a double change, Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey replaced Eduardo and Abou Diaby. Theo Walcott joined Van Persie up front which was an interesting choice. Theo looks to have bulked up since we last saw him, perhaps apprenticeship as a winger has come to an end and now Wenger is grooming him into the center forward position. Whichever position he continues to play he will have strong competition.

Theo Walcott almost grabbed a goal on his return match, his shot was smothered after being put through on goal. Theo gives the attack that extra burst of speed that is needed to stretch teams. He has good movement and is a good finisher, like many of our strikers I think he would do very well with a run behind him.

Theo was back in the action after jinking past a few Burnley players to perfectly dink a perfect cross to Van Persie who got his left foot volley all wrong.

The surreal moment of the match happened in the 84th minute, A ball was rolled into Alex Song on the edge of the penalty area, he was running away from the goal but pulled out a fantastic disguised back heal to Eboue who darted into the box, Eboue fired it low and into the corner of the net. What a goal, and great combination by two of the hate figures around the club. That will do the pair of them the world of good.

So Arsenal take a step closer to a semi final tie with Chelsea, but we have to find the resources to be beat Hull City at home first. If the boys play like they did then it shouldn’t be a problem.

Nice touch from Wenger to give Eduardo the captaincy, he is clearly well liked by everyone at the club, included the supporters. His finishing will be key for the remainder of the season. Top Gun could be handed over to half of the team for a great display, Gibbs, coming in again and deputing wonderfully well for Clichy. Vela’s movement was fantastic, he showed what he can do in his natural striking position. But the game belonged to Alex Song who had more or less a complete performance. Broke up the opposition attacks, played it simple, played it long and had two assists to his name.

We are growing from strength to strength, the unbeaten run contines and we are still waiting for Cesc and Rosicky to join in. Happy days ahead.