Adebayor had a massive chance to win the game in the 75th minute. Van Persie’s cross flicked off the head of a defender and landed at the feet of Adebayor who mis-kicked and the danger was gone

As FA cup matches go, this was by no means a classic, which when you look at it is quite strange as both teams played football the right way and wanted to win the game. As cliches go, this is probably number 1 on the list.. It was a game of two halves.

Cardiff who have had a good season so far in the championship sprung out of the traps the quickest, Arsenal couldn’t catch them after that. Cardiff took the game to us and passed quickly and forward as often as they could.

Burke had a strike blocked, Ross McCormack glanced a header wide when in an offside position that wasn’t spotted by the assistant referee. Toure and Djourou allowed McCormack in and the Scotsman got in a left footed snap shot in the 14th minute.

Arsenal were desperately clinging on by the skin of their teeth and were unable to get in the game. Cardiff were doing their best to impersonate Barcelona, playing triangles around the Arsenal midfield. They were stronger in the tackle and quicker to the second ball.

Cardiff had two great chances from Ledley and Parry in under a minute but failed to take them.

Arsenal’s first chance was pretty clear cut. 21 minutes on the clock, Arsenal broke at speed. Reminiscent of the Hull City goal, Van Persie spun and slipped in Samir Nasri on the left, instead of hitting it with his weaker side he cut inside on his right foot and tried to pick out the far corner but his strike was not wide enough of the keeper and Enckelman parried away to safety.

Aaron Ramsey was having a game to forget against his former side. He continually gave the ball away and it seemed as if he couldn’t recover. Wenger often speaks of players not being ready and this could be a clear indication of that.

Bendtner had a great chance to score from the break in injury time but his left foot cross shot was blocked and cleared.

So half time we were let off the hook due to some bad Cardiff finishing which is not something us Gooners are used to. The plan is usually us who have all the possession, miss countless chances then the opposition finish their first half chance of the game.

The second half began with Arsenal slowly starting to take over the ball and dominate in their half.

Van Persie curled a freekick just wide in the 55th minute. He has been incredibly unlucky this season, surely one will hit the back to the net soon.

Aaron Ramsey was replaced on the 59th minute for Abou Diaby. It looked like his confidence was shot. After his first few bad passes he couldn’t focus. He looked like he was worried about his next pass. Ramsey is a great talent who will come good after a run of games and development which takes time.

Diaby looked impressive when he came on and gave the team much needed drive. Alex Song started to dominate the midfield alongside the Frenchman and Arsenal’s possession started to increase.

Emmanuel Adebayor came on for Eboue which pushed Bendtner to the right wing. I was a little perplexed as to why the two strikers were playing in opposite roles. Van Persie seemed to be pushed up alongside the center back with Adebayor floating behind him.

Adebayor had a massive chance to win the game in the 75th minute. Van Persie’s cross flicked off the head of a defender and landed at the feet of Adebayor who mis-kicked and the danger was gone.

It was pretty much all Arsenal after that but we didn’t have enough craft in the final third to break them down.

The game ended at 0-0, so both teams get to lock horns at Ashburton Grove.