#4-Arsenal's 8 year wait for a trophy continues

After a thrilling weekend of FA Cup fixtures in which one particular shock raised a few questions, I will look back on the 5th round (and 4th round) ties.

First of all, no one expected Arsenal to crash out of the FA Cup, with the fans at the Emirates looking forward to a comfortable win against Blackburn. It wasn't to be. The Gunners dominated the game but supremacy does not always lead to success. Arsene Wenger decided to start mis-firing Gervinho who is starting to look like an £11 million flop. The Ivorian had a host of chances, missing all of them miserbly. He was brought off on 70 minutes along with Rosicky and Oxlade-Chamberlain as Wenger made a triple substitution. No sooner had Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott and Santi Cazorla had a chance to get into the game, Colin Kazim-Richards scuffed home a rebound after Szczesny saved Martin Olsson's original effort. 23 minutes later, the final whistle blew and Rovers had knocked Arsenal out of the FA Cup. Incredible stuff. The Gunners face Bayern Munich on Tuesday in the Champions League, now the only trophy they can win this season...
Since Arsenal last won a trophy stopwatch
20 things that have happened since Arsenal last won a trophy

As well as shocks, you also get routine victories. Manchester City, Chelsea and Wigan all cruised to 4-0, 4-0 and 4-1 wins respectively over lower league opposition. Sergio Aguero scored twice as City beat Leeds who hoped to create another upset after beating Tottenham in the last round, Chelsea set the stage for an away 5th round tie against Middlesbrough as Frank Lampard stepped 1 goal closer to becoming Chelsea's highest ever goalscorer as the Blues beat Brentford in a 4th round replay and Wigan won away at Huddersfield, meaning they will play an FA Cup quarter-final for only the second time in their history. Arouna Kone scored two in that one.

Weekend round-up

• (FA Cup) Matt Smith, who scored a brace against Liverpool in the last round was yet again Oldham's hero as he popped up to score a 90th minute equaliser against Everton, meaning a reply at Goodison Park is needed on 27th of February.
• (FA Cup) MK Dons, who beat QPR in round 4, lost at home to Barnsley, Chris Dagnall scoring twice to put the Championship side in the quarter-finals of the competition that took them to Wembley 5 years ago.
• (FA Cup) Luton's magical cup run finally came to an end as they lost 3-0 at home to Millwall, a score-line which was a bit harsh on the non-league side. James Henry, Rob Hulse and Dany N'Guessan scored the goals for the jubilant lions.
• (Premier League) Liverpool thrashed Swansea 5-0 at Anfield with 5 different scorers to end a 5 match winless run. The Welsh side who, overall this season have been great to watch, allowed the Reds 33 shots, 18 on target and Swans boss Michael Laudrup described it as 'a nightmare'.

FA Cup Quarter-Final Draw

• If Manchester United beat Reading tonight and Chelsea beat Middlesbrough a week on Wednesday, we'll see a feisty quarter-final between the two at Old Trafford for a place at Wembley.
• Speaking of Wembley, either Millwall or Blackburn will make a rare appearance there, the two Championship sides were drawn to face each other at The Den.
• Barnsley will be hoping to recreate their heroics of 5 years ago when they beat Liverpool and Chelsea to reach the semi-finals when they meet Manchester City at the Etihad in the tie that has the most shock potential.
• Wigan's first appearance at this stage in 26 years sees them travel to either Oldham or Everton, depending on who comes out on top in the replay. It will be a tough game either way.

Goal of the Weekend
James McArthur vs Huddersfield: The Scotsman received Callum McManaman's pass in the inside left channel, played a one-two with Gomez and arrowed a bullet shot into the top corner.

Lower League Headlines

• The Championship: Paul Ince has been confirmed as Blackpool's third permenant manager of the season after Ian Holloway and Michael Appleton. He will link up with son Tom, who has scored 17 goals in 33 appearances this season.
• League 1: Another managerial appointment. After sacking Graham Westley last week, Preston have appointed former Blackpool and Leeds manager Simon Grayson. He has been without a job since being sacked by Huddersfield last month.
• Burton thrashed Fleetwood 4-0, Jacques Maghoma scored twice as the Brewers leapfrogged Cheltenham into the automatic promotion places. The Robins drew 1-1 with relegation strugglers Aldershot.

It's the Capital One Cup final this Sunday so I'll be back on Thursday to preview that game as well as the weekend's Premier League fixtures including Manchester City vs Chelsea. I will also review the four Champions League games played on Tuesday and Wednesday!

Olly Allen
Follow me on twitter: @OllyAllen1998