The Game

For the fourth consecutive game, Arsenal score three goals, enjoy a relatively easy match at the Emirates and move to Wembley for the February 27 Final.

Winning today was a must. I believe a big, big part of our season was linked with today’s game and in a way to the final. Knowing that in a month we will be playing at such an important venue in football to end our five-year trophyless crisis will be an added morale boost for our players who are enjoying their best spell of the season.

As Jack Wilshere said before the game, what was important tonight was the first goal for which we had to wait 60 minutes. And the way Ipswich were fighting at the back, one could see how something special was needed to take the lead and of all people, Nicklas Bendtner produced one of the best goals of the year hence sending a signal to all those who believe he’s a liability in the squad.

Often criticised unfairly, the Dane together with Andrey Arshavin – who produced the assists for the second and third – will hopefully use tonight’s game to build their confidence back and make it difficult for Arsene when the starting line-up has to be selected.

All in all, this one was not as easy as I thought it would be. Paul Jewell’s men may have adopted rugby-like tactics but they produced some fine defending at the back, especially in the first half so yet again I stress the importance of the first goal which Nicklas created and concluded like a top striker, in a way similar to the one he scored in the Champions League against Dinamo Kiev, another very important goal.

As always, whether you agree with my ratings or not, submit your own at Arsenal Interactive and make sure to share them on Twitter and Facebook.

Match Video Highlights

Match video highlights are available in the Videos section of our website. If not there yet, rest assured they will be up in a matter of hours.

Player Ratings

Szczesny: 6 – Yet again not fully convinced when coming out to punch the ball as he was kept quite for the first half but always ready when called into the action in the second.

Djourou: 7,5 – I lost count of the number of times Johan left his position to block Ipswich in their tracks, simply brilliant.

Koscielny: 7 – Lack of concentration in the second half gave Ipswich a half chance but an overall good performance from the Frenchman who took full advantage of Fulop’s bad timing to score a brilliant second.

Sagna: No Vote – Shame. Unlucky to be in the wrong place at the wrong moment Bacary, who will hopefully recover in time for the F.A. Cup game.

Clichy: 7 – What to say? He keeps on producing brilliant performances on the left which of course is great to see.

Wilshere: 8 – A machine in midfield. Always running, always fighting and always dangerous when pushing forward to help the offensive department. And you can’t write about Nicklas’ goal without mentioning Jack’s assist. Phenomenal.

Denilson: 6 – Way too many mistakes in the first half, many of which in dangerous areas of the pitch. Better, much better in the second half as his interception started the move which led to Cesc’s third.

Fabregas: 7 – Cesc also had a very difficult first half in which he struggled to make an impact. But he recovered well and produced a brilliant second half performance in which he kept his cool to seal the game.

Bendtner: 8 – Deserves a high rating considering how special and how important the goal was. We always worry when we enter the 60th minute and the score is still goalless so the timing of his goal was spot on. And of course let’s not forget yet another delicious cross for Robin’s header, in the first half.

Arshavin: 7,5 – Meant business the Russian as he delivered the corner for Laurent’s head and of course the assist for Cesc’s third. You didn’t disappoint my “preview” expectations Andrey but keep it up!

van Persie: 6,5 – Started well Robin, by far our best player in the first part of the game. Worked very hard, unlucky not to score after meeting well with Nicklas’ cross in the first half and of course nice to see him play so many minutes and look fit and sharp until the end.

(Subs)
Eboue: 6,5 – I must say I was today impressed with Emmanuel’s game. He twice stopped Ipswich with that nonchalant techniques of his and did well when surging forward.

Walcott and Nasri: No Vote – Not enough to rate.