The match was boring, the goal was scrappy, but it was job done as Arsenal claimed a narrow 1-0 win over London rivals West Ham to reach the semi-final of the Carabao Cup.
It took a goal by Danny Welbeck three minutes before half-time to settle a match of few clear-cut chances at the Emirates, but it's the result that counts and whoever we draw in the final four it is going to be tough.
Before Welbeck's winner the main chances had fallen to Arsenal, but were little to shout about. The striker saw a shot deflect behind for a corner before Theo Walcott somehow headed wide when in plenty of space in the box.
Arsenal finally made it count late in the first half as Francis Coquelin floated a great ball over to Mathieu Debuchy, who headed it across the area, and at the second attempt Welbeck scrambled the ball in from close range. Welbeck shot over the crossbar soon after as a rather dire first half ended in Arsenal's favour.
West Ham didn't really threaten any kind of comeback, with the visitors only shot of the game coming via Aaron Cresswell's free-kick that sailed harmlessly wide.
The cushion of a second goal would have made it more comfortable for the Gunners, but neither side really looked at the races. The Gunners failed to make the most of a free-kick in a decent position after Welbeck was fouled by West Ham's on-loan goalkeeper Joe Hart just outside the box.
Arsenal held on for the victory and, although it wasn't a great attacking performance, it was a clean sheet and another positive result ahead of the huge league match against Liverpool.
There was concern for the Gunners before the end though as Olivier Giroud pulled up with a hamstring problem during a run and it didn't look too good, so let's just hope he isn't out for too long. Coquelin also limped off in the closing minute of normal time so let's hope he also makes a speedy recovery.
It may not have been a vintage display, but it's the result that matters most in terms of cup progression and we got that spot on at least.
OPPOSITION VIEW
West Ham fan Adam Brown was unhappy with the efforts of his side following their cup defeat.
"It was a terrible and completely boring game to watch," said Brown. "Arsenal should have won 2-0 easy with that Walcott chance.
"West Ham players out of position and half arsed effort most of the game, not much else to say really."
MY FINAL THOUGHTS
It wasn't the performance I was hoping for, but I'm delighted that we are through to the final four albeit of a competition I don't have a massive opinion of.
Obviously I'll be happy if we reach the final and win it as all silverware feels good, but it just doesn't compare at all with the FA Cup, which I am a lot more passionate about. Silverware would certainly be great for confidence though and we need to take the competition seriously. Not only does this present a chance to win a trophy, but looking at the teams left in the competition, it is a chance to get one over on our rivals and try to prove we can match them.
Manchester United and Chelsea have yet to play their quarter-final ties against Bristol City and Bournemouth respectively and the results of those games would affect who I would want to face in the next round, but we must focus on our own game and not that of others. Manchester City needed a penalty shootout to beat Leicester and are the team I most want to avoid in the semi-final.
We must now switch our attention back to the league and a massive clash against Liverpool. We can't afford to drop many more points and we need to prove that we can beat them and not collapse with a whimper like we did at Anfield earlier in this season. Regardless of how our season has gone so far, we have a huge point to prove in this game and Wenger and all the players must stand up to be counted!
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
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