Five-star display for Arsenal

Arsenal thrashed Burnley 5-1 in the 3rd Round of the FA Youth Cup on Friday night. A hat-trick from Henri Lansbury, plus strikes from Mark Randall and Kieran Gibbs set up an enticing 4th Round tie with Liverpool later this month.

 It wasn’t the best start, however, for the Gunners as they went behind in under two minutes after some poor defending. However, Arsenal bounced back and Lansbury drew Arsenal level on 13 minutes after Burnley struggled to clear. Henri was to have a fantastic game and was involved in the second goal as well, laying on the ball for Mark Randall to score. Mark then crashed a header against the bar as Arsenal seized the initiative. Just before the break Kieran Gibbs effectively sealed the tie with a sweet strike from a tight angle. Gibbs played with more freedom tonight and performed much better than he did on Monday for the reserves. Perhaps he saves his best for the big occasions, having performed well against Man.Utd last year and also against Inter in pre-season. Burnley tried their hardest to get back into the game, but their hard work was to no avail. Lansbury and Randall linked up well once more, this time Henri finished from Mark’s pinpoint cross. Lansbury completed the rout, and his hat-trick, towards the end of the game to seal a fine performance from the young Gunners. Merseyside awaits, and considering we were without the likes of Merida, Barazite, Nordtveit and Murphy makes the result much, much sweeter.

 Arsenal: Szczesny, Ogogo, G.Hoyte (Bartley), Dunne, Steer, Rodgers, Randall, Fonte, Watt (Sunu), Gibbs (Thomas), Lansbury. Subs not used: Shea, Cruise