Eight days after suffering a humiliating 1-5 rout away to Liverpool at Anfield in the English Premiership, Arsenal this evening exacted vengeance by bundling the Reds out of the FA Cup. The enthralling FA Cup fifth-round tie that left the throng at the Emirates panting for breath ended 2-1 in favour of the homers, who showed character by successfully withstanding a second half attacking blitz by the visitors.

Arsenal took the lead in the 17^th minute through a rampaging Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who fired home from around eight yards.

The first half ended on that note but the Gunners were two goals up as early as two minutes on the restart. This time, it was Podolski who drew the blood with a low finish off a right cross from Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Liverpool’s consolatory goal came off a 59^th minute penalty converted by Stephen Gerrard after referee Howard Webb pointed to the spot as Podolski tackled Luiz Suarez from behind. All efforts by the Reds to equalise were thwarted by the Gunners.

With this victory, Arsenal zoomed into the quarter-finals, where they will face Everton while Manchester City, conquerors of Chelsea yesterday at the Ethihad, take on Wigan Athletic.

•Photo shows Oxlade-Chamberlain (right) celebrating his opening goal . . . this evening at the Emirates.