Arsenal celebrate Lauren's goal

Richard Jolly reports

Confidence, arrogance or indifference? For the second time in as many rounds, Arsene Wenger omitted three-quarters of his feared attacking line-up for a visit to fellow cup favourites; for the second time, inspired by the dominant Patrick Vieira, Arsenal won by two goals.

It was a magnificent response to suggestions Arsenal were wobbling after successive defeats last week; less than two hours after naming a supposedly weakened side, the swagger had returned, in front of the Sky Sports cameras.

John Terry could have been forgiven for swaggering after his first England call-up, but he was decidedly more subdued after turning a Vieira cross into his own net.

The strength of character the Chelsea captain has revealed in recent months was again in evidence when he headed Blues back into the tie with 11 minutes to go, but Arsenal - down to ten men yet again - had the spirit to respond immediately, Lauren sealing a memorable triumph.

	Terry: Goal at both ends

As a footballer, Terry has been described as the new Tony Adams; as Arsenal captain, Vieira confirmed his right of succession as the supposedly injured Frenchman led his side with distinction. Terry was not the only one to suffer in comparison with Vieira, the returning Emmanuel Petit and his five-man midfield rather overshadowed by Arsenal's Vieira-inspired quartet.

Vieira was instrumental in restricting Chelsea to a solitary clear-cut chance in the first half; he only forsook his defensive duties twice, both brutal breaks producing goals.

Sylvain Wiltord, who has paled into insignificance at times in comparison with the benched Thierry Henry, added the second from Vieira's pass. Wiltord may be without a Premiership goal in four months and a culprit in Arsenal's Champions League exit, but it was a second fine finish in as many rounds of the FA Cup after his goal against Manchester United.

Instead Pascal Cygan assumed the mantle of the villain, marring one of his best Arsenal performances by picking up a second yellow card for tugging back Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink after his own mis-kick.

If Cygan has not often been missed in his absence, the merits of his partnership with the excellent Sol Campbell were all too apparent in a frantic final 20 minutes.

Terry scores his own goal

Stuart Taylor, another stand-in with plenty to prove, produced a string of fine saves from Hasselbaink and substitute Eidur Gudjohnsen to prevent a repeat of Chelsea's Highbury comeback.

It was a far cry from a more disciplined opening from an Arsenal side depleted by Wenger. Take away Henry, Ljungberg and Dennis Bergkamp - though the first two came on as substitutes - and it was scarcely surprising that the unstinting Robert Pires alone provided the creativity.

Nonetheless, aided by the added graft Ray Parlour provided in the midfield and the defensive solidity of Campbell, Arsenal were content to invite Chelsea forward and hit them on the break.

And though Hasselbaink headed over the bar, a low bobbling effort from the purposeful Frank Lampard was the only shot on target from either side when Terry, under pressure from Wiltord, gave the Gunners the lead.

After a second Chelsea effort on goal - a deflected Hasselbaink free kick Taylor tipped over well - a second Arsenal goal, Vieira again driving through the midfield to awesome effect.

Cue a rethink from Ranieri: Mario Stanic, booked even before his cynical obstruction on Pires, was promptly given his marching orders by the Chelsea boss and Kolo Toure, Arsenal's makeshift left back, was finally confronted with a proper winger in Jesper Gronkjaer.

	Wiltord slots it past Cudicini

A second wide man, Boudewijn Zenden, appeared at half time and Chelsea responded to a Ranieri roasting with Petit and Gronkjaer drawing saves from Taylor, Hasselbaink curling his shot just wide and Gudjohnsen, perhaps harshly, having a goal chalked off.

Cygan's sending off forced Toure to add 'centre back' to his ample list of positions, but his initial impact scarcely inspired confidence, clearing into Campbell for the corner which led to Chelsea's goal.

Under pressure, Arsenal again responded in positive fashion, Lauren escaping down the right flank before cutting in to shoot past Carlo Cudicini, the much-lauded Italian who was upstaged by Taylor.

Such attacking intent from a right back may have seemed a gamble; so, too, was selecting two players who were injury doubts and leaving out three fully fit goalscorers.

And Wenger was vindicated in his thesis that Arsenal can win without Henry, Bergkamp and Ljungberg, but Campbell and, particularly, Vieira are irreplaceable.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Patrick Vieira (Arsenal) - Excellent against Everton, awesome at Chelsea. The new Tony Adams?

Chelsea: Cudicini, Melchiot, Terry, Gallas, Le Saux, Stanic (Gronkjaer 34), Lampard, Petit (Gudjohnsen 58), Morris (Zenden 45), Zola, Hasselbaink.
Subs Not Used: de Goey, Desailly.
Booked: Stanic.

Arsenal: Taylor, Lauren, Campbell, Cygan, Toure, Pires (Ljungberg 74), Vieira, Parlour, Edu, Wiltord (Henry 74), Jeffers (van Bronckhorst 67).
Subs Not Used: Bergkamp, Warmuz.
Sent Off: Cygan (66).
Booked: Cygan, Lauren.

Att: 41,456
Ref: D Elleray (Middlesex).