Having contested three finals, two semi-finals and a quarter-final in the FA Cup in the last decade, Chelsea and Arsenal have developed quite the rivalry in this competition.
This year the draw pitted the pair against each other in the fifth round, where both sides played their part in producing a game which would have been worthy of a Wembley final.
It is Chelsea who progressed to the quarter-finals after a goal in each half from first Sophie Ingle and then Sam Kerr gave the Blues a 2-0 win and kept their dream of winning a hat-trick of FA Cups alive.
Click Here: South Sydney Rabbitohs jersey
Quite how Arsenal failed to score in the first half was beyond most inside Kingsmeadow. But it is goals which have proved hard to come by for Jonas Eidevall’s side, who are yet to find a way of replacing the goal threat lost with the long-term injuries to both Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema.
The Gunners started full of confidence and had Chelsea on the back foot in the opening stages. Stina Blackstenius could well have had a hat-trick in the first half as Lia Walti pulled the strings in midfield for Arsenal. Chelsea goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger played her part too, producing several excellent saves to deny Frida Maanum and Katie McCabe in the opening period.
Emma Hayes’ defending champions beat their London rivals 2-0 to progress in the FA Cup
Sophie Ingle opened the scoring for Chelsea after an uncharacteristically sluggish start
Sam Kerr sealed the win for the Blues with a delicate chip past the onrushing Arsenal ‘keeper
It was an uncharacteristically sluggish start from Emma Hayes’ side, perhaps owing to the fact the Blues had 15 internationals away during the international break this week. But they found a way, as the top sides always do, and continue their quest in all four competitions.
Lauren James was the architect of the opener. Her driving run drew several Arsenal defenders out of position before she squared the ball to Ingle. The Welsh midfielder found herself with the freedom of Kingsmeadow on the edge of the box and took one touch before stroking home a left-footed effort off the post and into the bottom corner.
The Gunners continued to push until half-time but just ten minutes into the second-half Kerr gave them a mountain to climb.
The Australian was starved of service for large parts of the match, her 100th in a Chelsea shirt, but when an opportunity presents itself the Australian rarely passes it up.
Kerr remained composed after being played through on goal and produced a perfect chip over the onrushing Manuela Zinsberger to score her 82nd goal for the club. An extraordinary return from one of the finest strikers in the women’s game.
Kerr’s fifth goal in 11 games against Arsenal served a reminder to the Gunners of just how much a difference-maker having an out-and-out striker can be. It was a painful lesson for Eidevall’s side.