Vieira a class apart

At the end of the match, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger praised the restraint shown by his players and echoed the sentiments of Jose Mourinho in claiming that Blackburn's physical approach had gone "too far". The Chelsea manager criticised Rovers for being too physical when his team won 1-0 at Ewood Park in February.

"Blackburn decided to stop us from playing, sometimes at any cost," complained Wenger. "It was tough, but we didn't let them disturb us.

"Patrick was particularly targeted in the first half and I was a bit concerned. I wasn't worried about the safety of my players but I feared that one of them would react and get a red card. I'm very proud that with a young team we didn't respond."

Even without Thierry Henry and Sol Campbell, Arsenal were a class above Rovers and the result was never in doubt once Robert Pires scored in the 42nd minute. Confirmation of their superiority came in the final minutes when substitute Robin van Persie scored two exquisite goals.

Questions were raised about the 21-year-old Dutchman's temperament when he was sent off as Arsenal dropped two critical Championship points in a 1-1 draw at Southampton in February. But Wenger said: "No one has ever doubted his talent."

Van Persie, who also scored in the 1-0 win at Blackburn last month, still has much to learn and could do no better than emulate the example of Vieira.

Sadly, as the young Dutchman turned in celebration after his second goal, he was caught in the face by the arm of Andy Todd. Accident? I don't think so. But, as with much of what went on earlier, referee Steve Dunn either didn't see it or interpreted the incident differently to me.

Still, all that is left for Todd and Rovers is a fight against relegation while Van Persie and Arsenal can look forward to a fourth FA Cup Final in five years. Arsenal and United share the record for the number of FA Cup Final appearances. They will both be appearing in the final for the 17th time, though United have won 11 and Arsenal nine.

The 1979 final is remembered most because of its explosive climax. With five minutes left, Arsenal led 2-0. Then, in the space of four minutes, Gordon McQueen and Sammy McIlroy equalised. Extra time was imminent when Alan Sunderland scored from Graham Rix's cross to give Arsenal a dramatic 3-2 win.

But this season the FA Cup is little more than a consolation prize for the two clubs that have dominated the domestic game for a decade. Neither can win the Premiership title, though both have still to meet Championselect Chelsea.

Arsenal, the defending champions, go to Stamford Bridge on Wednesday and as they have dropped just two points in their last seven Premiership games, Mourinho must be thankful that his team have an unassailable 11-point lead.