Arsenal's Jack Wilshere (2nd R) is challenged by Swansea
City's Chico Flores and Ashley Richards, watched by City's
Ki Sung-Yueng (L), during their FA Cup third-round replay
match at the Emirates Stadium in London. REUTERS/Suzanne
Plunkett
Jack Wilshere's late strike gave Arsenal a 1-0 FA Cup
third-round replay win over Swansea City and Manchester United
also progressed with a 1-0 victory over West Ham United.
Arsenal wasted a hatful of good chances before sealing the
win over Swansea thanks to midfielder Wilshere's sublime
left-foot strike past Michel Vorm four minutes from time
following relentless pressure from the home side.
Wayne Rooney's first goal in over a month after nine minutes
proved good enough for 11-times winners United to move into
the fourth round but the England striker also missed a late
penalty to make the Premier League leaders sweat in the
closing stages.
Arsenal, 10-times Cup winners, will travel to Championship
(second division) Brighton and Hove Albion in the fourth
round on the weekend of Jan. 26-27 and United host Premier
League rivals Fulham.
Wilshere, after scoring his first goal for Arsenal since
November, said he was delighted with the connection he made
with the ball after Olivier Giroud's superb layoff.
"I don't think I'll ever hit another one like that in my
life. It was a great set up by Olivier. It's lucky I was
there, we couldn't put it in," he told ESPN.
The London club's strike duo of Theo Walcott and Giroud both
had shots blocked on the line as the home team mounted
relentless attacks in a one-sided second half and Walcott's
glancing header hit the post with time running out.
However, the 21-year-old Wilshere spared Arsenal's blushes
with the second goal of his comeback season following 17
months out through injury.
"You can say now that Jack is completely back to his best.
Credit to the people who prepared him," Arsenal manager
Arsene Wenger said.
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