Gunners frustrated by Bluebirds
Robin van Persie failed to break the deadlock after carving out three chances
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Sunday, 25, Jan 2009 09:01
Arsenal have been held to a 0-0 draw by Cardiff City in the FA Cup fourth round at Ninian Park.
The Gunners wasted a host of chances in the second-half with Robin van Persie missing three clear-cut chances.
In a repeat of the 1927 FA Cup final, it was the Championship side who made a rampant start with Ross McCormack flashing a header wide while ex-Gunner Jay Bothroyd fired a shot over from 30 yards.
Dave Jones' men continued to miss gilt-edged chances with McCormack volleying over while Paul Parry fired over with the goal at his mercy.
The Gunners came close to punishing the home side's wastefulness with Samir Nasri's shot from close range parried by Peter Enckelman.
Minutes later, fullback Kieran Gibbs lashed a shot a couple of yards wide after a sweeping move while van Persie's effort was blocked by Enkelman.
The second half was equally as entertaining with van Persie floating a shot inches over while Lukasz Fabianki raced off his line to deny Boothroyd.
The Polish keeper then produced a stunning save to tip McCormack's 35-yard driver over.
Arsene Wenger's men should have snatched victory in the closing stages with substitute Emmanuel Adebayor slicing a volley wide from six yards, while van Persie headed over as Cardiff held on to force a replay.