Job well done for Wenger

Robin van Persie, named captain today, struck at the start and the end of the second half to secure safe passage into the fourth round raw after Argyle captain Karl Duguid had grabbed a lifeline for the west country side after David Gray's own-goal had given the Gunners a two goal cushion.

Wenger praised his players, saying: "We did the job in a serious way and had we not been focused and completely up for it, we would not have gone through today."

He added: "I give credit to my team for doing the job seriously, and also to Plymouth who had a great game as well.

"I was surprised how well they were organised and how strong they were in every challenge. They did not die physically and were always dangerous on set plays.

"The gap between the Championship and the Premiership has been reduced and looking at the FA Cup results today, you could see that."

Plymouth boss Paul Sturrock felt his team deserved a lot of credit.

He said: "I am very pleased with the team's overall performance, but gutted to have given away those two goals just after half-time when I had warned the players what to expect.

"That really kicked us in the teeth, but we dug deep to get out a goal and if someone had told me that just seven minutes from the end we would be chasing the game against Arsenal, a world-class team, I would have bitten their hand off.

"The fans were fantastic, and I am glad we got a goal for them to celebrate, and hopefully they will go home appreciating the boys gave all they had."