Arsenal 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur: Misery for Spurs

Leap of faith: Santi Cazorla celebrates scoring the opening goal for Arsenal against rivals Tottenham in the FA cup third round tie at the Emirates. Photograph: AFP

The Gunners booked their place in the fourth round draw after Santi Cazorla drilled in a fine opening goal on 31 minutes, before Tomas Rosicky doubled the lead on the hour with a well-taken finish after robbing Danny Rose on the halfway line and sprinting clear.

There was, however, a controversial end to what had been a fiercely contested north London derby when Walcott was taken off on a stretcher with a knee injury.

Walcott was treated by medical staff before being taken around behind the Arsenal goal, in front of the Spurs fans – some of whom threw objects, which appeared to include coins and plastic bottles.

Walcott signalled a “2-0” gesture with his hands, before donning an Arsenal scarf as he was carried on around the stadium.

The Football Association will wait until receiving the match report of referee Mark Clattenburg before deciding whether the incident warrants investigation.

Wenger, though, said: “The doctors said to me that the coins had been raining over his [Walcott’s] head and they had to protect him, maybe that is why he did that. Yes [the coins came before the gesture] that is what I have been told.

“After that, what he did is not offensive. You look for every single incident, I can understand that, but it is an action that didn’t offend anybody.

“I have seen the pictures after the game and it does not even look aggressive, he is smiling.”

Last month, Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere was suspended for two matches after television pictures showed him making an obscene gesture towards Manchester City supporters in the 6-3 defeat at Manchester City. Wenger, though, maintained this situation did not merit any disciplinary action.

“My response will be simple, they [FA] have seen the pictures on television. If they judge it offensive, what can I say?” the Arsenal boss added.

Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood, meanwhile, revealed in his post-match press conference he had not witnessed the incidents.

Sherwood said: “Someone just mentioned it to me in there. I didn’t see it.

“Is that what he did? Well, listen I don’t know Theo, I don’t know him as a lad. It could have been a bit of banter, possibly.

“If they [Tottenham fans] did then it’s a problem, isn’t it? If they didn’t then it’s not a problem.”

Wenger felt his side, which included several fringe players, had been good value for their win.

“The game was played at a good pace and I think we controlled quite well both sides of it, the defensive and the offensive,” he said. “Every time, when our game is based on movement and quick, sharp passing, we looked dangerous.”

Arsenal swept into the lead just after the half-hour when German Serge Gnabry collected Bacary Sagna’s pass and drove towards the Spurs penalty area.

As Kyle Walker came across to cover Michael Dawson, the German stabbed the ball out to Cazorla on the overlap down the left and the Spaniard unleashed a fierce drive back into the far corner.

After some positive Spurs possession at the start of the second half, Adebayor failed to connect properly with Lennon’s cross through the Arsenal penalty area – much to the amusement of the home fans.

On the hour, Walcott cut into the right side of the Spurs box and rounded Lloris, but the angle was too tight and his cut-back hit the side-netting. It was 2-0 moments later, though, when Rose dawdled on the halfway line, which allowed Rosicky to nip in and take the ball. The Czech playmaker sprinted clear and on into the penalty area, where he held off Walker to dispatch a lovely chip over the keeper and send Arsenal through.

Should Walcott’s injury prove serious, it could force manager Wenger into the transfer market to bolster the attacking options of the Barclays Premier League leaders, with forward Nicklas Bendtner set for a month on the sidelines because of an ankle problem.

“For Bendtner, it will be for one month, we expected it could have been more, but we had good news,” said Wenger. “With Theo, he has a knee problem. We don’t know if it is a stretched ligament or just a kick. Of course, if we lose Theo for a longer period, it is a problem.”

The Gunners boss added: “I am waiting to see now who knocks at the door, waiting to come in, but honestly, do we find better than the players that we have got?”