On this day: Tomas Rosicky brace helps sink Liverpool

For one reason or another, Tomas Rosicky has rarely been a regular fixture in the Arsenal starting lineup since his arrival from Borussia Dortmund for an undisclosed fee in the summer of 2006.

That's not to say that there have not been memorable moments along the way, such as the FA Cup tie involving Liverpool and the Gunners at Anfield eight years ago today.

The hosting Merseysiders were the holders and they started this third-round clash with real authority, which saw the likes of Peter Crouch and Xabi Alonso go close to breaking the deadlock.

However, their failure to find the net was then punished within the space of eight first-half minutes by Arsenal's Czech midfielder.

In the 37th minute, Alexander Hleb picked out Rosicky on the edge of the area and without hesitation he lobbed Jerzy Dudek in the home goal.

Rosicky then made it 2-0 on the stroke of the break when he was afforded too much space 20 yards from goal by Jamie Carragher and Steve Finnan and the playmaker made the most of it by firing a low effort into the bottom corner.

After the restart, Rafael Benitez committed more of his Liverpool players forward and with 19 minutes remaining, it was a tactic that was rewarded. Crouch flicked on Jermaine Pennant's cross for Dirk Kuyt, who nodded the ball beyond Manuel Almunia's reach from close range.

It was a goal that set up a grandstand finish, only for Thierry Henry to haunt Liverpool once again in the 84th minute to put the outcome beyond any doubt.

Carragher was dispossessed by the Frenchman on the left touchline and from that moment, a goal looked inevitable. Indeed, Henry delivered, as he cut in to bend his side-footed shot inside Dudek's far post.

Triumphant Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said after the final whistle: "I felt we have shown character and good discipline. We were organised under pressure.

"We had two or three good chances on the break and scored one - then it was all over. They have an unbelievable crowd and the team gave everything. It takes a good team to beat them and we were that team."

Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Benitez added: "It is a bad day for us. It was a difficult game but we were doing well and controlling the match in the first half but conceded two goals.

"It could have been a penalty but for me it is rather the game as a whole. We made mistakes and when you play against a good team they punish you. Now we have to think about the next game and keep going."

Liverpool: Dudek; Finnan, Carragher, Agger, Riise (Aurelio); Pennant, Alonso, Gerrard, Luis Garcia; Kuyt, Crouch

Arsenal: Almunia; Eboue (Hoyte), Toure, Senderos, Clichy; Hleb, Silva, Flamini, Rosicky; Henry (Walcott), Van Persie (Baptista)