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Bendtner treble books United showdown for Arsenal

Nicklas Bendtner helped himself to a treble at Emirates Stadium © PA Photos

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Wednesday night gallery

Arsenal bounced back from their League Cup final heartache and booked an FA Cup quarter-final showdown with Manchester United by beating Leyton Orient 5-0 on Wednesday.

In a hugely unwanted replay for Arsene Wenger, which was set up by Jonathan Tehoue's late equaliser at Brisbane Road, the Gunners showed they are ready to fight for silverware on three fronts with a convincing win on home turf. A Nicklas Bendtner hat-trick, in addition to goals from Marouane Chamakh and Gael Clichy contributed to a stroll in the park for Arsenal against their League One opposition.

Wenger made 10 changes from the team that lost to Birmingham at Wembley, with Tomas Rosicky the sole survivor. Youngster Conor Henderson was the most eye-catching selection, yet Orient were still blown away by Arsenal's weakened side.

Chamakh was first to fire, slotting home from close range after Rosicky had done well to hit the byline. Relief was the main emotion felt around the Emirates, even by the goalscorer himself who had not scored since November.

Bendtner then grabbed a quick-fire double before the break, producing a towering header from Kieran Gibbs' cross for his first. The Dane's second was a trademark strike, cutting in from the left to drive across the keeper from 20 yards.

The night wasn't completely spotless for Arsenal, who lost Rosicky to injury in the second half, but Bendtner continued his goal spree by completing his treble from the spot, before Clichy added a late extra.

Mario Balotelli scored a superb goal for Manchester City © PA Photos

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Manchester City will host Everton's conquerors Reading in the last eight after they saw off Aston Villa 3-0 at the City of Manchester Stadium. Yaya Toure, Mario Balotelli and David Silva were on target for City in an easy victory.

Gerard Houllier fielded an array of youngsters at Eastlands, leaving the likes of Ashley Young on the bench. He paid for the team selection dearly, falling behind early to Toure's close-range volley after the ball had dropped inside the six-yard area from a corner.

Balotelli then doubled the lead midway through the first half, with Toure this time the architect. The Ivorian sent a glorious pass over the top to Balotelli, whose volleyed finish into the top corner was the sign of a man with exceptional talent.

The Italian forward has two sides to his character though, and the less appealing side surfaced in the second half, with Balotelli fortunate to stay on the pitch when he launched an elbow-first challenge directly at the head of Chris Herd. Referee Mark Clattenburg, who let Wayne Rooney off the hook for a similar incident last week, brandished yellow, and within minutes Roberto Mancini hauled Balotelli off the pitch.

It was left to one of City's more classy characters, David Silva, to complete the victory, rifling home from the edge of the box for a comprehensive win on home turf.

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