Arsenal swept past Cardiff City in the FA Cup fourth round with a brace of Eduardo Da Silva goals, who produced a stunning comeback from his leg-break 12 months ago. The Gunners were in total domination of the match throughout and came close to scoring three times in the opening eight minutes - a stark difference to their earlier meeting, when Arsenal was comfortably held to a draw in Cardiff.

Da Silva's broken leg against Birmingham City almost a year ago was seen by many as a career-threatening injury, yet the striker had managed to return to almost full fitness and displayed some of the football skills that put Arsenal at the top of the table and challenging for domestic honours last season.

Arsenal will now be paired against Burnley at the Emirates in the fifth round, with the winner of that match pitted against either Sheffield United or Hull City in the quarter-finals.

Three weeks earlier, Cardiff City produced a tremendous match to stall Premiership big-guns Arsenal to a goalless draw at Ninian Park. Moreover, Cardiff went to the Emirates on the back of 13 league and cup matches without defeat, but from the onset of the match, the visitors were completely outplayed by their hosts.

Cardiff seemed to lack the passion, composure, skill and belief all around the park.

The first goal was scored by hero of the day Eduardo, who poked the ball through to Carlos Vela, only to have the favour returned for an easy header. Just a few minutes after that, an in-swinging corner from Samir Nasri found Nicklas Bendtner rising at the front post, and the big Dane sailed his header inside the far post past the keeper.

Eduardo then converted a penalty kick on the 61st minute, and Robin van Piersie wrapped up the demolition of the Welsh side with the fourth just one minute from time.

After the match, Eduardo told  the Arsenal website: "This was the best night of my life because it proved I could play again at the very highest level. It was a real special moment when I scored the first goal — and, yes, I had tears in my eyes because I felt very emotional."

Meanwhile Cardiff manager Dave Jones was left struggling for positives from his side, who made it all the way to final of the competition last season only to lose 1-0 to Portsmouth at Wembley. From his club's website, he was quoted as saying: "Our goalkeeper Tom Heaton kept it from being a cricket score."