Every year the 3rd round of the FA cup elicits essentially the same reaction from journalists and pundits alike; each game between opposition from different leagues is billed as a potential 'cupset', an extremely irritating and over-used term, and when the majority of premiership teams ease past their lower league opposition, the media spotlight falls on poor attendance at games and people start talking about how the cup has lost its appeal. The only surprising thing is that journalists can still feign surprise, after all these years, at the fact that no one really cares about the 'magic of the cup'.

That said, it's not strictly true that everyone has lost interest. From the championship down, fans are still excited about the prospect of the elusive 'cupset', and the financiers appreciate the extra revenue that an extended run in the competition can bring. The sensible money is still on either Chelsea or Arsenal to keep the cup in London for another season (maybe Liverpool. Probably not) but try telling that to Gianfranco 'Gorgon' Zola after West Ham took the lead against Arsenal last weekend. The little Italian was hopping up and down on the touchline as if he'd won the competition, and it was hard to feel any malice towards him for his over-zealous jubilance (he is only little). If he'd just waited till the end of the match to jig around his technical area, then he would have seen a stellar last half hour from Arsenal and the two winning goals that accompanied it. And maybe he wouldn't have felt like dancing anymore.

Match reports will suggest that the result was harsh on a West Ham team who tried their very hardest to unsettle Arsenal, and most of their players did put in a decent shift. Valon Behrami, their Swiss midfielder was the main reason that the gunners mustered only a couple of efforts on goal in the first 45; his skill in reading the game was surpassed only by his tenacity, and for long periods Arsenal were restricted to shooting from range. However, effort is rarely an adequate substitue for ability in football, and Wenger's sides generally have the legs to outlast most other teams. It was almost inevitable that the gulf in class between the two sides would start to tell, and all it took was the introduction of one of this season's most dynamic young midfielders called...er...Abou Diaby...

The Arsenal team was a mixture of youth and experience. The back four consisted of the regulars feat. Silverstre. In midfield, Song was making his last appearance before heading off to Angola, alongside Ramsey and Merida and up front Eduaro was flanked by Vela and Wilshire. The first half saw the Hammers create the bulk of the chances, although Vermaelen didn't look worried for a second (not that he ever does). It was of course Silvestre at fault for West Ham's goal, scored just before the break, but to his credit he did manage to look quite incredulous when the linesman ignored his suggestion that the striker was offside (he wasn't).

Worryingly, it was Wilshire and Merida, ostensibly two of the brightest young talents on any top flight team's subsitutes bench, who looked completely out of sorts. Both consistenly gave away possesion to the home team and neither looked at all assured on the ball. Just after the hour mark Wenger took them both off, bringing on Nasri and, you guessed it, Diaby.

Suddenly the midfield looked much more in control, and a tiring West Ham side had no answers for their slick passing. Rob Green saved well from Diaby but could not prevent Aaron Ramsey from slamming in an effort from close range. Neither side needed a replay, so it was pretty lucky that Eduardo superbly headed home a Vela cross soon after, outjumping ex-gunner Matthew Upson to loop the ball over Green into the net. Vela had an effort cleared off the line, but West Ham were certain to lay siege to the Arsenal goal in the final stages. Except Arsenal's midfield had other ideas, and the Hammers would have done well to even get the ball back, let alone equalize with it.

Wenger was full of praise for his side's opponents, and diplomatic in his assessment of Merida and Wilshire. The latter would certainly benefit from a loan spell somewhere in the top-flight where he can play more regularly, and this seems likely to take place soon. Merida might just have had an off day, which also seems likely, as he has hiterto impressed. Still, a disappointing afternoon from the two youngsters.

A pleasing afternoon from the rest however, as Diaby continues to impress. Ramsey earned man of the match plaudits for another classy performance deputising for Fabregas in the middle, while Fabianski made a couple of good fingertip saves and Vela was involved in both goals.

The fourth round draw threw up a tricky away trip to Stoke, but Arsenal seem less inclined to be bullied out of games this season, and the Potters's home record appears less formidable this year. A very winnable tie by my reckoning.

The question of course remains: has the FA cup truly lost its magic? Answer: not as long as Arsenal are still in it.