Arsenal finished the stronger and in added time before the break, Henry’s delightful cross was caught by Lee Dixon, in front of goal, with a vicious scissors kick. To his chagrin, the effort was well saved by Martyn.The injured Keane was replaced by Jason Wilcox just before the interval. Afterwards, the former Blackburn man assumed Kewell’s position on the left flank, leaving the Australian to partner Mark Viduka. The switch failed to ignite Leeds and it was entirely expected when 11 minutes into the second half Vieira exchanged passes with Wiltord, who drove the ball with precision across Martyn.Leeds were not quite done, though.

Almost immediately, a free-kick from Ian Harte eluded a stranded Seaman. But it was Arsenal who looked destined to increase their lead only for Martyn to thwart Henry Then Machiavelli intervened again. Viduka was apparently elbowed by Keown off the ball, unseen by the referee. Within seconds, the Australian striker was cautioned, and he was followed by Arsenal’s Ashley Cole for a late challenge on Kewell. From the resultant free-kick, Harte’s ball into the area eluded everyone and rebounded off the far post. Tony Adams became the seventh man booked when his boot made contact with the stomach of Bowyer.Arsenal move on to Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium, with the minor distraction of a fixture at Newcastle on Tuesday night, just as Leeds, out in Spain, will be kicking off in Valencia in not just their own cup final, but the biggest game involving Leeds in 26 years.

They can perhaps be excused an indifferent showing yesterday.Arsenal 2 Leeds United 1Ljungberg 17, Wiltord 56 Harte 58Half-time: 1-0 Attendance: 38,142. This was the result and the outcome that the Sky Blues’ tearful fans had dreaded even before they made their fateful 18-mile journey up the A45 yesterday. This was the result and the outcome that the Sky Blues’ tearful fans had dreaded even before they made their fateful 18-mile journey up the A45 yesterday. To be relegated, as feared and, perhaps, expected, after 34 years of senior service was one thing but to go down after defeat by their most bitterly detested local rivals, who taunted them mercilessly, was something else, particularly after failing to defend a two-goal interval advantage. It may have been a magnificent match and a great sporting spectacle for neutrals, but for the visitors it was agony and torture.