In the last couple of weeks, Arsenal's season has taken on a much rosier hue. The goals have started flowing, fourth place has been wrested back off Aston Villa, safe passage to the Champions League Quarter Final has been achieved and a first trip to the new Wembley has been secured to face Chelsea in the FA Cup Semi Final. After several months of frustrating results, the Gunners have chiselled out some important wins that give them plenty to play for between now and May.

Last Saturday’s victory over Blackburn was crucial. After the previous stuttering performances at Ashburton Grove against Fulham and Sunderland, three points were needed to exert some pressure on the faltering Aston Villa and these were duly attained with some ease. An early own goal from the visitors gave the Gunners the advantage. Andrey Arshavin opened his Arsenal account in the 65th minute cutting down the bye-line and smashing a shot into the roof of the net from a tight angle. Substitute Emmanuel Eboue completed the 4-0 rout with two late strikes – the first a close-range effort and the second from the penalty spot.

The margin of victory could have been wider had Theo Walcott and Nicklas Bendtner had their shooting boots on but the overall performance was convincing and the victory emphatic. All Blackburn had to offer in response was typical of a Sam Allardyce team – cynicism and violence. Several challenges by Blackburn players – most notably El Hadji Diouf’s disgraceful lunge on Manuel Almunia – would have received red cards on other days and with stronger refereeing. Morten Pedersen’s simulated dive told one everything one needed to know about this team. Allardyce made his name by keeping Bolton riding high on meagre resources. The methods he employed to do it through afforded him no credit and did nothing to enhance the sport. Nothing has changed since he took over at Blackburn.

Sam Allardyce’s protegy Phil Brown brought his Hull City team to the Grove on Tuesday for the FA Cup Sixth Round tie. It is clear he has learned a few tricks from his old master. Following a lively start, Hull took the lead in the 12th minute through a deflected Nick Barmby shot. What followed though was straight out of the Allardyce handbook of gamesmanship - endless and cynical time-wasting and constant hectoring of match officials by Assistant Manager Brian Horton.

Hull’s antics could not explain away Arsenal’s poor showing in the first half though. It was as dismal a forty five minutes from the Gunners as have been witnessed at Ashburton Grove this season. The second half began in much the same vein but the introduction of substitutes Nicklas Bendtner and Samir Nasri changed the match entirely. Bendtner provided a focal point for the attack and Nasri’s presence gave the midfield a more attacking configuration.

Two late goals clinched the tie and the big Dane was involved in both. First, with 15 minutes remaining, he tenaciously forced a cross over to Arshavin. The Russian side-footed the ball to Robin Van Persie who slammed home the equaliser. Then, ten minutes later, Nasri lofted a free-kick in to the middle of the penalty area. Bendtner and Djourou rose together and beat the flailing hands of Boaz Myhill to the ball. William Gallas got on the end of the nod-on and headed the winner. The Frenchman was clearly offside but, after the way Hull had approached holding onto their lead, this just made the moment all the sweeter. It was also pleasing to have got some benefit of the doubt from Mike Riley, a referee of staggering ineptitude, for a change.

After the match, a bitter Phil Brown bemoaned the offside winner and then accused Cesc Fabregas of spitting at his assistant manager – an allegation that the Spaniard categorically denies. Whatever might have been said on the pitch after the game and in the tunnel, Brown’s outburst and accusations really do expose him for the small man he is. In his post-match comments he lied about Arsene Wenger not shaking his had after the previous two meetings between the clubs. He repeated the statement during a radio interview the next day too. Video footage and photographs proved he was dishonest with regard to this point, so why should he be believed over the Fabregas allegation?

So, putting Phil Brown’s bleatings aside, Arsenal are now heading to Wembley on the 18th April to face Chelsea in the FA Cup Semi Final. Whatever the arguments for and against using the national stadium as a venue for semi-finals, there is no doubt that it going be a great day out and after a few years without a trophy, to be only one step away from a major final is good reason for some excitement.