Smash hit

Burnley were first to everything, more precise and purposeful in the pass and as comfortable on the ball as Arsenal normally are. Only in front of goal were they unlike Arsenal — that is to say more clinical.

Admittedly, Jensen had to be in fine form, repelling inviting chances from Vela, Bendtner and Randall in particular, although some decent scoring opportunities aside, Arsenal offered little. “We had plenty of chances, but when you do not score, you have to ask why,” Wenger said. “You can praise their keeper but also question your own strikers.”

Paterson might have had a hat-trick on another day, but all other aspects of his play were exemplary and the way in which he interchanged with Robbie Blake from the left would have had even Sir Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United manager, purring from his station in the stands.

Burnley had taken the lead after just six minutes. Blake fed Chris Eagles, who drilled the ball into the box. Paul Rodgers could not clear under pressure from Paterson and McDonald steered the ball home from six yards with Lukasz Fabianski stranded. It set the tone for the night, Burnley hitting hard from the flanks and proving a constant menace. Arsenal, remarkably, were beaten at their own game.

Burnley (4-1-4-1): B Jensen — M Duff, C Carlisle, S Caldwell, S Jordan — G Alexander — C Eagles, K McDonald (sub: J Gudjonsson, 61min), C McCann, M Paterson (sub: A Akinbiyi, 74) — R Blake (sub: W Elliott, 77). Substitutes not used: D Penny, A Mahon, J Rodriguez, A MacDonald.

Arsenal (4-4-2): L Fabianski — G Hoyte, P Rodgers (sub: H Lansbury, 46), M Silvestre, K Gibbs — J Wilshere (sub: J Simpson, 63) , M Randall (sub: A Bischoff, 72), A Ramsey, F Mérida — N Bendtner, C Vela. Substitutes not used: V Mannone, F Coquelin, R Steer, E Frimpong. Booked: Randall, Mérida.

Referee: A Marriner.

Telltale signs at Turf Moor

0 Times that Kevin McDonald, who supplied both goals against Arsenal, had scored twice in 120 previous appearances for Burnley and Dundee

1 Goals conceded by Burnley in five Carling Cup rounds this season. Didier Drogba scored for Chelsea

2 Championship teams who have knocked out “big four” clubs in successive cup rounds in 2008. Barnsley eliminated Liverpool and Chelsea in the FA Cup fifth and sixth rounds last term; Burnley have knocked out Chelsea and Arsenal in this season’s Carling Cup

8 Arsenal have enjoyed the longest unbroken stint in the top flight, but only Preston North End have spent more than Burnley’s eight successive seasons in the second tier

25 Years since Burnley’s previous semi-final appearance in either of the two leading cup competitions. They lost to Liverpool in the 1983 League Cup semi-finals