Arsenal ended non-league Farnborough's unlikely FA Cup run, with a professional display that ensured there would be no shock upset at Highbury.
Farnborough's dreams of a famous victory against the Premiership Champions came crashing back to earth after just 19 minutes when Sol Campbell met van Bronckhorst's corner and headed the ball home to settle any Arsenal nerves.
Four minutes later the Gunners doubled their advantage when Kolo Toure used his pace to break free down the right flank before cutting a low cross back into the path of the unmarked Francis Jeffers, who made no mistake with his side-footed effort.
Then, just before the half-hour mark, things went from bad to worse for the non-league side. As Jeffers charged through on goal, a late lunge from Christian Lee left the referee no choice but to send off the defender in what was surely the biggest game of his career. Jeffers was running rampant by now and only the offside flag prevented him from adding to the Gunners' lead before the break.
After the break, the Gunners picked up where they had left off, and Farnborough were under almost non-stop pressure. Jeffers claimed his second of the afternoon after some good work from van Bronckhorst out on the wing to effectively end the game as a contest.
However, Farnborough just refused to give up and with 20 minutes to go, Rocky Baptiste grabbed a consolation goal after he tucked home a rebound from Arsenal goalkeeper Stuart Taylor. Far from being buoyed by this goal, the non-league side seemed to tire in the closing stages and another inch-perfect cross from van Bronckhorst, this time met by Dennis Bergkamp, restored the Cup holder's three goal lead.
Lauren made it five in the dying stages to see the Gunners safely through to the next round, but it was 10-men Farnborough who took the applause from both the home and away fans at the final whistle, after a plucky and resolute display.
Filed by Rob Wright
