Arsenal, who beat Liverpool with 10 men just before Christmas, repeated the feat with nine as they gained revenge for last season's FA Cup final defeat - but further tarnished their reputation.

Martin Keown and Dennis Bergkamp were dismissed in a six-minute spell of mayhem at Highbury, with Jamie Carragher also sent off after he hurled a missile thrown in his direction back into the crowd.

In an ugly echo of last season, when three players were dismissed in the league fixture between these clubs, and the recent fixture at Anfield when Giovanni van Bronckhorst saw red, Arsenal still managed to hold on for victory.

That ensured them a place in the FA Cup fifth round, just eight months after suffering heartache in Cardiff when Michael Owen struck twice late on to clinch a memorable part of Liverpool's cup treble.

But at what cost was this vengeance achieved?

Arsenal have now had an incredible 10 players sent off already this season, bringing the total of dismissals during Arsene Wenger's five-and-a-half years in charge to 42.

And the Football Association may also investigate the missile thrown at - and by - Carragher after similar incidents in other recent cup ties which have seen the game's reputation being put just as much at stake as Arsenal's.

At least you could not say that neither side cared about the FA Cup, given the passion - however badly misdirected at times - that was shown.

But while Arsenal still deserved their victory despite Liverpool's late rally, their suspension count mounts by the week and could yet harm their title aspirations.

Indeed, by the time the final whistle blew after three red cards and four yellow had been shown, it seemed an age since Bergkamp had scored what proved to be the game's decisive goal on 28 minutes.

It clearly meant the world to the Dutchman, given that his dream is to start on the winning side in an FA Cup final, and to Thierry Henry, whose misses in last year's game at Cardiff proved so costly.

And it was a world away from the vigorous start which Liverpool had made, with Owen looking set to start off just as he finished last season's final as he burst clear onto a superb flick by Nicolas Anelka.

However, Arsenal keeper Richard Wright, who only regained his place in midweek against Leicester after Stuart Taylor had fractured a finger, was out just as quickly to deny him.

Arsenal lost Robert Pires soon afterwards due to a back strain, replacing him with Ray Parlour, but they had soon settled into their stride.

Henry played a neat one-two with van Bronckhorst and then picked out Bergkamp, who had elusively slipped his marker, to flick a header just inside the far post.

It was a goal straight out of Liverpool's counter-attacking manual and Henry celebrated as if he had shaken off a personal Cardiff demon.

Anelka almost immediately equalised against his former club, with a snapshot striking the bar.

However, Liverpool were defending to deep and they allowed Arsenal to dominate proceedings as referee Mike Riley did his best in allowing play to flow at this stage.

Arsenal's pressure resumed after the break and while Stephane Henchoz escaped punishment for handball at last year's final, this time it was Stephen Wright who was given the benefit of the doubt.

Carragher had to clear off his own line after Jerzy Dudek had allowed Henry's cross to spill out of his grasp and still Liverpool, with Jari Litmanen on for Anelka, were in contention.

Steve Gerrard's drive was deflected wide, Wright saved at second attempt from his namesake's shot as Emile Heskey piled in and then Keown was dismissed to give Liverpool even further belief.

The centre-back had been adjudged to hold back Owen as his England team-mate attempted to race onto a long ball forward and he could have few complaints as his interference allowed keeper Wright to clear.

From the ensuing free-kick, John Arne Riise's thunderbolt was only parried by Wright but Owen failed to capitalise.

If that short spell was controversial enough, however, it only proved the cue for three minutes of complete madness.

First, Bergkamp stupidly stamped his leg at Carragher in frustration after Sami Hyypia went unpunished for an apparent handball and he was deservedly given his marching orders as well.

However, after a missile had almost immediately been thrown towards Carragher from the crowd, the defender even more ridiculously threw it back and he was also off..

With Owen planting a header wide as Liverpool threw everything they had left at the home side, Arsenal's character under pressure was pushed to the limit.

Owen's late strike was saved by Wright, with Sol Campbell only just avoiding nudging the loose ball into his own net.

And they came through the test to raucous celebration.

But at what price to their already questionable disciplinary reputation?

Teams

Arsenal: Wright, Luzhny, Keown, Campbell, Cole, Pires (Parlour 20), Vieira, van Bronckhorst (Grimandi 84), Wiltord (Upson 68), Bergkamp, Henry.

Subs Not Used: Dixon, Stack.

Sent Off: Keown (67), Bergkamp (71).

Booked: Cole.

Goals: Bergkamp 28.

Liverpool: Dudek, Riise, Hyypia, Henchoz, Wright (Murphy 80), Carragher, Hamann, Gerrard, Heskey, Anelka (Litmanen 45), Owen.

Subs Not Used: Berger, Arphexad, McAllister.

Sent Off: Carragher (72).

Booked: Heskey, Wright, Gerrard, Henchoz.

Att: 38,092

Ref: M Riley (Leeds).