LONDON, March 23: Arsenal stormed to a convincing 3-0 replay victory over Newcastle United at Highbury Saturday to line up an English FA Cup semifinal against Middlesbrough.

But the celebrations were muted by the sight of their inspirational France midfielder Robert Pires being stretchered off after scoring one goal and making another for the outstanding Dennis Bergkamp inside the opening 10 minutes.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenegr said Pires suffered a knee injury that will keep him out for up to four weeks, after the Frenchman fell awkwardly skipping over a tackle near the Newcastle byline in the 25th minute.

Sol Campbell bagged the third goal of a sunny afternoon with a glancing header, like Pires scoring from a Bergkamp cross, five minutes into the second half.

Fortunately for the hosts, Bergkamp also turned in a sparkling performance Saturday, delivering a string of other chances for his team mates and hitting the woodwork in each half.

Arsenal took the game by the throat in the second minute when Adams started a move with a flighted 40-metre pass and Bergkamp fed a through-ball for Pires to strike first time into the far corner of Shay Given’s net.

Pires returned the favour in the ninth minute, breaking down the left flank before sending in a low cross which Bergkamp steered past Given from close range.

But Pires’s injury took the wind out of Arsenal’s sails and Newcastle, who lost 2-0 to Arsenal in the 1998 FA Cup final, recovered from the two-goal setback to twice come close.

Andrew O’Brien headed just wide in a goalmouth melee, while a chip shot from Alan Shearer flew just wide of the post with Arsenal keeper Richard Wright well beaten.

But Campbell put the outcome beyond doubt with a header from Bergkamp’s free-kick in the 50th minute to ensure Arsenal reached their fourth FA Cup semifinal in the past five seasons.

Semifinals

Middlesbrough v Arsenal (1600) Old Trafford, Manchester Fulham v Chelsea (1900) Villa Park, Birmingham

Ties to be played Sunday, April 14—Reuters