( CNN ) -- Arsenal recovered from two goals down at halftime to beat Aston Villa 3-2 in their English FA Cup fourth round tie at the Emirates Sunday . Arsenal looked headed out of this year 's competition after goals from Richard Dunne and England striker Darren Bent left them trailing . But Arsene Wenger 's men grabbed three goals in eight second half minutes to spare their blushes in the all-Premier League clash . Two Robin van Persie penalties to take his tally for the season to 25 were separated by a Theo Walcott goal . `` We wanted to stay in the Cup , '' Wenger told ESPN as he explained their recovery . `` Two-nil was very harsh for us at half-time . It was just a question of keeping our structure and then we got an early ( goal to make it ) 2-1 . '' In an earlier clash Sunday , Sunderland salvaged a 1-1 home draw against second flight north-east neighbors Middlesbrough . Barry Robson gave Middlesbrough a deserved first half lead , but it was his mistake that allowed Frazier Campbell to score the equalizer on his return after a long-term injury . The winners of their replay will take on Arsenal in the last 16 , while Liverpool 's reward for knocking bitter rivals Manchester United out of the FA Cup Saturday was a home tie against second-tier Brighton . Tottenham , third in the Premier League , must travel to Stevenage , who play in the third flight , while favorites Chelsea are at home to Birmingham , who won last season 's League Cup but were also relegated .
Robin van Persie scores twice as Arsenal beat Aston Villa 3 - 2 . Arsenal trailed 2 - 0 at halftime in FA Cup fourth round tie . Arsenal and Middlesbrough draw 1 - 1 in north - east derby . Arsenal drawn at home to Brighton in last 16 draw .