It has been 25 years since the Clarets were last in the semi finals of a major competition.

But the hurt, the anguish and the tears of the last quarter of a century were a million miles away from Turf Moor as Owen Coyle's Clarets saw off Arsenal 2-0.

A goal in both half from Kevin McDonald and an heroic display from keeper Brian Jensen and the rest of those in Claret and Blue was enough to hand Burnley a victory against Arsene Wenger's young Gunners and earn a place in the semi finals of the Carling Cup.

It was a pulsating tie in front of more than 19,000 inside in Turf Moor - and millions more watching on TV screens across the world - and nothing less than Burnley deserved after matching the highly-rated youngsters stride for stride for 90 minutes.

Despite a high-tempo start from the Clarets but it was the visitors who carved out the opening chance on four minutes.

Striker Nicklas Bendtner beat the offside trap but his effort was well saved by Brian Jensen.

Two minutes later and the Clarets were ahead.

McDonald - who scored the opener on Saturday - was on hand to poke home the ball after Lucasz Fabianski could only parry Martin Paterson's effort from close range.

Jensen saved well again from Bendtner after nine minutes as the Gunners pressed for an equaliser.

On 25 minutes, Paterson latched onto a superb ball forward from Graham Alexander and fired straight at Fabianski when Robbie Blake was in a better position inside the 18 yard box.

It could have been 2-0 again to the Clarets on 27 minutes when a superb move saw Chris McCann break through.

His cut back found Blake, who had a shot spilled by the nervous-looking Fabianski, who gathered at the second attempt.

A minute later and Paterson went close again as the balance of play contonued to flow in favour of the Clarets.

However, Jensen kept the Clarets in it again on 37 minutes when the best move of the game saw Ramsey break through and fire a great shot goalwards.

But, like he has done on so many occasions this term, the big Dane beat away the effort to a huge cheer from the Turf Moor faithful.

It was turning into an unbelievable night for 'Beast', who again repelled an Arsenal attack with a great save on 40 minutes.

It was a superb first half in which both sides had chances a plenty, but as referee Andre Mariner brought it to a close it was the Clarets that went in one goal to the good.

Arsenal should have equalised at the start of the second half through Merida, who went on a superb run and jinx his way through the Burnley defence before dragging his shot just wide of Jensen's far post.

The visitors were beginning to buzz and Vela again should have done better with an effort on 49 minutes, which he fired straight at Jensen.

But the Clarets had breathing space on 57 minutes when a quick throw from Eagles found McDonald, who did well to fend off the attentions of the Arsenal defence before firing past a helpless Fabianski to make it 2-0.

That was his last contribution to the game as, two minutes later, an injury forced him to make way for Joey Gudjonsson to a standing ovation from the Turf Moor crowd.

It could have got even better for the Clarets on 65 minutes but Paterson's header wasn't quite strong enough to beat Fabianski after a super cross from Blake.

Gunners substitute Jay Simpson proved a minute later that Arsenal were far from out of the tie by forcing another good save from Jensen.

And Wenger's young charges continued to press forward and gave the Burnley defence a few nervy moments as the crowd tried to urge the Clarets over the finishing line.

A slip from Caldwell let Vela in but his cross was met by Bendtner whose shot hit Jensen, bounced back to him and flew over the Burnley bar.

And the roar that met Andre Marriner's final whistle could have been heard in North London as the Clarets complete a Carling Cup treble over London clubs.

Capital Punishment indeed! Roll on the semis!