Home Premier League Arsenal Arsenal through to FA Cup Semi-Final after 4-1 victory

Arsenal through to FA Cup Semi-Final after 4-1 victory

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Arsenal are the first team to book their place in this year’s FA Cup Semi-Final after they beat Roberto Martinez’s Everton 4-1 at the Emirates Stadium thanks to goals from Mesut Ozil, Mikel Arteta and a brace from second-half substitute Olivier Giroud.

The FA Cup game was crucial for both teams as it represents the only realistic chance of silverware for either side, but it was the hosts that booked their spot in the final-four thanks to a superb second-half display.

With the game just seven minutes old, under-fire Mesut Ozil, was played through by Santi Cazorla, and the German made no mistake in slotting home past Everton ‘keeper Joel to give the hosts an early lead.

That was followed by continous pressure from Wenger’s men, and powerful shots by duo Yaya Sanogo and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were both turned past the posts by Joel, who was not cutting a positive image in between the sticks.

However, just after the half-hour mark, Everton drew level after a superb break from youngster Ross Barkley.

After running nearly the full length of the pitch, Barkley produced a stunning cross which eventually fell to Romelu Lukaku, who had the simple task of poking home into the empty net.

The second-half was similar to the first, end-to-end but neither team really creating many chances, but it was Barkley who had the chance to give the visitors the lead after Thomas Vermaelen was caught napping on the ball, but the Englishman’s shot fired over the bar from just inside the box.

Then with 68-minutes on the clock, Oxlade-Chamberlain was brought down in the box by Gareth Barry and Mark Clattenburg pointed to the spot.

Former-Toffees captain Mikel Arteta then stepped up and slotted the ball home, but was ordered to re-take the spot-kick due to Olivier Giroud fouling players on the edge of the box.

The Spaniard stepped up once again, and calmy stroked the ball into the top-corner past Joel.

The game was then wrapped up by substitute Giroud in the 83rd and the 85th minute. 

After Bacary Sagna found some space down the line, his pull-back across the box was cooly converted by Giroud, and his second was a classic Arsenal counter-attack.

Cazorla’s ball to Tomas Rosicky, allowed the Czech international to take his time and stroke the ball through to Ozil, which then lead to the German rolling the ball across to Giroud, who then turned home to make it 4-1 to The Gunners.

A flattering score-line at full-time for Arsenal and co., but they won’t mind as they prepare for a Wembley Semi-Final in the FA Cup.

MATCH REACTION:

Mikel Arteta speaking to ITV: “We dominated the game and had the better chances but Everton showed their quality when they broke in the first half so overall we are happy to be at Wembley.

“When I had to re-take the penalty it was jus about keeping my concentration level high. It was a massive moment and I’m just happy I scored.

“It will be amazing if we can win it. We’re in the semi-final, have a good chance and want to do it. I missed the final at Wembley with Everton when I was with them because of a cruciate injury so playing there in the semi-final will be a good moment for me.”

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger: “We had a quality performance from the first to the last minute against a good side.

“The first half was all us and we were unlucky to be 1-1 at half time. The second half, Everton started well and had a good moment in the game where they had the chance with Barkley.

“We scored the second goal and then controlled the game well. We always looked like we could score more.

“It was important for us to win, to put us in a good mind on the psychological front.

“We can be inspired by our focus on the day, by our desire and go to Bayern with the same spirit. The statistics go against us when we go to Bayern, but let’s make sure that the performance goes for us. Then we have a chance.

“We are in the semi final, mathematically I cannot deny that what you say is true but practically it is a bit more difficult than that. let’s see who we have to play in the semi final and do it again.”

Everton manager Roberto Martinez, speaking to ITV: “We wanted to make it an open game and get the opportunity for that second goal and if Ross Barkley hits the target in the good position he was in normally but on this occasion he didn’t. I still think the penalty was soft but these key moments affect the game.

“The key moment was the second goal. I feel it was a situation when Gareth Barry is fighting for the ball. Of course there is contact but is it enough to give a penalty? It’s a difficult decision and possibly one you need to go in your favour. It was always going to change the game and that was the case.”

 

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

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