Arsenal are through to the quarter finals of the FA Cup after narrowly beating Liverpool 2-1 at The Emirates. The Gunners took the lead just 16 minutes into the game after Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, after Arsenal had another shaky start the game. Daniel Sturrdige had two glorious oppertunities in the first 10 minutes to put Liverpool ahead, as Liverpool made a start similar to the one they made last weekend in the 5-1 league win at Anfield. However, Arsenal settled them down and were in control for much of the first half after the goal, before Lukas Podolski made it 2-0 just two minutes into the second half.
Liverpool seemed to be down and out, but began to fight their way back into it, and got themselves a goal back thanks to a Steven Gerrard penalty with half and hour left. Luis Suarez went down under a challenge and Gerrard converted comfortably. Liverpool then had another strong penalty appeal turned down and had several chances to get an equaliser, but couldn’t score.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain spoke after the game: “Especially after the result away, we knew we had to turn it around and put in a display. My goal got us off to a good start. We did well it to keep it together and hold on.”
And winning manager Arsene Wenger also had a smile back on his face, he said, “The intensity of the performance pleased me, I am very proud of the way we responded to the huge defeat we suffered [at Anfield] last week. We now look to move forward in all the competitions we are involved in.”
However, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers felt his side deserved a replay, after a strong 2nd half performance,
“I thought the best team lost. I thought the very least we deserved was a reply. We probably shouldd’ve been 2-0 up inside those first 6 minutes, with Daniel [Sturridge] being presented with two fantastic oppertunities. Going forward we were outstanding. I’m disappointed with the goals, the first one in particular was just a long ball into the box. But apart from that, going forward we were a real threat.”
“Now we have cometition to focus on for the rest of the season, and have to really focus on these last 12 games.”
Arsenal now face Everton at home in the quarter final, while Liverpool can now focus on holding a top 4 place in the Premier League.
By Ben Kelly
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