Given that on the previous day big boys Chelsea and Manchester City were out along with small boys Tottenham and season's black horse Southampton, the FA Cup seemed that much easier to defend. But at the same time if those teams could be knocked out, so could we. Hence no complacency please was my feelings before this match. Although Brighton were a team struggling in the Championship they were seemingly a better team since the take over by established manager Chris Hughton. So this match was never going to be as easy as fans would have expected.
Arsene rang the changes to the team that had played in the league the last week. Mesut Ozil started for the first time in 3 months and Theo Walcott also returned to the team. Chambers replaced Bellerin at RB while Gibbs started at LB with Monreal and Koscielny preferred in the centre of defence. In midfield Flamini (oh no!) replaced Coquelin and Ramsey and Ozil played in an advance role. Rosicky and Walcott started either side of Ozil with Giroud given the chance again to lead the line.
Arsene rang the changes to the team that had played in the league the last week. Mesut Ozil started for the first time in 3 months and Theo Walcott also returned to the team. Chambers replaced Bellerin at RB while Gibbs started at LB with Monreal and Koscielny preferred in the centre of defence. In midfield Flamini (oh no!) replaced Coquelin and Ramsey and Ozil played in an advance role. Rosicky and Walcott started either side of Ozil with Giroud given the chance again to lead the line.
The clock had not even reached 2 minutes when Arsenal took the lead. Following some impressive footwork by Chambers to free himself, he provided a cut back for Walcott to control and fire superbly. It was his first goal in more than a year and the happiness in his celebration spoke out about how badly he needed the goal. Given the fact we have loaned out Campbell, Sanogo and Podolski it was a must to ensure Walcott gained confidence. Walcott was running at the Brighton players with so much confidence that you could feel this was a player returning to form. Him, Rosicky, Ozil and Ramsey were constant threats through out the half running riots. The Brighton players you could say were giving too much respect to us. Rosicky then after making a run managed to see a pass through to Ozil that probably nobody else watching the game had an idea of. In turn Ozil, controlled the ball beautifully, put it to his stronger left foot and calmly slotted the ball past the Brighton keeper. Arsenal led 2-0 now and looked ever so comfortable. Brighton towards the end of the half managed to show that they can create something when Baldock missed a chance, hitting over Szczesny's bar.
Arsenal started the 2nd half brightly when Walcott missed a chance. Soon after with 50 minutes gone Brighton pulled a goal back. Rosicky's poor clearance should have been dealt better by Chambers, but the ball fell to O'Grady who managed to tuck in a neat finish. Suddenly the tempo in the Brighton's squad increased and the fans got behind them. 9 minutes later however Arsenal regained their 2 goal advantage when persistent work by Rosicky won him the ball and a beautiful no look pass gave the ball to Giroud who chipped it back to Rosicky who scored a stunning volley. Podolski's and Gibbs's stunning volleys last season were assisted by Giroud and assisting again showed his ability to put the ball perfectly for a teammate and probably showed why some attributes of Giroud are very underrated. As for Rosicky the way he was playing just reminded us, if only he had stayed injury free, if only. Arsenal looked to be coasting, however in the 75th minute Baldock chipped over Szczesny and it was game on again. Arsenal held on resolutely to ensure we moved to the next round as we wait for our opponents.
PLAYER RATINGS
1: Wojiech Szczesny (6): Not really convincing again. Performance will ensure Ospina returns for Villa.
21: Calum Chambers (6.5): Looked decent in attack, but hardly convincing in defence. It is scary watching him defend at times. He should be stopped from playing at RB. Although an assist, was at fault for 1st goal.
6: Laurent Koscielny (6.5): Made some decent interceptions, but kept making silly mistakes.
18: Nacho Monreal (6.5): Shifted to CB, but did OK.
3: Kieran Gibbs (6.5): Again just OK. Nothing great.
20: Mathieu Flamini (5): Watching Coquelin's energy and tackles and then watching Flamini felt sad. Hopefully it's more of Coquelin and less of Flamini and hopefully never the Flaming-Coq axis!
11: Mesut Ozil (7): Was shockingly helping in defence and scored a decent goal as well!
16: Aaron Ramsey (6.5): Typical hard working performance.
7: Tomas Rosicky (9.5): A stunning assist and an even better goal! Always seems to be playing better and better. What. A. Player.
14: Theo Walcott (6.5): Scored a great goal and initially seemed to be causing havoc. However chose to be solo when better options were available.
12: Olivier Giroud (6.5): Very good assist and some good hold up play.
SUBSTITUTES:
17: Alexis Sanchez (6.5): Almost always wants to play. Even in just 20 minutes he could have scored 2. Has a decent free kick in him as well. But lost the ball on a few occasions.
38: Chuba Akpom (6.5): Seemed very similar to Welbeck with pace to burn and decent dribbling but not great decision making. Showed a lot of enthusiasm and hopefully gets a new contract.
34: Francis Coquelin (N/A): Came towards the end and ensured better defensive stability.
1: Wojiech Szczesny (6): Not really convincing again. Performance will ensure Ospina returns for Villa.
21: Calum Chambers (6.5): Looked decent in attack, but hardly convincing in defence. It is scary watching him defend at times. He should be stopped from playing at RB. Although an assist, was at fault for 1st goal.
6: Laurent Koscielny (6.5): Made some decent interceptions, but kept making silly mistakes.
18: Nacho Monreal (6.5): Shifted to CB, but did OK.
3: Kieran Gibbs (6.5): Again just OK. Nothing great.
20: Mathieu Flamini (5): Watching Coquelin's energy and tackles and then watching Flamini felt sad. Hopefully it's more of Coquelin and less of Flamini and hopefully never the Flaming-Coq axis!
11: Mesut Ozil (7): Was shockingly helping in defence and scored a decent goal as well!
16: Aaron Ramsey (6.5): Typical hard working performance.
7: Tomas Rosicky (9.5): A stunning assist and an even better goal! Always seems to be playing better and better. What. A. Player.
14: Theo Walcott (6.5): Scored a great goal and initially seemed to be causing havoc. However chose to be solo when better options were available.
12: Olivier Giroud (6.5): Very good assist and some good hold up play.
SUBSTITUTES:
17: Alexis Sanchez (6.5): Almost always wants to play. Even in just 20 minutes he could have scored 2. Has a decent free kick in him as well. But lost the ball on a few occasions.
38: Chuba Akpom (6.5): Seemed very similar to Welbeck with pace to burn and decent dribbling but not great decision making. Showed a lot of enthusiasm and hopefully gets a new contract.
34: Francis Coquelin (N/A): Came towards the end and ensured better defensive stability.