Gabriel was expected to make his Arsenal debut in a match which would also feature Szczesny along with Gibbs and Chambers. Those were expected changes in defence. There were doubts about Alexis's fitness and Ramsey was out of this game for sure.
This was a Middlesborough team that had won their last 6 games consecutively, were sitting on top of the Championship table and in the last round had beaten Champions Man City at the Etihad. Also key players like Tomlin and Bamford were given a rest last weekend against Blackpool.
Arsenal had rested the likes of Welbeck and Giroud for the game against Leicester and were sure to feature in this match. Arsenal in their previous match had a very unconvincing win against Leicester at the Emirates but were the defending Cup holders this time and that would surely give enough motivation to the team.
Arsenal started out this match with Szczesny in goal as expected. The defence consisted of Gibbs, Chambers, Koscielny and debutant Gabriel. Cazorla started alongside Flamini in the deep lying midfield roles. Alexis and Welbeck on the flanks with Ozil in his favoured no 10 role. Giroud was the lone frontman.
In the absence of Arteta and Mertesacker, Cazorla captained the side. Middlesbrough, meanwhile, came into the game on the back of a fine run of form that had seen them lose just once in 19 games, stretching back to October. But with the Gunners having only been beaten once in their last 40 home games in the FA Cup, something would have to give.
FIRST HALF
Arsenal started the game brilliantly playing exhibition stuff at times with Ozil and Cazorla at the centre of it all. The first chance fell to Cazorla who took a free kick with his left leg and forced Meijas into a decent save. It was a sign of things to come.
After some wonderful football Giroud tried to curl an attempt, Meijas saved but parried the ball into Sanchez's path. Sanchez however could not do much about it and hit the side netting. Arsenal finally scored, with a typical Wenger goal. All 11 players being involved and Giroud finishing with a neat touch assisted by Gibbs.
This was a Middlesborough team that had won their last 6 games consecutively, were sitting on top of the Championship table and in the last round had beaten Champions Man City at the Etihad. Also key players like Tomlin and Bamford were given a rest last weekend against Blackpool.
Arsenal had rested the likes of Welbeck and Giroud for the game against Leicester and were sure to feature in this match. Arsenal in their previous match had a very unconvincing win against Leicester at the Emirates but were the defending Cup holders this time and that would surely give enough motivation to the team.
Arsenal started out this match with Szczesny in goal as expected. The defence consisted of Gibbs, Chambers, Koscielny and debutant Gabriel. Cazorla started alongside Flamini in the deep lying midfield roles. Alexis and Welbeck on the flanks with Ozil in his favoured no 10 role. Giroud was the lone frontman.
In the absence of Arteta and Mertesacker, Cazorla captained the side. Middlesbrough, meanwhile, came into the game on the back of a fine run of form that had seen them lose just once in 19 games, stretching back to October. But with the Gunners having only been beaten once in their last 40 home games in the FA Cup, something would have to give.
FIRST HALF
Arsenal started the game brilliantly playing exhibition stuff at times with Ozil and Cazorla at the centre of it all. The first chance fell to Cazorla who took a free kick with his left leg and forced Meijas into a decent save. It was a sign of things to come.
After some wonderful football Giroud tried to curl an attempt, Meijas saved but parried the ball into Sanchez's path. Sanchez however could not do much about it and hit the side netting. Arsenal finally scored, with a typical Wenger goal. All 11 players being involved and Giroud finishing with a neat touch assisted by Gibbs.
Just 2 minutes later we doubled our lead. Alexis took a quick corner, Boro defence were busy setting themselves up, only player alert to it was Giroud and he finished it well on the volley. Finally Boro had an attempt on goal by winger Adomah that Szczesny saved comfortably.
SECOND HALF
Arsenal started the 2nd half much like the first, dominating possession and even a long range attempt by Flamini of all people! Ozil and Alexis then combined brilliantly with Ozil hitting an attempt hard straight at Meijas.
Cazorla then took a free kick and almost had an assist when Alexis headed on goal only to be denied by an outstanding save by Meijas. Rosicky and Walcott on as subs combined, with Rosicky providing a brillaint through ball for Walcott who had an effort saved.
With time running out Kike had an effort hit the post much to the relieved Scczesny, who had a clean sheet. An impressive home performance and through to the quarter finals.
PLAYER RATINGS
1: Wojiech Szczesny (6.5): Had very little to do. 1 save and that too straight at him.
21: Calum Chambers (7): Got forward well and defended well also.
5: Gabriel (7.5): Made a couple of superb challenges, largely untroubled otherwise.
6: Laurent Koscielny (7.5): Much like Gabriel was hardly needed to work, but when needed was always there.
3: Kieran Gibbs (8.5): Had an outstanding game offensively. Got himself an assist as well. Put food in the manager's thought with a really good display.
20: Mathieu Flamini (7): Was very good offensively. That's a joke obviously. But he did get into good positions and defended what was thrown at him relatively easily.
19: Santi Cazorla (9): Outstanding yet again. Watching him play makes you forget the large amount of money you would pay. Outstanding player.
11: Mesut Ozil (9): Starting to play like a 42.5 million player. Some of the passes especially those to Sanchez was out of this world.
23: Danny Welbeck (7.5): Got into great positions but unfortunately was not on the end of the pass. Yet another energetic performance, but needs to get the goals soon enough.
17: Alexis Sanchez (7.5): A rusty performance. Took more touches than needed on a couple of occasions. Showed great chemistry with Ozil, which was a treat to watch.
12: Olivier Giroud (8.5): 2 goals for the Big Frenchman who just loves the FA Cup! 7 goals and 4 assists in 11 games.
SUBSTITUTES:
7: Tomas Rosicky (7): Gave a fantastic through ball to Theo and provided fresh legs.
14: Theo Walcott (6.5): Missed a good chance, not much else.
38: Chuba Akpom (6.5): Hardly involved. But fought with a Spurs player so yeah deserves something!
HIGHLIGHTS:
(apologies for the commentary lol!)
SECOND HALF
Arsenal started the 2nd half much like the first, dominating possession and even a long range attempt by Flamini of all people! Ozil and Alexis then combined brilliantly with Ozil hitting an attempt hard straight at Meijas.
Cazorla then took a free kick and almost had an assist when Alexis headed on goal only to be denied by an outstanding save by Meijas. Rosicky and Walcott on as subs combined, with Rosicky providing a brillaint through ball for Walcott who had an effort saved.
With time running out Kike had an effort hit the post much to the relieved Scczesny, who had a clean sheet. An impressive home performance and through to the quarter finals.
PLAYER RATINGS
1: Wojiech Szczesny (6.5): Had very little to do. 1 save and that too straight at him.
21: Calum Chambers (7): Got forward well and defended well also.
5: Gabriel (7.5): Made a couple of superb challenges, largely untroubled otherwise.
6: Laurent Koscielny (7.5): Much like Gabriel was hardly needed to work, but when needed was always there.
3: Kieran Gibbs (8.5): Had an outstanding game offensively. Got himself an assist as well. Put food in the manager's thought with a really good display.
20: Mathieu Flamini (7): Was very good offensively. That's a joke obviously. But he did get into good positions and defended what was thrown at him relatively easily.
19: Santi Cazorla (9): Outstanding yet again. Watching him play makes you forget the large amount of money you would pay. Outstanding player.
11: Mesut Ozil (9): Starting to play like a 42.5 million player. Some of the passes especially those to Sanchez was out of this world.
23: Danny Welbeck (7.5): Got into great positions but unfortunately was not on the end of the pass. Yet another energetic performance, but needs to get the goals soon enough.
17: Alexis Sanchez (7.5): A rusty performance. Took more touches than needed on a couple of occasions. Showed great chemistry with Ozil, which was a treat to watch.
12: Olivier Giroud (8.5): 2 goals for the Big Frenchman who just loves the FA Cup! 7 goals and 4 assists in 11 games.
SUBSTITUTES:
7: Tomas Rosicky (7): Gave a fantastic through ball to Theo and provided fresh legs.
14: Theo Walcott (6.5): Missed a good chance, not much else.
38: Chuba Akpom (6.5): Hardly involved. But fought with a Spurs player so yeah deserves something!
HIGHLIGHTS:
(apologies for the commentary lol!)
Extended highlights as always via Arsenalist! Click here!