Arsenal cruised into the FA Cup semi-finals as a late brace from substitute Olivier Giroud sealed a 4-1 win over Everton at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
Arsene Wenger’s side remain on course to finally end their nine-year trophy drought thanks to an enterprising quarter-final display in the spring sunshine in north London.
With Arsenal’s Champions League hopes hanging by a slender thread — they travel to Bayern Munich on Tuesday trailing 2-0 from the first leg — and their Premier League title charge fading, the FA Cup could represent their best chance for silverware this season.
The Gunners took the lead in the seventh minute as Santi Cazorla
capitalised on a slip by James McCarthy and laid in Mesut Oezil, who
slid a calm finish past Joel Robles for his first goal in three months.
“Of course it was important for him,” said Arsenal manager Arsene
Wenger. “You want him sometimes to take his chances because he looks
always for a good pass.
“Physically he seemed regenerated. There was more power in his lungs.
“He did the dirty work, in first half especially tracking back to
stop a counter attack.”
Everton boss Roberto Martinez admitted he didn’t like losing in what he described as “the best cup competition in the world”.
“This leaves us with more focus on what’s in front of us. There are
33 points to fight for in the league and it’s important we finish as
strongly as we can.”
The other three FA Cup quarter-finals, including Manchester City against
holders Wigan Athletic, take place on Sunday.
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