Arsenal booked their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup courtesy of a 3-2 win over Brighton & Hove Albion at The Amex Stadium this afternoon.
The visitors took the lead inside two minutes as Theo Walcott scored his first goal for more than a year, while Mesut Ozil doubled the advantage midway through the first half.
Chris O'Grady pulled one back for Brighton five minutes after the restart, only for Tomas Rosicky to restore his side's two-goal lead with a fine volley shortly before the hour mark.
Sam Baldock set up a grandstand finish when he reduced the deficit with 15 minutes remaining, but it was Arsenal who came closest to scoring the game's sixth goal when Alexis Sanchez struck the crossbar.
Read how a thoroughly entertaining cup tie unfolded courtesy of Sports Mole's live minute-by-minute coverage below.
Good afternoon! Well, what a weekend of FA Cup action it has been already! Manchester City, Chelsea, Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur all crashed out yesterday, while Manchester United and Liverpool both face replays. Arsenal will be looking to avoid a similar upset here as they travel to take on Brighton & Hove Albion in the last of Sunday's fourth-round fixtures. Let's start with a look at the home side...
The Seagulls certainly come into this match as underdogs given their placing in the league ladder, but they will have confidence of pulling off a shock, not least because of the results yesterday. It would be interesting to know whether Chris Hughton has highlighted the likes of Bradford and Middlesbrough upsetting the odds to his side, or whether he has simply told them to focus on their own game. Even looking past today, should they manage to knock out the Gunners then the odds of them reaching the final would shorten dramatically.
Of course, they can't afford to think of Wembley just yet, and Hughton will know that today should provide by far the toughest test of his short tenure so far. His side certainly stand more of a chance now than they did a month or so ago, however, with Hughton bringing about an upturn in fortunes following the surprisingly unsuccessful Sami Hyypia era. Victory today would not just put them in the fifth round, it could also act as the catalyst to kick even further on in the Championship.
It is the league that will be Hughton's priority, but the immediate danger of relegation has been quelled somewhat with their improvement in recent weeks. The Seagulls have won four of their last five games in all competitions and three of their four under Hughton, with their solitary defeat coming at the hands of Brentford. It is now just one defeat in seven for Brighton, which has seen them climb out of and away from the bottom three.
Indeed, they now sit 19th in the Championship table and have a relatively comfortable six-point separating them from the relegation zone. They still need to improve dramatically if they are to get anywhere near their pre-season prediction of playoff challengers, but if they can keep up their current form then they should at least be able to challenge for a top-half finish come May. At times during the first half of the season, such lofty ambitions seemed a long way from reality.
It has been a tough few days in terms of fixtures for Brighton, but they got off to a flying start on Wednesday with a 3-2 victory over Ipswich Town, who are right in the mix for automatic promotion this season. The Tractor Boys now sit third in the table, so it was a surprise victory for the Seagulls, with Teixeira getting a brace to add to Baldock's strike. Ipswich pushed for an equaliser but couldn't find it as Brighton held out.
That was their first home victory in six outings, and they have not been great at The Amex all season. Including the Ipswich match, they won just three league games in front of their own fans and had picked up only two points from the previous 15 available before Wednesday. Hughton will be hoping that he can vastly improve that record, and a victory over a team of Arsenal's stature would certainly be a statement of intent for the Championship outfit.
They have, however, only lost one of their last 12 home games in the FA Cup, a run that stretches back to 2008, when they were beaten 2-1 by Mansfield Town. Incidentally, the solitary loss since then came at the hands of Arsenal at this same stage of the 2012-13 season, with the Gunners running out 3-2 victors. Brighton beat Brentford 2-0 at Griffin Park to reach this stage of the competition, although they were forced to wait til late as goals in the 88th and 93rd minutes handed them a dramatic victory.
Arsenal, meanwhile, overcame Hull City in the last round in what was a repeat of the 2013-14 final. The Gunners are aiming to become the first side since Chelsea in 2010 to retain the trophy, are yesterday's results would have certainly given them confidence that they can do that. The field is wide open now and Arsenal are right amongst the favourites, with perhaps their two most likely challengers - Manchester United and Liverpool - requiring replays against lower-league opposition.
Just as Hughton may have used those results in his team talk, Wenger will have surely made his players aware of the opportunity they have. Having gone nine years without a trophy, two in two years would be a good response from the Gunners even if the Premier League title remains beyond them. However, Wenger is also likely to have used yesterday's results as a severe warning not to take anything for granted and for his side to do their job properly. If Bradford can come back from two goals down against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge then Brighton beating Arsenal is certainly not beyond the realms of possibility.
Wenger may feel that he is juggling priorities a little right now. He once again finds the FA Cup as by far his most likely piece of silverware this season, yet his side are less comfortable in the top-four race than they have been at times in previous season. The Gunners sit fifth in the table currently and, while they are just one point off the Champions League places, the likes of Southampton, Manchester United, Tottenham and Liverpool are very much in the mix as well.
There is cause for optimism amongst Arsenal fans, though, not least due to their victory over champions Manchester City last time out. Arsenal are undoubtedly one of the top teams in the country, but not many people gave them a chance against City due largely to their woeful away record against their fellow big teams in recent seasons. However, they pulled off a shock 2-0 victory at the Etihad which could prove to be even more valuable to their mindset than it is to their chances of a top-four finish.
That was Arsenal's fifth win in their last six matches in all competitions, while they have now kept three clean sheets in a row too. Their only defeat in that time - and indeed in their last nine outings - was a 2-0 loss to Southampton that could prove damaging, but that was mainly down to individual errors, which Wenger will hope don;t crop up too many more times before the end of the season. They have players coming back from injury too, so there is every reason to believe that Arsenal will go on to have a better second half to the campaign.
The win over Manchester City also made it just one defeat in their last six away games in all competitions, but in general they have been a little hit-and-miss on the road. They have only won seven of their 16 away outings which, while not being terrible form, is not quite good enough for a team that wants to be up there challenging for honours. Brighton themselves have been poor at home this season, but they will look to take advantage of Arsenal's own indifferent form on the road.
Having lifted the trophy last season, Arsenal have now won seven FA Cup games in a row and nine of their last 10, since defeat to Blackburn in the fifth round two years ago. However, carrying on from the previous point about away form, this will actually be Arsenal's first FA Cup match outside London since January 2013, and that too came against Brighton. They have played eight games since then, so this is a rare cup trip of the capital for the Gunners.
TEAM NEWS: The teams are in for both sides, and the headline news for Arsenal is that Wojciech Szczesny returns in goal, replacing Ospina. Wenger has made seven changes overall, including a first start in more than three months for Mesut Ozil. Hughton, meanwhile, has made two changes of his own as Dunk returns from suspension and Forster-Caskey is back from injury. Full team news for both sides on the way...
BRIGHTON STARTING XI: Stockdale; Bruno, Greer, Dunk, Bennett; Holla, Ince; Calderon, Forster-Caskey, Baldock; O'Grady
BRIGHTON SUBS: Walton, Hughes, Rea, Chicksen, Colunga, March, Mackail-Smith
ARSENAL STARTING XI: Szczesny; Chambers, Koscielny, Monreal, Gibbs; Flamini, Walcott, Ramsey, Ozil, Rosicky; Giroud
ARSENAL SUBS: Martinez, Mertesacker, Bellerin, Coquelin, Cazorla, Alexis, Akpom
What can we make of those two teams, then? Well, Hughton has opted to name a strong side as he looks to become the latest team to pull off an upset on this incredible FA Cup weekend. The two changes were expected, with Dunk returning to central defence having been banned for the visit of Ipswich on Wednesday. He joins Greer in the middle, with Hughes the man to drop to the bench.
Forster-Caskey is the other new face in the team having overcome a hip injury, although the decision to replace Teixeira is an interesting one. The Portuguese attacker proved to be the match-winner on Wednesday with two goals in the first half, but he is left out of the squad entirely this afternoon. However, Baldock, who scored the other goal in the midweek victory, does keep his place.
O'Grady retains his place up front in the side having netted against Brentford in the last round, but that remains his only goal for Brighton since returning to the club from his loan spell at Sheffield United. He has certainly not been a prolific scorer down the years but will need to take any chances that fall his way against a side like Arsenal this afternoon.
The man looking to keep him at bay will be Szczesny, who comes into the side for the first time since his mistakes condemned Arsenal to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Southampton. Ospina drops out of the squad entirely, and just as the replacement keeper did during the third-round victory over Hull City, Szczesny will be looking to use the FA Cup as a means of staking a claim for a place back in the first team this afternoon.
There are a number of changes at the back, with Mertesacker and Bellerin dropping out to be replaced by Chambers and Gibbs. It is expected that Monreal will move into a central role alongside Koscielny, with Chambers on the right and Gibbs on the left. It is an interesting decision to leave out Mertesacker but, with Champions League football getting back underway next month, Wenger has clearly used this opportunity as a rare chance to rest the German.
In midfield there are rare starts for Walcott, Rosicky and Ozil, while Flamini also comes back into the side having been second choice to Coquelin in recent weeks. It is Ozil's first start since injury, while Walcott is still nursing his own way back to full fitness following a lengthy spell on the sidelines. The most notable absentee is Sanchez, who has to settle for a place on the bench despite such a superb showing against Hull in the last round.
As expected, Giroud leads the line once again following his goal against Manchester City last time out, and the Frenchman has a fine record in the FA Cup recently. He has scored in five of his last seven outings in the competition and, with Sanchez not involved from the start, is likely to be Arsenal's biggest goal threat again. With Walcott on the wing, he should have a number of aerial deliveries to attack in the middle, so Brighton will need to be particularly wary of that.
PREDICTION: We have 10 minutes until kickoff at The Amex, which means that it is time for a prediction! A number of Premier League clubs have already fallen this weekend and, with Brighton's recent improvement, they will fancy their chances of adding to the list of giant-killings. Arsenal are in decent form themselves, though, and should have enough about them to progress if they play anywhere near their best. I'm going to go for a 2-1 away victory, but I wouldn't be too surprised to see this one go to a replay.
These two sides have met four times in the FA Cup before, and the omens are not good for Brighton. Arsenal have won all four of those meetings, the most recent of which was just two years ago. Walcott and Giroud (2), both of whom are in the Arsenal side today, were both on the scoresheet in a 3-2 victory in the fourth round, while Ashley Barnes and Leonardo Ulloa, both now Premier League players, scored in reply for the Seagulls.
It will come as no surprise that Arsenal have the greater FA Cup pedigree of these two teams having lifted the trophy a record-equalling 11 times, the latest of which was, of course, last season. Brighton, by contrast, have reached the final just once, where they were beaten by Manchester United following a replay in 1983. The Seagulls have, however, reached the fifth round in three of the last four seasons.
While Arsenal are bidding for a record 12th title this season, Arsene Wenger is also closing in on a personal record in the competition. The success last term was his fifth FA Cup as a manager, leaving him just one short of the all-time record held by George Ramsey, who lifted the trophy six times during his spell in charge of Aston Villa.
There have been many shocks in the fourth round so far, but West Ham have safely progressed today courtesy of victory over Bristol City. Can Brighton resume the giant-killing here? We're just minutes away from kickoff!
KICKOFF: Arsenal get us underway as they look to avoid the fate that befell a number of their Premier League rivals yesterday.
GOAL! Brighton 0-1 Arsenal (Theo Walcott)
Oh my word, what a start this is for Arsenal! Chambers does really well down the right, coasting past his man down the wing before cutting the ball back for Walcott. The winger is in too much space and has time to control the ball and fire an effort across the keeper into the bottom corner. That is his first goal since New Year's Day 2014.
How can Brighton respond to that, then? It is a nightmare start for the hosts, who were really poor defensively throughout that Arsenal move. As for Walcott, he has missed a number of clear chances since making his return from injury, but that was a very sharp finish.
SHOT! Arsenal come forward again looking for a second. Ramsey dummies the ball well before collecting the return pass and advancing towards the edge of the box. He goes for goal from around 25 yards, but his effort is deflected wide for a corner that Brighton just about deal with.
This has been a really tough start for Brighton. They have been on the back foot from the very first whistle and simply can't get out of their own half right now. They will need to weather this early storm otherwise they could find themselves out of this match before half time.
A hint of an opening for Giroud as he manages to get a foot in before Greer, collecting a Gibbs pass. He looks to have a shooting opportunity from a very dangerous position, but Dunk is there to close it down.
A little better from the hosts as they keep hold of the ball for a decent spell of time, but it is all coming in their own half right now. That will be helpful for them settling into the match, but they haven't looked like causing Arsenal any problems so far.
Arsenal have slowed their tempo down a little in the last couple of minutes following such a bright start, but they still seem to have an element of control over this game. That early goal is exactly what they need, particularly with the results yesterday.
After such a long time out with injury, that goal must have been a great feeling for Theo Walcott. Here he is celebrating with his teammates:
© Getty Images
Hughton has already opted to make a slight tactical change to his side, with O'Grady slotting in on the left and Baldock switching up front. Baldock was the man beating far too easily by Chambers for the goal, which may have had an impact on the decision.
UPDATE: There is one other FA Cup match going on right now that kicked off at 3pm, and Aston Villa have taken the lead against Championship high-flyers Bournemouth courtesy of a first goal for new man Carles Gil.
Good chance for Walcott as he steals possession from Bennett in a really good position. However, the winger never really looks like he knows what to do with the ball, and eventually his attempted back-heel only falls to a blue and white shirt. Poor from Walcott there.
Again Walcott collects the ball and runs at the defence, and this time he does choose to pass it. However, Ozil and Giroud slow the attack down and give Brighton the chance to get back as the opening fizzles out.
GOAL! Brighton 0-2 Arsenal (Mesut Ozil)
Arsenal double their lead, and it is Ozil who has the goal on his return to the starting lineup. Rosicky is the architect, threading a beauty of a reverse pass through to Ozil, who takes it in his stride before finding the bottom corner. Once again, Brighton may have done better defensively, but it was clinical stuff from the visitors.
A tiny hint of a chance for the hosts as the ball arrives to the edge of the box, where Baldock meets it with an ambitious header. His effort is very unlikely to beat Szczesny even if he does steer it on target, but as it happens it is a long way high and wide.
Is there any way back for Brighton here? Well, they haven't shown any signs of testing Szczesny so far and Arsenal look to be in the mood for more goals. Right now, it must be said that it is hard to see Brighton recovering, but then I would have said the same about Bradford when they were two goals down against Chelsea yesterday. This is the FA Cup, after all...
CHANCE! Huge chance for Brighton to get themselves back into this game. Koscielny does really well to cut out an initial cross into the box but then can't it clear before being tackled. The ball falls to Baldock, who is in space, but he blasts an effort high and wide when looking for the top corner.
UPDATE: Villa are very much on course for the fifth round having doubled their lead against Bournemouth through Andreas Weimann.
You feel that Brighton could really do with a goal back before the break here. That Baldock chance is their only real opening of the match so far, and they need to create a lot more in the final third if they are to get back into this one.
SHOT! Forster-Caskey tries his luck from distance, but fires an effort comfortably over the crossbar. It was worth a go, though, and came about courtesy of some improved play from the hosts.
Poor from Ince. Brighton knock the ball about quite nicely as they move up the field but, with a simple square pass on, Ince goes for the Hollywood ball and loses possession.
Brighton have five minutes left to get a goal back before half time here, but Arsenal are looking fairly comfortable. They aren't quite in complete control as they were in the opening exchanges, but you feel that the visitors could still go up a few gears here.
Brighton have a free kick in a decent position that comes to nothing despite Szczesny finding himself in no-man's land momentarily, and Arsenal can break quickly. Walcott leads the charge but, not for the first time today, looks short of ideas on the ball and ends up running straight into a defender.
Good defending from Dunk as he gets himself in the way of a thunderous Ramsey effort. The ball was teed up for the Welshman, who put plenty behind his shot from the edge of the box, but Dunk bravely stuck his head in the way.
The fourth official indicates a minimum of one minute added time at the end of this first half.
HALF TIME: Brighton & Hove Albion 0-2 Arsenal
Michael Oliver brings an end to the first half, and Arsenal go into the break in complete control over Brighton. The visitors got off to a perfect start and have not looked back, limiting Brighton to very few chances and in general keeping their hosts at arm's length. The Seagulls need to improve after the break if they are to pull off a memorable comeback in the next 45 minutes.
The opening goal took less than two minutes to come about, and it was a special moment for Theo Walcott, who got his first goal for more than a year. It was far too easy for the Gunners as Chambers coasting past his man on the right wing before cutting the ball back in for Walcott. The winger was given space to take a touch inside the box before turning and firing a clinical finish into the bottom corner.
The second goal arrived a little more than 20 minutes later, and it was another player who has missed time through injury recently that got the goal. Ozil, on his first start for more than three months, collected a beautiful pass from Rosicky before placing an effort into the bottom corner. It was all about the pass from Rosicky, but Ozil also showed a lack of rustiness to finish.
Brighton's only real chance of the match fell to Baldock, and the striker really should have done better with it. Koscielny initially cut out a dangerous cross but failed to clear the danger before being tackled, with the ball falling at the feet of Baldock. However, despite having time, he blazed an effort high and wide of the target.
Aside from their goals, Arsenal haven't had many clear-cut openings to add to their lead, but in general play they have enjoyed a good measure of control over Brighton. The hosts have been nowhere near their best, but that has partly been down to Arsenal's good pressing off the ball and decent passing when they are in possession. The early goal also helped to silence the crowd straight away, something that was even more important to do considering the results yesterday.
As for Brighton, they simply need to show more ambition when going forward. All too often they have opted for the safe pass, either going sideways or backwards when there is the opportunity to go forward. The movement ahead of the ball needs to be better to enable that too, as so far it has been far too comfortable for the Gunners. The one time they showed some positivity in the final third led to that chance for Baldock.
KICKOFF: Brighton get us back underway hoping to improve on that tepid first-half display and get themselves back into this match.
Almost an early chance for Arsenal as Giroud burst through the middle and is nearly found by Rosicky's pass. However, it falls just short and is nodded back to Stockdale.
Almost an early chance for Arsenal as Giroud burst through the middle and is nearly found by Rosicky's pass. However, it falls just short and is nodded back to Stockdale.
CHANCE! Lovely football from Arsenal as they knock the ball about beautifully on their way up the field. The final pass sees the ball lifted over for Walcott, who looks to be in, but he just can't get his shot away.
GOAL! Brighton 1-2 Arsenal (Chris O'Grady)
Now then! We could have a cup tie on our hands! Moments after Arsenal squander a good chance at one end, Brighton pull a goal back! The Gunners are unable to clear the danger despite having a couple of chances too, and eventually the ball falls to O'Grady. The striker turns Flamini before picking out the bottom corner with a convincing finish. Game on!
That goal has really galvanised the fans and the players, and suddenly the whole complexion of this match has changes. Calderon wins a free kick from Chambers in a really good position, and Brighton have a chance to threaten for a second here...
It is Holla who delivers it, but his cross is dealt with and Arsenal scramble out to prevent a shot from the edge of the box. The visitors do not look anywhere near as comfortable now. Amazing what a goal can do!
A testing cross arrives towards the Brighton back post which forces action from Bruno despite no yellow shirts being around him. He deals with it well, chesting the ball back to his keeper, but for a second it looked like he may have put too much on it.
Another hint of a chance for Arsenal as Dunk fails to convincingly clear a cross despite being under no pressure. The ball is lifted back into the middle and Giroud brings it under control before Brighton's defence just get a foot in.
PENALTY SHOUT! The Seagulls wants a penalty as Calderon goes down in the box following a fine run inside to get on the end of a through-ball. He throws himself to the ground, but Michael Oliver waves it away. That is the correct decision from the ref, but he should have produced a yellow card too. It was a blatant dive from the Brighton man.
Brighton have been much better in this second half so far, but they need to keep their concentration and not commit too many men forward.
GOAL! Brighton 1-3 Arsenal (Tomas Rosicky)
What was I just saying? Arsenal restore their two-goal advantage, and it is something of a gift from Brighton. They give the ball away in a very dangerous position instead of getting it clear, and the Gunners take full advantage. Rosicky plays a reverse pass to Giroud, who returns the favour by standing the ball up to the edge of the box. There is still a lot to do, but Rosicky hammers a volley beyond the keeper. Very good goal from Arsenal.
Suddenly Arsenal look right back in control of the game, but they may be more inclined to push for a fourth goal now as they have seen what a Brighton strike can do for the home side.
BRIGHTON SUB: A change for the hosts here as Solly March comes on for Bruno, who is understood to have picked up a slight injury. He looks to be moving quite freely, but Hughton won't want to take any risks.
SHOT! March looks to make an immediate impact, spinning away from his man in midfield before playing a short pass to O'Grady. The striker bounces off his marker into a yard of space, but shanks his subsequent effort well wide of the mark.
SAVE! Walcott has moved out onto the left and collects a fine pass from Giroud out on the flank. He drops a shoulder to dip inside before letting fly from a good 25 yards and drawing a save from Stockdale. Decent effort from the winger.
March has had an impact his getting on. He skips past Flamini in midfield and has green grass ahead of him to run into. He has a lack of support, however, and is eventually crowded out having reached the edge of the Arsenal box.
ARSENAL SUBS: When two goals down, you don't want to see Alexis Sanchez coming on. However, he is one of two changes for the visitors as he joins Chuba Akpom in replacing Giroud and Walcott.
Brighton have been a little more positive since conceding that third goal, and there have been glimpses of them being able to trouble the Arsenal defence in this last 20 minutes or so. Of the two teams, though, the Gunners still look in greater control.
YELLOW CARD! The first card of the match goes to Baldock, who hacked down Rosicky from behind and when the ball was gone. No doubts about that one.
GOAL! Brighton 2-3 Arsenal (Sam Baldock)
Brighton are not giving up on this one! The reduce the deficit once again, and it is a lovely goal from the hosts. The ball is threaded through for Baldock inside the box, and the striker lifts a really nice finish over Szczesny. Very composed finish from Baldock there, and we are set for a grandstand finish.
Arsenal will be getting a little nervous no! The crowd is back up for this one and the players are getting stuck right in as they look to pull off a memorable comeback. They need to keep their concentration here, though, as they gifted Arsenal their two-goal lead back last time.
YELLOW CARD! Holla is the second name in the book for a cynical trip on Akpom. It was definitely a yellow card, but it was a good foul to commit.
ARSENAL SUB: This is a cautious change from Wenger as he looks to halt Brighton's momentum. Francis Coquelin replaces Ozil for the final 10 minutes.
CHANCE! Brighton commit plenty of men forward in search of the equaliser, but the flip side of that is Arsenal's counter-attack. They break out quickly here through Sanchez, who finds Akpom inside the box. The Arsenal youngster creates space to shot, but Stockdale stops it at his near post.
BRIGHTON SUB: Another change for the hosts as Adrian Colunga comes on in place of Forster-Caskey.
Brighton are in a tricky situation here. They have no choice but to get men forward, but they are leaving themselves very open to the counter. With the likes of Sanchez in the Arsenal attack, that is a real danger. Speaking of Sanchez, he is lining up a free kick from a very dangerous position here...
OFF THE BAR! Almost a superb strike from Sanchez. He curls a fine effort that O'Grady in the wall just manages to get a flick onto. That slight touch takes it onto the crossbar as the Gunners are denied a fourth by the woodwork.
PENALTY SHOUT! At the other end, Brighton want a penalty as Colunga curls an effort into the middle. It certainly strikes Chambers on the arm, but the proximity of the players meant that Oliver, who was perfectly placed, turned the claims down.
YELLOW CARD! Another yellow card for Brighton, and another good one. Akpom burst through the middle of two players and would have been clean through on goal had Greer not tripped him.
Brighton are really putting the pressure on now and it is backs-to-the-wall stuff from Arsenal at the moment. The Seagulls have done really well to give themselves the chance of getting a replay here, but they need one final push in these dying stages.
Brighton have FOUR minutes of added time to save this one.
Akpom collects the ball in a two-on-one situation, but the youngster is too selfish and chooses to go alone with Sanchez in acres of space. He is brought down by Dunk, giving Arsenal a free kick in a good position.
SAVE! It is another beauty of an effort from Sanchez as he sends a powerful, dipping effort towards goal. However, Stockdale gets a strong hand to the ball to make the stop.
YELLOW CARD! Dunk got away without a booking moments ago, but he isn't so lucky here as he stops Rosicky with his hand. Arsenal have yet another free kick in a good position.
SHOT! Again Sanchez goes for goal but this time he is unable to get it on target, curling an effort a yard or so over the bar. Arsenal have the ball at the right end of the field as far as they are concerned, though.
CHANCE! Arsenal should have a fourth as the magnificent Rosicky travels down the right channel before picking out an unmarked Ramsey at the back post with a peach of a cross. Ramsey goes for the volley, but doesn't connect as he would like and misses the target.
FULL TIME: Brighton & Hove Albion 2-3 Arsenal
Arsenal hold out for the win, but they were certainly given a game of it in that second half. It was thoroughly entertaining stuff in the end as Brighton fought back and threatened to force a replay in the closing stages, but in the end the Gunners picked up a deserved victory that sees them through to the fifth round. It wasn't easy but, having seen so many rivals go out yesterday, they will be happy to just be through.
Arsenal made a perfect start to the match when Theo Walcott gave his side the lead inside two minutes, firing an effort into the far bottom corner having been found by Chambers. Ozil doubled his side's lead before the break, at which point Arsenal looked like cruising into the last 16. However, Brighton responded in the second half and pulled a goal back through O'Grady, only for Rosicky to restore the visitors' two-goal advantage with a fine volley from the edge of the box. Baldock set up a tense finale with a second goal for his side, but the hosts couldn't find an equaliser as they crashed out of the FA Cup.
That is all we have time for this evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for what was a thoroughly entertaining FA Cup clash between Brighton and Arsenal. Ultimately it was the Gunners who booked their spot in the fifth round courtesy of a 3-2 win, but it was far from straightforward. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction from both camps. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!
Written by
Barney Corkhill
Barney Corkhill
