Arsenal booked their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup courtesy of a 2-0 victory over Hull City in what was a repeat of last season's final.
The holders broke the deadlock in the 20th minute when Per Mertesacker got the better of Curtis Davies in the air to nod past Steve Harper.
Some heroic defending from Hull prevented the Gunners from adding to their lead until the 82nd minute, when Alexis Sanchez picked out the bottom corner with a precise finish from the edge of the box.
Here, Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at an entertaining clash at the Emirates.
Match statistics
ARSENAL
Shots: 17
On target: 7
Possession: 54%
Corners: 6
Fouls: 10
HULL
Shots: 9
On target: 3
Possession: 46%
Corners: 2
Fouls: 9
Was the result fair?
Absolutely. The possession is perhaps more even than Arsenal would usually expect in a home match against a side of Hull's stature, but in terms of chances created, the hosts were by far the better team today. The visitors held their own for long periods of the match, but there was always underlying evidence of the gulf in class between the Gunners and a severely weakened Hull side.
Arsenal will have been wondering quite how they were only one goal to the good at half time having seen a number of chances go begging immediately after Mertesacker's opener. Hull's defenders deserve credit for that, with Paul McShane, Harry Maguire and Harper all making important interceptions to keep the score down.
The second half was a much scrappier affair and didn't see as much goalmouth action, but despite Arsenal enduring a tough spell in the middle of it, they were still creating the better chances. Hull were up against some tough circumstances today, but they can have no complaints at having lost this game.
Arsenal's performance
The visit of Hull was not an easy start to their FA Cup title defence, and in the first 20 minutes it looked like they would have a real game on their hands. The visitors were passing the ball about well and were very much in the game, but Mertesacker's opener changed things and Arsenal soon took control.
Only a world-class piece of defending from McShane prevented them from making it 2-0 moments later, while Harper also needed to be alert to keep the hosts at bay. The likes of Santi Cazorla and Sanchez were running the show, while defensively they had very little to worry about.
The performance in the second half failed to reach those heights, with Arsenal struggling to keep hold of the ball and sitting off Hull for a spell. However, they soon overcame that lull and began threatening again. It was not a perfect display from the Gunners, but there are plenty of positives for Arsene Wenger to take from it, including a return for Theo Walcott, who played 75 minutes without an issue.
Hull's performance
Steve Bruce arrived at the Emirates with a depleted squad following their New Year's Day victory over Everton, and as a result made 10 changes to his side. It was something of a surprise, then, to see them so cohesive and comfortable in possession during the opening 20 minutes or so.
As mentioned above, the opening goal saw Arsenal take control of the game, and the Tigers had to weather a storm for a while. The Gunners created a good amount of chances, but overall Hull defended very well as a unit. McShane and Maguire in particular were impressive at the back as the visitors refused to roll over.
However, it was at the other end of the field that the problems lay. The front two failed to hold the ball up at all, and as a result Hull could not create anything in the final third. They were a match for Arsenal in spells, but their energy seemed to be consumed in containing the hosts rather than getting forward themselves. In the end, they never really tested David Ospina in the opposition goal.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Alexis Sanchez: There were a few notable individual performances today, but once again it was Sanchez who emerged as the star of the show. His prodigious talent is coupled with a magnificent work ethic, and that caused Hull problems all game. He switched up his runs and put in a textbook centre-forward performance, capping it off with a lovely goal.
Biggest gaffe
We may be stretching the term 'gaffe' here, but Davies could have done better in his marking for the opening goal. The Hull man allowed Mertesacker to rise above him without much of a challenge, which gave Arsenal the lead at a crucial time, when Hull were just about on top.
Referee performance
Robert Madley had a relatively quiet game today. Only one wrong decision springs to mind, when he harshly booked Sanchez, but that is a minor gripe in an otherwise solid showing.
What next?
Arsenal: The Gunners are back in league action a week from today as they welcome Stoke City to the Emirates, looking to avenge their defeat earlier in the campaign.
Hull: The Tigers, meanwhile, face a big battle at the bottom as they take on West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns.
Barney Corkhill
