Arsenal Back to Winning Ways in FA Cup

Arsenal might have been outplayed for large portions of the game, may have gotten lucky on a couple of missed penalty calls and could easily have lost, but instead progressed to the quarterfinals of the FA Cup, sending Liverpool home 2-1 losers. The game started much as the one a week ago did at Anfield with Liverpool getting behind the Arsenal defense on two occasions early. The difference was that Sturridge failed to take advantage and after 16 minutes it was Arsenal in front 1-0. That was courtesy of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who scored the first and assisted on the second. He was dangerous throughout, with his more direct approach getting around the Liverpool flanks and onto goal on several occasions. The opening goal started after Flanagan fouled Monreal outside the box on the left side. Arteta took the free kick, which was headed out, Ozil grabbed it on the edge of the box, sent a nice cross in to Sanogo, who lined up a powerful shot blocked directly to Ox, who shot across goal for his third of the season.

The remainder of the first half was back and forth, with Liverpool having a chance in the 43^rd on a silly backheel from Jenkinson taken by Suarez and shot on Fabianski, who saved shot after shot from the Uruguayan. Flamini picked up a yellow, in the return from his three game suspension for a red, as did Gerrard in the 42^nd for a professional foul on Ox, as he looked to be through on goal. Then right before halftime, Raheem Sterling got into Webb’s face and actually pushed him, but somehow also avoided a yellow. The half ended with the Gunners up 1-0, having adjusted well after playing a high line early that almost cost them dearly.

The second half started with Suarez in on goal yet again, with Fabianski saving his hard shot well. A minute later Arsenal seemed to put the game to bed when a beautiful through ball from Ozil was taken to the edge by Ox who passed back perfectly to a charging Podolski. The German made no mistake, finishing powerfully with his right foot. Ozil almost made it 3-0 in the 54^th, when he took a counter inside the box on the left and shot hard across goal, though Brad Jones saved well. Podolski then gave back a goal in the 58^th with a silly, though soft challenge, from behind on Suarez, who appeared to be run over by a semi.

Gerrard made no mistake and suddenly the game was on at 2-1 with over 20 minutes to go. From here it was mostly Liverpool, with Arsenal sitting back and just playing occasionally on the counter. Chance after chance emerged, but none ended up in the back of the goal, as Mertesacker and Koscielny reminded why they are considered among the best back duos in the world. Two questionable calls played a role as well. The first was in the 63^rd, when Ox fouled Suarez chasing his own dribble in the box. He again fell as if shot by three shotguns at once, and Webb called off what looked like a second penalty. Then in the 73^rd minute a clear second yellow by Gerrard was ignored by Webb. Cazorla came on for Podolski in the 68^th minute and then Gibbs for Ox in the 75^th.

In the 85^th, Agger had an open goal after Fabianski came out and failed to connect with the ball, but his header went just wide. In the 87^th Giroud came on for the 21-year-old Sanogo, who put in an impressive, if occasionally sloppy, performance. Arsenal began to take control of the game back and besides a questionable free kick on the edge of the box and a nice cross to the far post by Suarez, the game was completed tidily.

So Arsenal stands three games from their first trophy in 9 years, with a home game against Everton next on the docket. It was a nice performance after the past two displays, where they left five points on the pitch, and sets them up well for the clash with an injured Bayern on Wednesday. After that they play a hot Sunderland team, who have won 7 of their last ten in all competitions. The clash on Wednesday may very well play a part in defining the rest of their season, with a strong home leg important for building renewed momentum as the final 12 EPL games lie on the horizon.

A few quick thoughts …

-        -  Ozil has looked better in his last two games and may be on the road back to being the dominant force he was earlier in the season.

-         -  Podolski needs more time on the pitch, even as his defensive play does sometimes leave something to be desired. The speed of he and Ox gave Liverpool trouble on counter after counter and showed what could have been against Man United, if Wenger hadn’t played such a defensive lineup last week.

-        -   Though the defense was stretched, it didn’t break in open play and but for the silly Podolski foul from behind, would have kept another clean sheet. Their form will be key as the Gunners move into a tough run of fixtures in March.

-         -  To reiterate a key point to me, Wenger needs to ensure that he doesn’t abandon too much of his offensive power in the guise of Gnarby, Ox and Podolski, who provide a more direct approach that seems to reap goals. Cazorla is in stellar form, but I believe one of the aforementioned three should be on the pitch in most games – at least until Ramsey returns. I also think that Sanogo showed that he can contribute to the run in, with his power and youthful energy.