Rosicky restored Arsenal’s two-goal lead with a 59th-minute volley that was too hot for Brighton goalkeeper Stockdale to handle. PHOTO: AFP
The Cup-holders avoided joining several other Premier League clubs in making a surprise fourth-round exit with a 3-2 win away to second-tier Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday that booked their place in the last 16.
Theo Walcott, Mesut Ozil and Tomas Rosicky all scored for Arsenal, ensuring strikes from Brighton’s Chris O’Grady and Sam Baldock to make it 2-1 and then 3-2 respectively did little more than cause a few extra nerves for the visitors.
Arsenal are now one of just a handful of elite Premier League teams in Monday’s fifth-round draw, after Chelsea amazingly lost 4-2 to third-tier Bradford City and Manchester City were eliminated following a 2-0 defeat by Brighton’s divisional rivals Middlesbrough.
Wenger said he ‘couldn’t believe’ those results and had to check them twice, but acknowledged they made his side favourites for the trophy alongside Manchester United, who have still to overcome fourth division Cambridge United in a replay.
“I think the results were a bit of subconscious warning for us,” said Wenger. “What you want to do now is to focus on the next round and go through. We have good experience from last season to know that every round is difficult. The most difficult games weren’t the expected ones. We will fight and we want to retain our Cup.”
Meanwhile, Wenger was optimistic Arsenal would sign defender Gabriel Paulista from Villarreal, expressing confidence the deal would go through despite the Brazilian’s work permit issues.
Arsenal could maybe have done with a bit more protection at the back against Brighton, except for the fact the North London club’s attack was so scintillating.
Walcott put Arsenal ahead within just two minutes with an angled strike while Ozil then added his first goal since a knee injury in October, making it 2-0 in the 24th minute.
O’Grady did cause some panic for Arsenal after firing into the bottom corner just after half-time, but Rosicky lashed home, just shy of the hour mark, to cap a supreme individual performance, ensuring Baldock’s 75th-minute effort did little more than keep a bit of life in the match.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 27th, 2015.
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