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Arsenal 4-1 Everton: Giroud at the double to send Gunners to Wembley and move Wenger closer to that elusive trophy

Written By JAK on Saturday, March 8, 2014 | 9:42 PM

Olivier Giroud came off the bench to score twice as Arsenal beat Everton to book their place in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley.

The Gunners were ahead inside seven minutes when Mesut Ozil shrugged off his recent criticism to slot a low ball past Everton goalkeeper Joel Robles.

Everton, though, rallied and went into the break level following a fine counter-attack down the right by Ross Barkley, which ended up with Romelu Lukaku bundling home from close range.

Arsenal - who head to Bayern Munich next week looking to overturn a 2-0 deficit in the second leg of their Champions League last 16 clash - regrouped following the start and went back ahead when former Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta converted a penalty, which had to be retaken following encroachment.

We've done it: Olivier Giroud hoists Mesut Ozil up in the air as the pair celebrate Arsenal's fourth goal
We've done it: Olivier Giroud hoists Mesut Ozil up in the air as the pair celebrate Arsenal's fourth goal
Finished: Giroud slots the ball home to seal the victory for the home side
Finished: Giroud slots the ball home to seal the victory for the home side
Olivier twists the knife: Giroud celebrates sealing the victory for Arsenal with the Gunners' third goal
Olivier twists the knife: Giroud celebrates sealing the victory for Arsenal with the Gunners' third goal
Fox in the box: Giroud slots the ball home from close range after good work from Bacary Sagna
Fox in the box: Giroud slots the ball home from close range after good work from Bacary Sagna

Everton had chances to clear the ball before Olivier Giroud scored Arsenal's third Got there in the end: The ball eventually came across the pitch and Giroud (No 12) scored
Right in the corner: Mikel Arteta holds his nerve to put away the penalty
Right in the corner: Mikel Arteta holds his nerve to put away the penalty
Making his point: Arteta runs away to the fans to celebrate scoring the penalty
Making his point: Arteta runs away to the fans to celebrate scoring the penalty
Wheeling away: Romelu Lukaku runs off to celebrate his close-range equaliser at the Emirates
Wheeling away: Romelu Lukaku runs off to celebrate his close-range equaliser at the Emirates
Easy finish: Lukaku bundles the ball home from inside the six-yard box after a powerful Ross Barkley run
Easy finish: Lukaku bundles the ball home from inside the six-yard box after a powerful Ross Barkley run
Deadly duo: Santi Cazorla (right) and Mesut Ozil celebrate after the German converte the Spaniard's pass to give Arsenal the lead in this FA Cup quarter-final
Deadly duo: Santi Cazorla (right) and Mesut Ozil celebrate after the German converte the Spaniard's pass to give Arsenal the lead in this FA Cup quarter-final

Martinez: I don't agree with penalty but can see why it's given

Match facts
  • Arsenal: Fabianski 6.5; Sagna 7 Mertesacker 7, Vermaelen 7, Gibbs 7.5 (Jenkinson 88); Arteta 8, Flamini 7, Cazorla 8; Oxlade-Chamberlain 7.5 (Rosicky 78), Ozil 8.5; Sanogo 5.5 (Giroud 60, 7)
  • Subs not used: Podolski, Viviano, Miyaichi, Gnabry.
  • Scorers: Ozil 7, Arteta 67 (pen), Giroud 83, 85.
  • Booked: Flamini, Giroud.
  • Everton: Joel 5; Coleman 6.5, Stones 6, Distin 6, Baines 6.5; McCarthy 6, Barry 7, Barkley 7 (Deulofeu 84), Mirallas 6 (McGeady 76); Pienaar 6 (Osman 76); Lukaku 6.5
  • Subs not used: Hibbert, Deulofeu, Naismith, Howard, Browning.
  • Scorer: Lukaku 32.
  • Booked: McCarthy.
  • Man of the match: Mesut Ozil.
  • Referee: Mark Clattenburg
Ratings by SAMI MOKBEL at the Emirates
    
Giroud, who had come on for Yaya Sanogo just after the hour, made sure with a late double, the second following a sublime passing move from the resurgent Gunners.

Everton made a bright start in the early Spring sunshine, but Arsenal took the lead.

Santi Cazorla broke from midfield and to the edge of the visitors' penalty area, where he fed Ozil. The German playmaker took his shot first time on his left foot and despatched a low strike into the bottom right corner.

It was a much-needed confidence boost for the £42.5million midfielder, who had been given a rest by Wenger, was jeered by some German supporters when in action over the international break and had not scored since the 1-1 Barclays Premier League draw against with Everton in early December.

The Gunners continued to poor forward as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's effort was parried by Spanish goalkeeper Joel.

At the other end, Bacary Sagna blocked Steven Pienaar's shot before another quick Arsenal break ended when Ozil's effort was charged down by John Stones, the 19-year-old defender again standing in for injured captain Phil Jagielka.

Everton's number two goalkeeper was then almost caught out by a cross from Sagna through the six-yard box, which he tipped on to the crossbar as it looped over his head.

Three Amigos: Ozil, Tomas Rosicky and Giroud celebrate after the Frenchman scored Arsenal's fourth
Three Amigos: Ozil, Tomas Rosicky and Giroud celebrate after the Frenchman scored Arsenal's fourth
It's all gone quiet over there: Lukaku cups his hand to his ear in front of the Arsenal fans after scoring
It's all gone quiet over there: Lukaku cups his hand to his ear in front of the Arsenal fans after scoring
Flare play: Everton's fans set off smoke bombs while celebrating Lukaku's equaliser
Flare play: Everton's fans set off smoke bombs while celebrating Lukaku's equaliser
Early strike: Ozil guides the pall past Everton defenders and into the corner to give Arsenal the lead
Early strike: Ozil guides the pall past Everton defenders and into the corner to give Arsenal the lead

Mesut Ozil was booed by German fans in midweek but cheered here after this goal Flowing move: Arsenal kept the ball well before Ozil finished calmly
That's more like it: Matieu Flamini (left) has words of encouragement for goalscorer Ozil (second left)
That's more like it: Matieu Flamini (left) has words of encouragement for goalscorer Ozil (second left)

Everton were level on 32 minutes.

A superb break down the right from Barkley saw the ball chipped right through the Arsenal six-yard box. Kevin Mirallas' scuffed shot saw the ball drop back into the centre, where Lukaku was on hand to bundle it over the line.

Arsenal had rarely looked in any danger until that point, and were soon back on the offensive as a 20-yard drive from Oxlade-Chamberlain was parried by Joel before Cazorla's volley was deflected behind.

Everton were almost gifted another goal early in the second half when a slip from captain Thomas Vermaelen, back in the side after a hamstring problem for Laurent Koscielny, put Lukaku away on the right.

Wizard of Oz: The Germany midfielder tries to beat Everton defender John Stones
Wizard of Oz: The Germany midfielder tries to beat Everton defender John Stones
Back in the groove: Ozil (right) shields the ball from Stones (centre) and James McCarthy
Back in the groove: Ozil (right) shields the ball from Stones (centre) and James McCarthy
Pushing the boundaries: Leighton Baines (left) is given a nudge by Ozil during an aerial duel
Pushing the boundaries: Leighton Baines (left) is given a nudge by Ozil during an aerial duel
Crunching challenge: Sylvain Distin (right) and Yaya Sanogo fight for the ball
Crunching challenge: Sylvain Distin (right) and Yaya Sanogo fight for the ball
Leaving him trailing: Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain (left) gets away from Ross Barkley
Leaving him trailing: Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain (left) gets away from Ross Barkley
Through the legs: Mikel Arteta tries a novel way of dispossessing Lukaku
Through the legs: Mikel Arteta tries a novel way of dispossessing Lukaku

The Belgian surged forward and then laid the ball back for Barkley, but the England midfielder could only crash his shot over the bar - much to the frustration of the 5,000-strong Everton fans in the Clock End.

Arsenal were awarded a penalty on 67 minutes when Ozil's backheel released Oxlade-Chamberlain down the right and he was tripped by Gareth Barry after cutting inside.

Arteta smashed home the spot-kick into the bottom left corner - only for referee Clattenburg to order a retake for encroachment by Giroud.

The former Everton midfielder kept his nerve to fire the ball past Joel again, this time high into the right side of the net.

Midfield battle: Arteta and Ross Barkley vie for the ball during a keenly-contested first half
Midfield battle: Arteta and Ross Barkley vie for the ball during a keenly-contested first half
Heads up: Everton's young defender John Stones challenges in the air with Yaya Sanogo
Head and shoulders above: Stones wins the ball in the air
Head and shoulders above: Everton's young defender John Stones challenges in the air with Yaya Sanogo
Stan up for the Arsenal: Gunners owner Stan Kroenke (right) makes a rare visit to the Emirates
Stan up for the Arsenal: Gunners owner Stan Kroenke (right) makes a rare visit to the Emirates
Falling short: Yaya Sanogo (left) goes to ground under the challenge of Seamus Coleman
Falling short: Yaya Sanogo (left) goes to ground under the challenge of Seamus Coleman
Thumbs up: Lukas Podolski with (left) Ryo Miyaichi and (left) Serge Gnabry before the match
Thumbs up: Lukas Podolski with (left) Ryo Miyaichi and (left) Serge Gnabry before the match

With the tie having opened up, both sides made changes as Aiden McGeady and Leon Osman came on for Everton as Oxlade-Chamberlain made way for Tomas Rosicky, who earlier this week signed a contract extension with Arsenal.

Arsenal secured their semi-final trip to Wembley when Sagna got away down the right and to the goalline, where he cut the ball back for Giroud to crash home a third on 83 minutes.

Arsenal, though, saved the best for last as a blistering counter-attack ripped Everton apart.

Cazorla fed Rosicky down the right, who in turn picked out Ozil, and his first-time ball into the centre was swept home by Giroud to keep Arsenal on course for a first trophy since 2005.
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