Both teams started quickly and it was an even first few moments, but 7 minutes in Cazorla found space with a men to his left and his right. He went left with a perfect pass to Mesut Ozil who neatly placed it in the far corner providing the team and himself with a much needed boost. He was a standout performer yesterday.
From then on Arsenal bossed the game until the 30th minute when Ross Barkley broke and he was tracked by the already booked Flamini who made the decision with his experience not to lunge in, that resulted in a cross that Mirallas hashed up but it fell to Lukaku all of a yard out who made it 1-1. From then on it was an even and end to end game with both sides pressurising and looking dangerous.
Early in the second half an unfortunate slip from Vermaelen let Lukaku surge down the wing, he pulled it back to Barkley who should have scored but place it over. That was the moment when Everton's cup tie was dead and buried. Moments later Arsenal were in the lead, the Ox powered into the box and slipped past Barry on the Barry on the by-line who then tripped Alex and Arsenal had a penalty. There was nothing more in the challenge than a trip, it was dangerous or malicious but it was a stone wall penalty.
Then in a bizarre series of events, Arteta stepped up and placed it perfectly in the corner but Clattenberg called him back as Giroud encroached and was subsequently booked which is probably the only time I've ever seen that happen. Arteta with nerves of steel stepped up again, went the other way along with the keeper but it was powerfully placed high and out of reach. Fantastic play from the Spaniard.
Everton never really threatened after that and Arsenal drove forward with the fresh legs of Rosicky who again showed just how valuable a player he really is despite his age. After a lovely overlap he played Sagna in who held the ball fantastically on the by line and slid the ball through the eye of a needle perfect for Giroud who turned it in. It looked simple but it was by no means an easy chance.
There was to be one more goal and a more typical Arsenal goal you couldn't wish to see. A rapid counter attack that again involved Rosicky along with Cazorla. Ozil was picked out and just entered the box when he showed his class squaring the ball to the unmarked Giroud who passed it in for his second and a well rounded Arsenal performance. People talk about teams being ruthless and showing no mercy and it's a quality I feel we have lacked in previous seasons but this was a demonstration of just that.
There were some real stand out performances yesterday mainly from Alex OC, Cazorla and Ozil. It was such an important game for our record signing after weeks of what at times have been harsh criticism, but he looked fresh and recharged yesterday and it showed in his quality performance. Coming to the end of his second season, the more and more Santi Cazorla looks like an absolute steal for the £15m paid for him. A fan favourite, ambidextrous and just an all round world class player he's been a fantastic addition for the team.
Well the semi-final draw will be made today and no-doubt we'll draw Man City the way this cup draw has happened but we'd end up playing them eventually anyway so who knows. Either way a day at Wembley is much needed and deserved I think, now we have a tricky game against the European Champions on Tuesday and I'll be back tomorrow with news and a preview, until then have a great day.
