Arsenal cruise into FA Cup semis

TWO goals from late substitute Olivier Giroud and one apiece by Mesut Ozil and Mikel Arteta secured Arsenal’s place in the FA Cup semifinals with a 4-1 win against Everton at the Emirates Stadium yesterday.

Ozil gave Arsenal a seventhminute lead, after a precise through ball from Santi Cazorla. But Everton equalised after a surging run from Ross Barkley resulted in a Romelu Lukaku tap-in after 32 minutes.

Arsenal regained the lead in the 68th minute after Gareth Barry tripped Alex OxladeChamberlain in the box and Arteta converted from the penalty spot.

Striker Olivier Giroud then came off the bench to score twice in the 83rd and 85th minutes. Arteta’s penalty was the turning point, forcing Everton to push forward in search of another equaliser.

The Spanish midfielder, who left Everton for Arsenal in August 2011, was forced to retake his initial penalty after Giroud encroached into the box.

“It was a massive moment and I’m just happy I scored,” Arteta said.

“We dominated the game and had the better chances but Everton showed their quality when they broke in the first half, so overall we are happy to be at Wembley.” Arsenal now enter the draw for the semifinals at Wembley with high hopes of winning their first major trophy in nine years. They won the FA Cup in 2005.

“It will be amazing if we can win it. We’re in the semifinal, have a good chance and want to do it,” Arteta said.

“I missed the final at Wembley with Everton [2009] when I was with them because of a cruciate injury so playing there in the semifinal will be a good moment for me.” The rest of the FA Cup quarterfinals will be played today.

Sheffield United host Charlton, while Sunderland travel to Hull City, and Manchester City welcome Wigan Athletic in a repeat of last year’s FA Cup final. —