ESPN FC’s Stewart Robson reacts to Theo Walcott’s comments that the current side is better in attacking positions, but Robson disagrees completely.
When Arsenal last played Brighton it was in the FA Cup and they won 3-2. History repeated itself again on Sunday, but the Gunners were more than good value for their win, despite two defensive lapses which allowed the home side to make the game tighter than it should have been.
Tomas Rosicky was the captain for the day, in the absence of Per Mertesacker and Mikel Arteta, and the Czech international led by example with an absolutely outstanding performance. The stats will show that he got an assist and a truly fantastic goal, but his overall contribution was far more than that.
After a weekend of shocks which saw Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham all lose, Arsenal ensured they didn’t fall victim to the magic of the cup and their place in the fifth round is assured.
Player ratings (1-10; 10=best; players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating):
GK Wojciech Szczesny, 6 — Had no chance with the first goal, perhaps could have done more for the second, but not the kind of performance that will see him regain his Premier League spot.
DF Calum Chambers, 7 — Created the first goal with a great run down the right hand side, might have been stronger in the aerial challenge that led to the first Brighton goal.
DF Laurent Koscielny, 5 — Not his best day by a long way, made a couple of atypical errors and he didn’t seem quite as switched on as he should have been at times.
DF Nacho Monreal, 6 — The Spaniard was the more solid of the two central defenders, and he’s typically a left back.
DF Kieran Gibbs, 6 — Got forward well, defended solidly down the left, but unspectacular overall.
MF Mathieu Flamini, 5 — Turned rather too easily for the first Brighton goal, and lacked the combative assurance that Francis Coquelin has brought in previous games.
MF Aaron Ramsey, 7 — Ran himself ragged, used the ball well, got himself into some good positions, his energy was important.
MF Tomas Rosicky, 9 — It’s hard to think that he’s 34 years of age. He’s got extraordinary energy and desire. His assist was fantastic, his goal brilliant, and those weren’t even the best things he did in the game. Some of his disguised passing was incredible.
Arsenal managed to avoid the FA Cup upset bug at Brighton thanks to a sublime performance from Tomas Rosicky.
MF Theo Walcott, 6.5 — His finish for the opening goal was excellent, but he’s still very rusty in his all round play and he wasted two good chances to create clear goal-scoring opportunities for teammates who had made a huge effort to get into the right positions.
MF Mesut Ozil, 7 — The goal will have done him good as he looks to kickstart his season, and he wasn’t found wanting when it came to the defensive effort either. Used the ball sensibly.
FW Olivier Giroud, 6.5 — A deft assist for Rosicky’s goal, worked hard overall but never got the service he wanted to add to his own goals tally.
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Substitutes:
Chuba Akpom, NR — The youngster came on fir Giroud in the 70th minute and had a shot saved and got into some good positions. Perhaps too keen to make an impact.
Alexis Sanchez, NR — Replaced Walcott in the 70th minute and had a good look with a free kick, saw another one saved, and got 20 minutes of being booted around by Brighton players.
Francis Coquelin, NR — Brought on for Ozil to shore things up in the 80th minute, Coquelin did well as the home side pressed for an equaliser.