Arsenal qualify for the semifinals of the FA Cup…
SEE ALSO: PES 2014 best players: the 20 highest ranked players on Pro Evolution Soccer 2014.
Here’s how we rated Arsenal’s stars as Wenger’s men brushed aside Everton 4-1 in the FA Cup today…
GK) Lukas Fabianski – 6
Relatively untroubled in the Arsenal goal, and wasn’t at fault for Everton’s equaliser. Is set to start the Gunners’ next fixture too, with Wojciech Szczesny suspended in the Champions League.
DR) Bacary Sagna – 6
Provided a consistent attacking option up the right flank, and did excellent work in Everton’s penalty area to assist Giroud’s first. He did fail to track Kevin Mirallas’s run for Everton’s goal, however.
DC) Thomas Vermaelen – 7
Dealt with the physical threat of Romelu Lukaku very well. He also passed the ball into Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini’s feet impressively.
DC) Per Mertesacker – 7
The giant German was very good in the air, and didn’t lose a header all afternoon.
DL) Kieran Gibbs – 6
Subbed off late for Jenkinson, but did everything expected of him on the left of the back four. Didn’t get forward as much as Sagna on the other flank though.
MC) Mikel Arteta – 7
Dispatched his penalty with aplomb, which was more impressive considering he had to retake it due to Giroud encroaching the box. Interestingly, he played a more roaming, creative role than usual in the absence of Wilshere and Ramsey.
MC) Mathieu Flamini – 6
Booked early on, and gave the ball away needlessly on a handful of occasions. Arguably shied out of a challenge before Everton’s goal, too.
AMR) Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 8
Very good. The Englishman’s decision making was top notch, and he made four crucial tackles as well. Importantly, he won the penalty that gave Arsenal the lead, and ultimately, won them the game.
AMC) Mesut Ozil – 9
This is how you silence the doubters. The German was exceptional, scoring an intelligent first, tracking back and working hard in defence, and cutting Everton open on regular occasions with intricate, zipped passes. Creatively brilliant.
AML) Santi Cazorla – 8
His probing passes always looked like making something happen, and he almost scored with a fizzing low shot. Once Arsenal took a 2-1 lead, he ran the game – passing the Toffees to death and helping his side bag two more.
FC) Yaya Sanogo – 5
Held the ball up relatively well, but never looked like scoring. He still hasn’t found the back of the net for the Gunners, and was hauled off after the hour mark.
Subs:
Tomas Rosicky – 7 – Helped Arsenal kill the game with crisp passing and possession football.
Olivier Giroud – 9 – Came on and bagged twice in 30 minutes. Looked clinical, and hungry.
Carl Jenkinson – n/a – No time to make an impact
