Arsenal looked like they were facing a potential repeat of last week's nightmare result against Liverpool in the opening minutes, but the Reds weren't nearly as clinical in front of goal. With Liverpool failing to capitalize on their early chances, Arsenal were able to find their footing and put together a solid performance, defeating their visitors 2-1 to advance in the FA Cup.
Arsenal vs. Liverpool: Final score 2-1, cup revenge for the Gunners
Arsenal were thoroughly embarrassed by Liverpool in the Premier League a week ago, but they got the better of the Reds in the FA Cup and will face Everton in the quarterfinals.
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Daniel Sturridge had a number of excellent chances in the opening 15 minutes, but failed to capitalize, putting sitters into the side netting on a couple of occasions. That left the door open for Arsenal to take the lead early, and they did so through their hottest player, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
The goal came in unorthodox fashion for the Gunners, who looked a bit different with youngster Yaya Sanogo up top. He won a 50-50 ball in the air and had his shot blocked 10 yards from goal, but it bounced into the path of Oxlade-Chamberlain. He pounced quickly, smashing past Brad Jones with his first touch.
Oxlade-Chamberlain set up the eventual winning goal as well, putting Liverpool behind by two goals just two minutes into the second half. He found space with a run down the right flank and cut back to the center of the box for Podolski, who had an easy finish to double his team’s lead.
Liverpool looked dangerous throughout the game, but struggled to test Lukasz Fabianski. Their one goal came through a penalty, granted off a terrible forward’s challenge by Podolski on Luis Suarez. Steven Gerrard buried the penalty to get Liverpool back into the game, but they couldn’t find an equalizing goal, despite another good shout for a penalty in the dying minutes.
Arsenal: Fabianski, Monreal, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Sagna, Flamini, Arteta, Oxlade-Chamberlain (Gibbs 76’), Özil, Podolski (Cazorla 69’), Sanogo (Giroud 89’)
Goals: Oxlade-Chamberlain (16’), Podolski (47’)
Liverpool: Jones; Cissokho (Henderson 62’), Agger, Skrtel, Flanagan, Gerrard, Allen, Coutinho, Sterling, Suarez, Sturridge
Goals: Gerrard (pen 59’)
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