Arsenal sailed through to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup after a comfortable 2-0 victory over Portsmouth in the fifth round. Arsenal needed a performance and win following their embarrassing elimination from the Europa League at the hands of Olympiacos.
Mikel Arteta gave January signing Pablo Mari his debut and the Spanish defender impressed all trough with a very composed performance. Arsenal went ahead two minutes before half time.
Reiss Nelson who was starting his first game in a month fired in a very good cross from the right and Sokratis was on hand to place the ball into the net for his third goal of the season.
Eddie Nketiah was preferred ahead of Alexandre Lacazette in the striking role and the youngster repaid his manager’s faith with a close-range finish just six minutes after the restart. It was his third goal in six starts for the Gunners this season.
There was a slight scare for Arsenal when midfielder Lucas Torreira was stretched off following a nasty challenge in the first half. His ankle looked hurt and he was in pain but it was reported after the match that the injury is not as bad as initially feared.
Arsenal will now wait for the other fifth-round matches to be complete before they learn of their opponents in the quarter-finals.