Arsenal swept Coventry City aside in a routine FA Cup Fourth Round win that sent the team through to the next stage of the competition.
A first half brace and goals from rested substitutes Oliver Giroud and Santi Carzola helped Arsenal to a cruising 4-0 victory in a match that was never in doubt. Arsene Wenger named a strong starting lineup that included Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Koscielny, and Gibbs in defence, and Wilshere, Ozil, and Podolski in attack. The Frenchman also handed rare starts to number 2 Fabianski and striker Bendtner, while Oxlade-Chamberlain made a first start since injuring his knee on the opening day of the season.
The Gunners started the game with intent and in the opening exchanges both Jack Wilshere and Lukas Podolski went close. The home team looked in the mood and any lingering tension inside the Emirates was quashed when Podolski rounded Coventry stopper Joe Murphy in the 15th minute to slot home at an angle.
The German doubled his tally and Arsenal´s lead in the 27th minute when he headed home a Per Mertesacker flick on from an Ozil corner. A goal made in Germany indeed.
Coventry´s tough season (the club was deducted 10 points at the start of the campaign) was highlighted by the 5,000 strong away contingent as they protested the club moving from its home in Coventry to play at Northampton for home games. It was perhaps an ideal time to offer their thoughts on the subject with the TV cameras in attendance.
The Gunners continued to press throughout the first 45 minutes, with Podolski close to completing a hat-trick, but ultimately the score remained at 2-0 as the teams headed to the changing rooms at halftime.
16-year old midfield prospect Gedion Zelalem was handed his Arsenal debut when he replaced Oxlade-Chamberlain with 20 minutes left, while Cazorla replaced Bendtner in the same exchange. While Coventry found the odd opening to test Fabianski, the home team was comfortable at 2-0, but put gloss on the victory in the closing stages.
Giroud replaced Ozil and quickly found the net to make it 3-0 after 84 minutes, while Cazorla made it 4 with a neat finish from a Murphy parry from Gibbs´ shot.