Podolski double sends Arsenal into FA Cup last 16
Sunday, 26 January 2014
LONDON, Jan 25 (AFP): Lukas Podolski struck twice as Arsenal eased into the FA Cup fifth round with a comfortable 4-0 victory over League One side Coventry at the Emirates Stadium Friday.
With 54 league places separating the two clubs, an upset was unlikely and late goals from substitutes Olivier Giroud-his 13th of the season-and Santi Cazorla confirmed Arsenal's superiority.
"In the first half we did the job and took the game to them in a serious way and played the way we know we can," Gunners manager Arsene Wenger said.
Asked about a potential move for Schalke midfielder Julian Draxler, Wenger added: "Honestly no. That's an illusion. We've no need to take players on the flank."
Wenger had spoken of his determination to add to his haul of four FA Cup successes in the build-up to the game.
Arsenal's last triumph in the competition came in 2005 when they beat Manchester United in the final, the last time the north London club won silverware of note.
And Wenger's intention to avoid any risk of a shock was reflected in his team selection with Germany's Mesut Ozil, the club's record signing, included in a strong starting line-up.
It soon became clear the Premier League leaders would prove too hot to handle for their third tier opponents.