Lukas Podolski's first-half double ensured Arsenal were the first side to make it into The FA Cup Fifth Round this season as the Premier League leaders overpowered Coventry City. Although Coventry had a handful of chances, with Leon Clarke a threat throughout, Arsenal rarely had to extend themselves and made the game safe with late goals from the substitutes Olivier Giroud and Santi Cazorla. Coventry and their 5,100 travelling fans had bad memories of their last visit to the Emirates Stadium, going down 6-1 in the League Cup last season, but Arsene Wenger paid Steven Pressley's side a compliment by fielding a near full-strength side. England internationals Jack Wilshere and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were given an opportunity to boss midfield, and Kieran Gibbs and Carl Jenkinson were expected to drive forward from full-back. Arsenal permitted Coventry several early spells of possession, but there was always a feeling that the hosts were toying with the 1987 FA Cup-winners. And they punished some impatient Coventry build-up play when Oxlade-Chamberlain intercepted a pass intended for Franck Moussa and laid off for Mesut Ozil. The Germany international skipped clear of one challenge and picked out his countryman Podolski, who drove towards the visitors' box at speed. Joe Murphy sped off his line to close on Podolski but the forward held his nerve and fired into the empty net. Coventry came close to an immediate answer, however, when the ever-industrious Carl Baker burst from midfield and was allowed to canter through unattended before checking on to his left foot and shooting powerfully from 25 yards. Lukasz Fabianski had to be at his best to tip over. Podolski doubled his tally on 26 minutes, nodding unmarked in at the far post, after Per Mertesacker had flicked on Ozil's corner. Perhaps trailing 2-0 at half-time against the Premier League leaders liberated Coventry, because they emerged in a bullish mood. Clarke sprung clear of the offside trap but fired straight at the legs of Fabianski. Then the powerhouse striker picked up a pass from Moussa, but his chip-drive flew off target. Nicklas Bendtner came close to making it 3-0 for the hosts only to skew wide from 10 yards after good approach work from Jack Wilshere, but within seconds Coventry were at it again. Billy Daniels swiveled clear on the edge of the Arsenal area only to fire over Fabianski's cross. But the visitors' forward momentum soon petered out, and the Arsenal fans were treated to a first glimpse of the 16-year-old midfielder Gedion Zelalem. Tipped for great things, the Berlin-born Germany youth international became the first Arsenal player to born after Arsene Wenger took over at the north London club. Giroud ended Arsenal's 57-minute goalless spell by steering home an excellent left-wing cutback, and then another replacement, Cazorla, made it 4-0, smashing high into the roof of Murphy's net with one minute remaining. Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Fabianski; Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs; Wilshere, Oxlade-Chamberlain (Zelalem, 71); Gnabry, Ozil, Podolski (Giroud, 79); Bendtner (Cazorla, 71). Substitutes: Viviano, Sagna, Monreal, Flamini. Booking: Wilshere Goals: Podolski 15, 27, Giroud 82, Cazorla 89. Coventry City (4-4-2): Murphy: Christie, Seabourne, Webster, Adams; Fleck, Baker, Thomas, Daniels; L Clarke, Moussa (J Clarke, 88). Substitutes: Burge, Willis, Haynes, Phillips, Barton, Slager. Referee: Robert Madley Attendance: 59,451 Read more at http://www.thefa.com/news/the-fa-cup/2014/jan/lukas-podolski-fires-arsenal-past-coventry-city-in-the-fa-cup-fourth-round-match-report-240114#0J6gumPHVoCtKdcR.99 To find out more about the The FA Cup visit: http://thefa.com/TheFACup/FACompetitions/TheFACup The FA Cup on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/TheFACup Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/fatvofficial

• published: 25 Jan 2014
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