Arsenal vs. Middlesbrough: Score, Grades, Reaction from 2014/15 FA Cup Game

Olivier Giroud scored twice in as many first-half minutes to ease Arsenal into the FA Cup quarter-finals at the expense of Middlesbrough with a 2-0 win.

The France international was the beneficiary of some outstanding work by Santi Cazorla and Kieran Gibbs in the 27th minute to give the Gunners a deserved lead.

Giroud then produced a superb finish at the near post to turn home an Alexis Sanchez corner.

Middlesbrough had arrived at the Emirates Stadium looking to cause another upset after their fourth-round win at Manchester City, but the cup holders offered up a fine passing display throughout the 90 minutes to claim their place in the last eight.

Wojciech Szczesny returned to the Arsenal starting XI in place of David Ospina as Arsene Wenger made several changes to his team.

January signing Gabriel Paulista made his first start for the Gunners, while Alexis shook off a knee injury from the midweek win over Leicester to take his place in the team.

The first chance of the match came in the fifth minute, when Middlesbrough goalkeeper Tomas Mejias got down to his left to turn away a Cazorla free-kick. 

Alexis was denied an opportunity by on-loan Chelsea defender Kenneth Omeruo, who produced a great tackle inside the area after a backheel from Danny Welbeck into the Chilean's path.

Arsenal were dominating the possession, but the Championship side held firm, leaving the Gunners without a real threat in the opening 25 minutes.

But the home side did break the deadlock in the 27th minute with a delightful move. Welbeck played the ball back to Cazorla just outside the area and the midfielder produced a delightful ball to the onrushing Kieran Gibbs on the left side of the area. His cross was perfect for Giroud to slot home from close range.

Just two minutes later, the France international added a second when he got ahead of George Friend at the near post to superbly guide an Alexis corner home on the volley.

Adam Clayton denied Alexis, whose 40-yard run saw him collect a Mesut Ozil pass. The South American's shot squirmed under Mejias and needed a clearance off the line.

Szczesny finally saw some action in the 39th minute, but he was comfortably behind Omeruo's shot from 20 yards.

Calum Chambers was enjoying a solid return to the team in place of Hector Bellerin, and he produced a fine ball for Welbeck into the area, but the striker's clipped cross into the six-yard box had no takers.

Alexis then set up Ozil with a smart pass to the edge of the area, but Mejias stood up well to beat away the German's shot.

Middlesbrough made two switches in the 54th minute with the ineffective Patrick Bamford and Lee Tomlin, who had played starring roles in the fourth-round win at Manchester City, being replaced by Jelle Vossen and Adam Reach.

And Reach made an immediate impact when his driving run forced Gabriel into a foul, which resulted in a yellow card.

Gibbs had been instrumental in Arsenal's first goal, and he almost added his own name to the scoresheet in the 62nd minute after intricate work between Giroud and Cazorla on the edge of the area. But Mejias was equal to the England international's angled drive.

The former Real Madrid goalkeeper produced a superb diving save moments later when Alexis headed a Cazorla free-kick goalward.

Wenger made a double substitution in the 72nd minute as Alexis and Welbeck were replaced by Tomas Rosicky and Theo Walcott.

Omeruo prevented Walcott from adding a third for Arsenal eight minutes from the end when he headed clear from almost on the goal line.

Arsenal made their final change in the 83rd minute when Chuba Akpom came on for Giroud, who was thwarted in his attempt to claim a hat-trick.

Mejias found another fine stop, this time to his right, to deny Walcott in the 88th minute as the sub chased through on goal.

Middlesbrough striker Kike almost grabbed a late consolation in injury-time, but his header struck the post with Szczesny beaten.

However, there could be no argument with the result from the Championship side, who were well beaten by an in-form Gunners.

Selected Player Ratings

Santi Cazorla: A+

Another imperious display from the Arsenal midfielder, who deserved the assist for his brilliant through ball to Gibbs in the build-up to Giroud's opener.

Kenneth Omeruo: A-

Chelsea supporters will have been impressed with their out-on-loan defender, who made one crucial tackle and provided the only test for Szczesny in the first half. Denied Walcott a goal with a headed clearance late on.

Olivier Giroud: A

Two wonderful first-half goals with his second showing sublime skills to guide Alexis' corner home. Excellent display throughout the game before his substitution late in the match.

What's Ahead

Arsenal will return to Premier League action next Saturday when they travel across London to Crystal Palace.

Middlesbrough will be looking to maintain their push for the Premier League when they play at Birmingham City in the Championship on Wednesday.

Post-Match Reaction