Everyone Arsenal fan was very happy to see Olivier Giroud finally get back on the scoresheet after 11 barren games were pointing to a total lack of form, but in my view the last two goals by Theo Walcott outshone the Frenchman by a mile.
Let’s be brutally honest here, both of Giroud’s goals were lucky. Yes he had to be in the right place to score but did you notice that both of them were assists from Hull players! Maybe that means that the fact he was the proud father of a baby boy the night before has given him back the little bit of luck he needs to put the ball in the net, whereas the two that Walcott scored means that the Englishman has finally got his confidence back.
Both of them reminded me of Thierry Henry, especially the first where he slid it out of reach of the keeper into the corner, but the second was even more impressive to find a way through at a tight angle.
Maybe Theo was finding it hard to take the responsibility of being the main striker and only needed to return to the flanks to regain his confidence, which he alluded to after the game, as well as reminding us all he is a team player. “Goals breed confidence personally but what is more important is that the team wins. It’s all about the team tonight,” he told thefa.com.
“We got a clean sheet and that’s always the first thing on everyone’s list. We always know we’re going to score goals but as we look back on a great night, the only disappointment is the injuries that we have had.”
“I have been playing out on the left quite a lot and I have probably missed playing out on the wing – it’s different challenge for me.
“The manager has got so many good options and I have always said I can play in any of the front three positions. Hopefully I have shown the manager what I can do but it’s about the team.
“We have got a good tie next. At home is always good to have that support from the crowd, the fans will behind us and we want to do well in this competition and hold on to the trophy.
“There’s a sense in the dressing room that we want to do it again this year and after that performance why not?”
Being English, maybe Walcott appreciates the importance of the FA Cup more than most of our squad, but he definitely proved his hunger to get back into the team and help us to win it again. I think if he stays out on the wing now, it can only be productive for Arsenal during the rest of the season, and also maybe for England at the World Cup?