Arsenal v Coventry
Olivier Giroud scored his first goal for Arsenal as the Gunners put six past Coventry to book a Capital One Cup fourth round visit to Reading.
Giroud latched on to Francis Coquelin's pass to open the scoring, but the French striker then missed a penalty.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain netted before Andrey Arshavin scored on a rare start.
Theo Walcott grabbed the first of two goals before Callum Ball replied for the visitors as Ignasi Miquel added to a convincing Gunners victory.
League Cup fourth-round draw:
- Sunderland v Middlesbrough
- Swindon v Aston Villa
- Wigan v Bradford
- Leeds v Southampton
- Norwich v Tottenham
- Liverpool v Swansea
- Chelsea v Manchester United
- Reading v Arsenal
Chances were limited for League One strugglers Coventry, who have only tasted victory in the two previous League Cup rounds this season.
But new boss Mark Robins would have been impressed by a first-half performance where Stephen Elliott went closest to opening the scoring when his header flew wide following Franck Moussa's teasing cross.
The victory for Arsenal maintained their unbeaten start to the season, while there were significant returns for Arshavin, who made his first start since January, and Emmanuel Frimpong following a bad knee injury last season.
Having handed debuts to Moussa and James Bailey, Robins watched as Richard Wood fired over on the half-hour mark but, once Giroud had a sighter, the former Montpellier frontman beat the offside trap before the break to steer past Sky Blues keeper Joe Murphy.
Giroud's chances of then doubling the lead and his season's tally were thwarted when Murphy saved his penalty when he stooped low to his right after Reece Brown had brought down Arshavin.
Arsenal forward Giroud, 25, was not helped when a pitch invader caused a delay to him taking the the spot-kick and a frenetic period continued when Miquel crashed a header against the crossbar following Murphy's save.
After Wood went close with another header, Oxlade-Chamberlain established a measure of control when the teenager collected Arshavin's pass to fire in from 25 yards.
Arshavin, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Zenit St Petersburg, got on the scoresheet by chesting the ball down and firing in for his first goal of the season.
Arsenal's Nico Yennaris was a mascot the last time the Gunners hosted Coventry 12 years ago, and he set Walcott free to make it 4-0.
Ball gave Coventry something to show for their efforts on 78 minutes, but two minutes later Miquel finished before Walcott added a second, and his third of the season, in the last minute.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger: "I think we did our job, in the first half we were tested defensively mainly, in the second half our offensive potential made the difference when they tired a little bit.
"From then on of course you had Andrey Arshavin, Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Olivier Giroud who were always a threat and the difference of quality had a big impact on the result in the end."
Coventry manager Mark Robins: "I think for us it is easy to be hypercritical but it is difficult to be that when you are playing one of the best teams in Europe - regardless of the players he has put on the field, they are quality players.
"It is disappointing to lose the six goals, there is a danger that you look at it and think that is acceptable, that isn't acceptable but it is building it up.
"We ran out of legs and that is something we have got to work on."
Lineup, Bookings (1) & Substitutions (5)
Arsenal
- 36 Martinez
- 11 Santos
- 20 Djourou
- 38 Angha
- 54 Miquel
- 14 Walcott
- 15 Oxlade-Chamberlain (Gnabry - 72' )
- 22 Coquelin (Frimpong - 72' )
- 23 Arshavin
- 64 Yennaris
- 12 Giroud (Chamakh - 72' )
Substitutes
- 60 Shea
- 18 Squillaci
- 40 Bellerin
- 26 Frimpong
- 46 Eisfeld
- 47 Gnabry
- 29 Chamakh
Coventry City
- 01 Murphy
- 02 Clarke
- 24 Wood
- 34 Reckord
- 35 Brown Booked
- 08 Baker
- 16 Barton
- 32 Moussa (Fleck - 60' )
- 38 Bailey
- 11 McSheffrey
- 14 Elliott (Ball - 69' )
Substitutes
- 13 Dunn
- 03 Hussey
- 25 Edjenguele
- 10 Fleck
- 09 McDonald
- 17 Ball
- 27 Daniels
Live Text Commentary
Full Time The final whistle is blown by the referee.
90:00 +3:00Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Carl Baker (Coventry) to centre, save (caught) by Damian Martinez (Arsenal).
90:00 +1:38Floated corner from left by-line taken left-footed by Gary McSheffrey (Coventry) to centre, clearance by Nico Yennaris (Arsenal).
90:00 +1:20Goal kick taken short by Joe Murphy (Coventry).
90:00 +0:28Header by Callum Ball (Coventry) from right side of penalty area (12 yards), save (caught) by Damian Martinez (Arsenal).
89:08Assist (pass) by Emmanuel Frimpong (Arsenal) from own half.
89:08 Goal scoredGoal! - Theo Walcott - Arsenal 6 - 1 Coventry Goal by Theo Walcott (Arsenal) right-footed (bottom-right of goal) from left side of penalty area (12 yards).Arsenal 6-1 Coventry.
88:37Foul by Adam Barton (Coventry) on Emmanuel Frimpong (Arsenal). Free kick taken left-footed by Clarindo Andre Santos (Arsenal) from left wing, passed.
88:28Attacking throw-in by Carl Baker (Coventry).
86:03Goal kick taken long by Joe Murphy (Coventry).
85:04Foul by Gary McSheffrey (Coventry) on Nico Yennaris (Arsenal). Free kick taken right-footed by Johan Djourou (Arsenal) from right channel, passed.
84:07Shot by Serge Gnabry (Arsenal) right-footed from right side of penalty area (12 yards), over the bar.
83:30Shot by Theo Walcott (Arsenal) left-footed from left side of penalty area (6 yards), save (parried) by Joe Murphy (Coventry).
82:50Foul by Nico Yennaris (Arsenal) on Adam Barton (Coventry). Free kick taken left-footed by Gary McSheffrey (Coventry) from right channel, passed.
82:32Goal kick taken long by Joe Murphy (Coventry).
82:14Shot by Theo Walcott (Arsenal) right-footed from right side of penalty area (12 yards), missed right.
81:46Weak shot by Andrey Arshavin (Arsenal) left-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), save (caught) by Joe Murphy (Coventry).
80:58Shot by Serge Gnabry (Arsenal) drilled left-footed from centre of penalty area (12 yards), missed left.
79:26Assist (cross) by Andrey Arshavin (Arsenal) from left wing.
79:26 Goal scoredGoal! - Ignasi Miquel - Arsenal 5 - 1 Coventry Headed goal by Ignasi Miquel (Arsenal) (bottom-left of goal) from centre of penalty area (6 yards).Arsenal 5-1 Coventry.
Corner from right by-line taken short right-footed by Andrey Arshavin (Arsenal).
77:59Assist (cross) by Carl Baker (Coventry) from right wing.
77:59 Goal scoredGoal! - Callum Ball - Arsenal 4 - 1 Coventry Goal by Callum Ball (Coventry) left-footed (bottom-left of goal) from centre of penalty area (6 yards).Arsenal 4-1 Coventry.
77:11Goal kick taken long by Damian Martinez (Arsenal).
75:50Foul by Ignasi Miquel (Arsenal) on Callum Ball (Coventry). Free kick crossed left-footed by Gary McSheffrey (Coventry) from right wing, resulting in ball out of play.
75:45Goal kick taken long by Damian Martinez (Arsenal).
75:05Shot by Callum Ball (Coventry) left-footed from centre of penalty area (12 yards), missed right.
73:28Assist (pass) by Nico Yennaris (Arsenal) from right wing.
73:28 Goal scoredGoal! - Theo Walcott - Arsenal 4 - 0 Coventry Goal by Theo Walcott (Arsenal) right-footed (bottom-left of goal) from right side of penalty area (12 yards).Arsenal 4-0 Coventry.
73:10Defending throw-in by Clarindo Andre Santos (Arsenal).
71:36Free kick taken left-footed by Joe Murphy (Coventry) from own half, resulting in open play.
71:36 SubstitutionSubstitution Arsenal substitution: Olivier Giroud replaced by Marouane Chamakh (tactical).
71:36 SubstitutionSubstitution Arsenal substitution: Francis Coquelin replaced by Emmanuel Frimpong (tactical).
71:37 SubstitutionSubstitution Arsenal substitution: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain replaced by Serge Gnabry (tactical).
71:28Theo Walcott (Arsenal) caught offside.
70:08Foul by James Bailey (Coventry) on Ignasi Miquel (Arsenal). Free kick taken right-footed by Damian Martinez (Arsenal) from own half, resulting in open play.
69:07Outswinging corner from left by-line taken left-footed by Gary McSheffrey (Coventry) to centre, clearance by Ignasi Miquel (Arsenal).
68:45 SubstitutionSubstitution Coventry substitution: Stephen Elliott replaced by Callum Ball (tactical).
68:06Shot by James Bailey (Coventry) left-footed from left channel (20 yards), blocked by Martin Angha (Arsenal).
67:00Shot by Gary McSheffrey (Coventry) left-footed from left side of six-yard box (6 yards), over the bar.
66:05Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Andrey Arshavin (Arsenal) to centre, header by Johan Djourou (Arsenal) from left side of six-yard box (6 yards), save (caught) by Joe Murphy (Coventry).
65:23Goal kick taken long by Joe Murphy (Coventry).
64:44Defending throw-in by Clarindo Andre Santos (Arsenal).
62:55Assist (pass) by Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) from left channel.
62:55 Goal scoredGoal! - Andrey Arshavin - Arsenal 3 - 0 Coventry Goal by Andrey Arshavin (Arsenal) right-footed (bottom-right of goal) from centre of penalty area (12 yards).Arsenal 3-0 Coventry.
62:04Foul by Stephen Elliott (Coventry) on Francis Coquelin (Arsenal). Free kick taken left-footed by Ignasi Miquel (Arsenal) from own half, passed.
61:32Defending throw-in by Jordan Clarke (Coventry).
61:10Shot by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal) right-footed from left channel (25 yards), save (caught) by Joe Murphy (Coventry).
59:58Goal kick taken long by Joe Murphy (Coventry).
59:21 SubstitutionSubstitution Coventry substitution: Franck Moussa replaced by John Fleck (tactical).
58:13Defending throw-in by Clarindo Andre Santos (Arsenal).
56:08Assist (pass) by Andrey Arshavin (Arsenal) from left channel.
56:08 Goal scoredGoal! - Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - Arsenal 2 - 0 Coventry Goal by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal) right-footed (high centre of goal) from left channel (25 yards).Arsenal 2-0 Coventry.
55:33Defending throw-in by Martin Angha (Arsenal).
55:08Shot by Theo Walcott (Arsenal) right-footed from right channel (25 yards), save (caught) by Joe Murphy (Coventry).
54:50Attacking throw-in by Clarindo Andre Santos (Arsenal).
53:52Defending throw-in by Clarindo Andre Santos (Arsenal).
53:44Goal kick taken long by Damian Martinez (Arsenal).
52:47Foul by Theo Walcott (Arsenal) on Franck Moussa (Coventry). Free kick taken right-footed by Carl Baker (Coventry) from left wing, header by Richard Wood (Coventry) from centre of penalty area (12 yards), missed right.
52:29Attacking throw-in by Jamie Reckord (Coventry).
52:07Attacking throw-in by Jordan Clarke (Coventry).
51:34Goal kick taken short by Joe Murphy (Coventry).
50:38Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal) to centre, header by Ignasi Miquel (Arsenal) from centre of penalty area (12 yards),
50:32 PenaltyPlaced penalty taken left-footed by Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) (bottom-left of goal), save (tipped round post) by Joe Murphy (Coventry).
48:27 BookingBooking Reece Brown (Coventry) booked for unsporting behaviour.
48:06Foul by Reece Brown (Coventry) on Andrey Arshavin (Arsenal).
47:40Defending throw-in by Martin Angha (Arsenal).
46:54Attacking throw-in by Clarindo Andre Santos (Arsenal).
46:13Corner from right by-line taken short right-footed by Franck Moussa (Coventry).
45:33Goal kick taken short by Damian Martinez (Arsenal).
45:01The referee starts the second half.
45:00 +1:02 Half timeHalf Time The ref blows to signal half-time.
45:00 +0:19Foul by James Bailey (Coventry) on Clarindo Andre Santos (Arsenal). Free kick taken left-footed by Martin Angha (Arsenal) from own half, passed.
44:51Header by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal) from centre of penalty area (12 yards), save (caught) by Joe Murphy (Coventry).
44:24Shot by Andrey Arshavin (Arsenal) left-footed from right channel (20 yards), blocked by Reece Brown (Coventry).
43:23Foul by Francis Coquelin (Arsenal) on Stephen Elliott (Coventry). Free kick taken right-footed by Reece Brown (Coventry) from right channel, resulting in open play.
42:53Shot by Ignasi Miquel (Arsenal) overhead kick left-footed from centre of penalty area (12 yards), missed right.
41:53Foul by Jordan Clarke (Coventry) on Olivier Giroud (Arsenal). Free kick crossed right-footed by Theo Walcott (Arsenal) from left wing, resulting in open play.
41:39Defending throw-in by Jordan Clarke (Coventry).
40:31Foul by Gary McSheffrey (Coventry) on Martin Angha (Arsenal). Free kick taken right-footed by Theo Walcott (Arsenal) from right wing, passed.
38:39Assist (pass) by Francis Coquelin (Arsenal) from left channel.
38:39 Goal scoredGoal! - Olivier Giroud - Arsenal 1 - 0 Coventry Goal by Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) left-footed (bottom-right of goal) from centre of penalty area (12 yards).Arsenal 1-0 Coventry.
38:21Defending throw-in by Martin Angha (Arsenal).
36:19Defending throw-in by Martin Angha (Arsenal).
35:39Defending throw-in by Jordan Clarke (Coventry).
34:55Shot by Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) right-footed from right channel (20 yards), save (caught) by Joe Murphy (Coventry).
33:45Attacking throw-in by Jordan Clarke (Coventry).
33:21Goal kick taken short by Joe Murphy (Coventry).
32:57Attacking throw-in by Clarindo Andre Santos (Arsenal).
32:34Attacking throw-in by Gary McSheffrey (Coventry).
31:55Goal kick taken long by Joe Murphy (Coventry).
31:37Shot by Martin Angha (Arsenal) left-footed from right channel (20 yards), over the bar.
31:00Goal kick taken short by Damian Martinez (Arsenal).
29:39Foul by Ignasi Miquel (Arsenal) on Gary McSheffrey (Coventry). Free kick taken left-footed by Carl Baker (Coventry) from right channel, header by Richard Wood (Coventry) from centre of penalty area (12 yards), over the bar.
29:23Attacking throw-in by Jamie Reckord (Coventry).
29:00Goal kick taken long by Joe Murphy (Coventry).
28:04Defending throw-in by Martin Angha (Arsenal).
27:32Cross by Nico Yennaris (Arsenal), save (caught) by Joe Murphy (Coventry).
26:58Attacking throw-in by Clarindo Andre Santos (Arsenal).
25:19Goal kick taken long by Joe Murphy (Coventry).
25:01Cross by Andrey Arshavin (Arsenal), resulting in ball out of play.
24:29Corner from left by-line taken short right-footed by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal).
24:02Goal kick taken long by Joe Murphy (Coventry).
22:56Defending throw-in by Jamie Reckord (Coventry).
22:10Goal kick taken long by Damian Martinez (Arsenal).
21:40Shot by Adam Barton (Coventry) left-footed from right channel (30 yards), over the bar.
21:17Defending throw-in by Jamie Reckord (Coventry).
20:36Defending throw-in by Martin Angha (Arsenal).
20:06Stephen Elliott (Coventry) caught offside. Free kick taken right-footed by Damian Martinez (Arsenal) from own half, passed.
18:29Foul by Adam Barton (Coventry) on Andrey Arshavin (Arsenal). Free kick taken right-footed by Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) from own half, passed.
17:27Goal kick taken long by Joe Murphy (Coventry).
16:31Attacking throw-in by Jordan Clarke (Coventry).
15:54Defending throw-in by Jordan Clarke (Coventry).
15:14Attacking throw-in by Martin Angha (Arsenal).
13:43Foul by Carl Baker (Coventry) on Francis Coquelin (Arsenal). Free kick taken left-footed by Clarindo Andre Santos (Arsenal) from own half, passed.
12:51Attacking throw-in by Martin Angha (Arsenal).
12:33Attacking throw-in by Martin Angha (Arsenal).
12:09Foul by Gary McSheffrey (Coventry) on Andrey Arshavin (Arsenal). Free kick taken left-footed by Andrey Arshavin (Arsenal) from right channel, passed.
10:41Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) caught offside. Free kick taken left-footed by Reece Brown (Coventry) from own half, passed.
9:52Gary McSheffrey (Coventry) caught offside. Free kick taken right-footed by Johan Djourou (Arsenal) from own half, passed.
9:39Defending throw-in by Jamie Reckord (Coventry).
9:06Goal kick taken long by Damian Martinez (Arsenal).
8:35Header by Stephen Elliott (Coventry) from right side of six-yard box (6 yards), missed right.
7:17Attacking throw-in by Clarindo Andre Santos (Arsenal).
6:15Gary McSheffrey (Coventry) caught offside. Free kick taken right-footed by Damian Martinez (Arsenal) from own half, passed.
5:41Goal kick taken short by Joe Murphy (Coventry).
5:32Defending throw-in by Jordan Clarke (Coventry).
4:34Foul by Carl Baker (Coventry) on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal). Free kick taken left-footed by Clarindo Andre Santos (Arsenal) from own half, passed.
3:33Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) caught offside. Free kick taken left-footed by Richard Wood (Coventry) from own half, passed.
2:46Defending throw-in by Martin Angha (Arsenal).
1:57Attacking throw-in by Martin Angha (Arsenal).
1:05Goal kick taken long by Joe Murphy (Coventry).
0:00The referee starts the match.
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