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.Arsenal FC progress through to the semi-final of the FA Cup as Olivier Giroud’s brace sinks Everton FC at the Emirates

The FA Cup has added importance for Arsenal now following their faltering title challenge and the uphill task that awaits them against Bayern Munich in the second leg of their Champions League round-of-16 tie, and they took a giant step in attaining cup glory once more as they defeated Everton in an entertaining encounter.

The Gunners have now knocked out Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Everton on their way to Wembley and Manchester City seems to be the only possible stumbling block in their effort to end their trophy drought. This was also a decent run in this tournament for Everton and now they must look to consolidate their place in the top seven of the Premier League.

The Gunners, who were under tremendous pressure to perform in this match following their disappointing loss at the hands of Stoke City in the last game, got off to a flying start as Santi Cazorla set up Mesut Ozil and the German international produced a quality finish past Joel Robles to provide the home side with the lead. This was an important goal for the midfielder who has received a lot of criticism recently.

Both the sides looked dangerous in attack as the match opened up. Finally it was Everton who scored the equalizer in the 32nd minute of the game as Romelu Lukaku scored his second goal in as many games since returning from injury. Arsenal were exposed on the break and Ross Barley produced a wonderful pass from the right wing towards to pick out Kevin Mirallas at the far post. The Belgium international set up Lukaku in front of an empty net with a cut back and the on loan Chelsea striker could hardly miss from there.

In the second half Arsenal took the lead once again as Gareth Barry brought down Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the box and Mikel Arteta converted the resultant penalty kick. But the Spaniard was asked to retake the spot-kick after Olivier Giroud was yellow carded for encroachment in the box before the kick was taken. But the former Everton man kept his calm once again and fired the ball into the top corner of the net to provide the lead back to the home side.

Giroud, who came on as a substitute in the second half, then scored a brace to put the game beyond doubts. The first of which arrived in the 83rd minute after Bacary Sagna picked him up with an accurate cut back from the by-line and the Frenchman provided the finishing touch at the near post. The second was created by two wonderful passes, first by Tomas Rosicky and then by Mesut Ozil to set up the striker, who sided footed the ball into the net. The score line in the end did seem to be a bit flattering as Everton missed a lot of chances of their own, but this win could be a massive confidence boost for the Gunners at this point of the season.

Arsene Wenger has hoped that this result can propel his side to greater things as they travel to Bayern Munich with a tough job at hand.

“It was important for us to win, to put us in a good mind on the psychological front. We can be inspired by our focus on the day, by our desire and go to Bayern with the same spirit.

“The statistics go against us when we go to Bayern, but let’s make sure that the performance goes for us. Then we have a chance.

“It was important for us to win, to put us in a good mind on the psychological front. We can be inspired by our focus on the day, by our desire and go to Bayern with the same spirit.

“The statistics go against us when we go to Bayern, but let’s make sure that the performance goes for us. Then we have a chance.” – The Arsenal manager said.

Wenger was also relieved to see Mesut Ozil producing a good performance in this game and insisted that he looked physically “regenerated” after his recent breaks.

“Of course it’s important for him he took his chance because sometimes you want him to take the chance because he always looks for the good pass.

“I hope that will encourage him. What I liked with him is that physically he looked regenerated, having more power in his runs.

“As well I liked that he did a lot of dirty work for a player like him, that means he tracked back in the first half – especially on the counter attack he came back with long runs.

“When he behaves like that of course you have a better chance to win the game.” – He added.

Arsene Wenger has been at Arsenal so long that the Gunners fans feel as if they know him inside out.

However, in truth, few fans will ever get to be face-to-face with the Arsenal manager. Every week, a select few journalists get the chance to pose questions to the erudite Frenchman. It's an opportunity that is unlikely to ever be afforded to most supporters.

If Arsenal fans were able to ask Arsene Wenger anything, what questions would they most want to hear answered? We've selected five for this article, but be sure to add your own in the comments below.

match against KCB played at Nyayo Stadium on February 19, 2014. Leopards want to withdraw their players from Harambee Stars squad set for a friendly match in Sudan ahead of their Caf Confederation Cup match against SuperSport United.   NATION

AFC Leopards administration is planning to officially request Football Kenya Federation to withdraw their players and coach from the national football team's camp.

Leopards have five players, including custodian Wycliffe Kasaya, defender James Situma, winger Paul Were, midfielder Peter Opiyo and lead striker Jacob Keli alongside coach James Nandwa - who doubles up as assistant coach called up to the Harambee Stars camp ahead of the team's International friendly away to Sudan on Wednesday.

The 2013 GOtv Shield Cup winners thus have no say on this matter especially considering the said match falls on the Fifa calendar match date, but with the club preparing for a crucial date against South African club SuperSport United in the return leg match of the Caf African Confederation Cup tie at the Nyayo Stadium this weekend, club CEO Richard Ekhalie exclusively told Nation Sport they are trying to reach a sort of arrangement with the national office.

"We will be reaching out to the federation in a short while to discuss out a way in which we can be of help to each other. Ideally, it will be better to have all our players preparing for the SuperSport game, and not to travel to Sudan," said Ekhalie.

CONTENT WITH DECISION

Gor Mahia, who have Musa Mohammed and Anthony Akumu called up to the Stars camp, meanwhile seem content with the decision.

"We have not received an official communication from the technical bench so as things stand our players will travel to Khartoum. But if you ask me, this friendly game, though coming within the FIFA date is ill-timed," the club's Secretary General Chris Omondi said.

Former Sunderland midfielder Jason McAteer hopes his old side playing at Wembley in the League Cup final can boost their league form.

Sunderland face Manchester City in the League Cup final at Wembley this afternoon in search of a first major honour since winning the FA Cup in 1973.

McAteer made 53 appearances for the Black Cats between 2001 and 2004 and he hopes that, win or lose, Sunderland playing in the League Cup can help boost their league form as they look to fight relegation from the Premier League.

Sunderland currently sit 18th in the Premier League but just one point adrift of West Brom in 17th with a game in hand.

The Black Cats haven't won in the league since beating Newcastle United 3-0 at St James' Park in the Tyne-Wear derby at the start of February, but have continued their run in the FA Cup after beating Southampton 1-0 in the fifth round of the competition.

Cup competitions have come as a welcome distraction from the club's dismal league form this season and, whether they come away winners or not at Wembley later today, McAteer hopes that Sunderland can use the experience to help their fight against relegation.

He wrote on his official Twitter account: “Whatever the result. Hope it inspires them (Sunderland) to kick on in the league an stay up.”

In 2011, Birmingham City famously shocked Arsenal to win the League Cup, but then suffered relegation to the Championship and just last season Wigan lifted the FA Cup, beating Man City in the final, and suffered the drop just days later.

Former Stationery Stores goalkeeper, Peter Rufai has expressed great delight at the comeback of the Lagos-based side to competitive league action.

The former Nigerian shot-stopper was among the appreciable supporters who witnessed the side's Nigeria National League (NNL) Division B Match day 3 encounter against rivals, 3SC on Thursday at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos. The Flaming Flamingoes won the grudge league tie 2-0.

Rufai, who was mostly excited to the reality that the Lagos darling team are back to league action, said the side could always get better as the season progresses.

"I'm overwhelmed seeing the team that propelled me to limelight back again to league action after several years of absence.

"Their performance against 3SC is okay but that's besides the point as I strongly believe it'll always get better as the team cement their foot in the league.

"Now I can comfortably go to sleep with both eyes closed confident that Stationery Stores are fully back to the league scene once again," said the former Nigerian star supersport.com.

Rufai said the side's stakeholders should close rank to ensure finance does not come in to hinder the club's campaign in the league.

"Nobody should make the mistake of setting title agenda for the side in the first year of their comeback onto the league scene but encourage the stabilisation of the side, first and foremost.

"Then concerted efforts must be made to see how to inject finance to strengthen every other aspect of the side," said Rufai.

Stores have picked five points from a possible nine in the three-week old Nigeria secondary league.

The side will be the guests of Mountain of Fire Ministries (MFM) in Sunday's Nigeria National League (NNL) Division B Match day tie at the Agege Township Stadium, Lagos.