FA Cup 2016/17: Arsenal 5-0 Lincoln City, 5 talking points

Modified Mar 12, 2017 04:14 GMT

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 11: Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal (R) celebrates scoring his sides fourth goal with Kieran Gibbs of Arsenal (C) during The Emirates FA Cup Quarter-Final match between Arsenal and Lincoln City at Emirates Stadium on March 11, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images) — Kieran Gibbs and Alexis Sanchez celebrate their side’s fourth goal against Lincoln

#2 Arsenal’s starting XI

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 11: Samuel Habergham of Lincoln City battles with Theo Walcott of Arsenal during The Emirates FA Cup Quarter-Final match between Arsenal and Lincoln City at Emirates Stadium on March 11, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images) — Theo Walcott (left) scored his fifth FA Cup goal this season

The FA Cup is the only trophy Arsenal have a realistic chance of getting their hands on and Arsene Wenger treated their game against the Imps as such. It was apparent the Frenchman was taking the non-league side very seriously after he announced a strong side going into the game. Wenger took no chances and played the very best of what was available to him in an effort to qualify to the next round.

However, he did make two alterations to the side from midweek. Petr Cech was back in the side after being benched for their Champions League game against Bayern Munich and Nacho Monreal was replaced by Kieran Gibbs. Neither did Wenger entertain any ideas of leaving Alexis Sanchez or Olivier Giroud on the bench.

Both men started the game and even got on the scoreboard like they were expected to. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain started ahead of a poorly performing Mesut Ozil but had to be substituted for the German in the first half after he picked up an injury.

Edited by Staff Editor