Brighton v Arsenal

Brighton 2

Barnes 33′ Ulloa 62′

Arsenal 3

Giroud 16′, 56′ Walcott 85′

FT 90 +4
HT 1-1

Theo Walcott (right) scores his side's winner

By Phil McNulty Chief football writer at the Amex Stadium

Theo Walcott's deflected late winner settled a pulsating encounter and sent Arsenal into the FA Cup fifth round at the expense of battling Brighton.

Gus Poyet's Championship side demonstrated exactly why they are play-off contenders as they pushed Arsenal every inch of the way before finally being beaten by substitute Walcott's strike five minutes from time.

Arsenal led twice through Olivier Giroud but in a thunderous atmosphere Brighton bounced back and looked to have secured at least a replay with goals from Ashley Barnes and £2m Argentine striker Leonardo Ulloa on his debut.

Super Giroud

Olivier Giroud has scored six goals in his last eight games (in all competitions) for Arsenal, including four in his last two.

Arsene Wenger sent on Walcott and Jack Wilshere in the second half to give Arsenal extra thrust and control.

And it was Walcott who answered his manager's call with a volley from the edge of the area after Brighton goalkeeper Casper Ankergren punched a corner out to the edge of the area.

This was the toughest of examinations for Arsenal - who are seeking their first trophy in eight years - and Wenger's delight at the final whistle was clear evidence of his relief and pleasure at negotiating it safely.

Brighton celebrate the 30th anniversary of reaching the FA Cup final against Manchester United - which they lost after a replay - this year and the old competition certainly stirred the emotions as the stadium crackled with noise and fervour throughout.

Mighty Gunners

Arsenal are unbeaten in 34 games against lower ranked sides in the FA Cup (since 0-1 defeat at Sheffield United in 1996).

Arsenal's visit drew a record crowd to The Amex - but they did not see Wilshere, Walcott and Santi Cazorla from the start as they were left on the bench.

Brighton have proved in the past they are undaunted by visitors from the Premier League. And so it proved again as they created the first clear opening, only for Barnes to miscue his volley and allow Wojciech Szczesny to save.

It was punished instantly as Arsenal swept to the other end to take the lead after 16 minutes, Giroud measuring a perfect left-foot finish high past Ankergren from 20 yards.

To Brighton's credit, they were not knocked out of their stride by the goal and applied pressure to Arsenal's struggling left-back Andre Santos as he battled to contain the lively Will Buckley.

Brighton, who had replaced injured captain Gordon Greer with Gary Dicker, drew level after 33 minutes as Barnes made amends for his earlier miss by beating Szczesny to David Lopez's cross to head in.

It was no more than they deserved, although they suffered another injury blow as the influential Buckley was replaced by Kazenga LuaLua at the start of the second half.

Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play.

Arsenal opened with greater intent after the restart, with Lukas Podolski striking the bar from a free-kick, but it proved to be a temporary reprieve as the dangerous Giroud showed held off Adam El-Abd to sweep a finish past Ankergren from close range after 56 minutes.

In a thrilling game, Brighton once more showed their strength of character to draw level six minutes later. Arsenal's slack defending left manager Wenger infuriated on the sidelines as Ulloa stooped to send a diving header past Szczesny from Barnes's cross.

Wenger decided it was time to send on Wilshere and Walcott for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Tomas Rosicky but it was Giroud who remained the danger man. He had already forced an important block from Ankergren then volleyed into the ground and just over as the game entered the final phase.

The decisive moment came when Ankergren's punch landed at the feet of Walcott on the edge of the area and his volley glanced off El-Abd into the net in front of Arsenal's ecstatic travelling support.

Lineup, Bookings (3) & Substitutions (6)

Brighton & Hove Albion

16 Ankergren
03 Greer (Dicker - 37' )
06 El-Abd
14 Calderon
28 Bridge
04 Hammond
21 David Lopez Booked
26 Bridcutt
30 Buckley (LuaLua - 46' )
09 Barnes
19 Ulloa (Mackail-Smith - 73' )

Substitutes

29 Kuszczak
22 Painter
11 Orlandi
15 Vicente
18 Dicker
25 LuaLua
12 Mackail-Smith

Arsenal

01 Szczesny
04 Mertesacker
06 Koscielny
11 Santos (Gibbs - 78' )
25 Jenkinson
02 Diaby
07 Rosicky (Wilshere - 68' )
15 Oxlade-Chamberlain (Walcott - 68' )
16 Ramsey Booked
09 Podolski
12 Giroud Booked

Substitutes

24 Mannone
03 Sagna
28 Gibbs
10 Wilshere
14 Walcott
19 Cazorla
23 Arshavin

Ref: Oliver

Att: 27,113

Match Stats

Possession 41 59

Shots

5 12

On target

3 6

Corners

2 15

Fouls

9 10

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +3:40 Full time

Full Time The match has reached full-time.

90:00 +3:33

Theo Walcott decides to take a short corner.

90:00 +2:15

Kieran Gibbs concedes a free kick for a foul on Liam Bridcutt. Direct free kick taken by Inigo Calderon.

89:48

Shot from close in by Craig Mackail-Smith misses to the left of the target.

87:59

Corner taken left-footed by Jack Wilshere from the right by-line, Laurent Koscielny has shot on goal from just outside the area which goes wide of the right-hand upright.

87:28

Short corner taken by Jack Wilshere from the right by-line.

87:19

Theo Walcott takes a shot. Casper Ankergren makes a save.

84:25 Goal scored

Goal - Theo Walcott - Brighton 2 - 3 Arsenal Theo Walcott gets on the score sheet with a goal from just outside the box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Brighton 2-3 Arsenal.

83:54

Corner from the right by-line taken by Jack Wilshere, save by Casper Ankergren.

82:31

Aaron Ramsey concedes a free kick for a foul on Kazenga LuaLua. Direct free kick taken by Wayne Bridge.

81:23

Olivier Giroud produces a left-footed shot from inside the area that clears the crossbar.

77:47 Substitution

Substitution (Arsenal) makes a substitution, with Kieran Gibbs coming on for Clarindo Andre Santos.

76:43

The referee blows for offside against Ashley Barnes. Per Mertesacker takes the indirect free kick.

74:30

Corner taken by Jack Wilshere from the right by-line played to the near post, Craig Mackail-Smith makes a clearance.

74:07

Jack Wilshere takes a inswinging corner from the right by-line played to the near post, clearance by Craig Mackail-Smith.

72:18

Direct effort from the free kick comes in from Olivier Giroud.

72:18 Substitution

Substitution Craig Mackail-Smith on for Jose Ulloa.

72:18

Ashley Barnes gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Laurent Koscielny.

71:36

Outswinging corner taken by Theo Walcott, Ashley Barnes manages to make a clearance.

67:42

Direct free kick taken by Wayne Bridge.

67:42 Substitution

Substitution Jack Wilshere on for Tomas Rosicky.

67:42 Substitution

Substitution Theo Walcott is brought on as a substitute for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

67:42

Foul by Carl Jenkinson on Kazenga LuaLua, free kick awarded.

65:39

Free kick taken by Moreno David Lopez.

65:39 Booking

Booking Aaron Ramsey is cautioned by the ref for unsporting behaviour.

65:34

Kazenga LuaLua fouled by Aaron Ramsey, the ref awards a free kick.

62:55

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain takes the inswinging corner, clearance by Adam El-Abd.

61:22

The assist for the goal came from Ashley Barnes.

61:22 Goal scored

Goal - Jose Ulloa - Brighton 2 - 2 Arsenal Jose Ulloa finds the net with a headed goal from inside the area. Brighton 2-2 Arsenal.

61:20

The ball is crossed by Ashley Barnes,

59:38

Olivier Giroud takes a shot. Save by Casper Ankergren.

58:06

Kazenga LuaLua fouled by Aaron Ramsey, the ref awards a free kick. Casper Ankergren takes the direct free kick.

56:31 Booking

Booking Caution for Olivier Giroud.

55:33

Vassiriki Diaby provided the assist for the goal.

55:33 Goal scored

Goal - Olivier Giroud - Brighton 1 - 2 Arsenal Olivier Giroud finds the net with a goal from inside the six-yard box low into the middle of the goal. Brighton 1-2 Arsenal.