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Never, in what Brighton might style the Nomad Years, when they had to call Gillingham a home or play at Steve Ovett's track, could the club have imagined a day like this.
Having 27,000 fans in the stylish Amex Stadium is one thing; going head to head with Arsenal and pushing them to their last reserves is quite another.
Brighton confirmed what has become increasingly apparent in the past few years: they are not just a team on the rise but a club in the ascendancy under Gus Poyet and owner Tony Bloom.
Winner: Walcott is mobbed after scoring Arsenal's third
Match facts
Brighton: Ankergren, Calderon, El-Abd, Bridge, Greer (Dicker 37), David Lopez, Bridcutt, Hammond, Barnes, Ulloa (Mackail-Smith 73), Buckley (LuaLua 46).
Subs not used: Kuszczak, Orlandi, Vicente, Painter.
Booked: David Lopez.
Goal: Barnes 33, Ulloa 62.
Arsenal: Szczesny, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Andre Santos (Gibbs 78), Koscielny, Diaby, Rosicky (Wilshere 68), Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlain (Walcott 68), Giroud, Podolski.
Subs not used: Mannone, Sagna, Cazorla, Arshavin.
Booked: Ramsey, Giroud.
Goal: Giroud 16, 56, Walcott 85.
Referee: Michael Oliver (Northumberland)
Attendance: 27,113.
That Arsenal had to reach out to Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott and Keiran Gibbs in the final quarter, despite an excellent display from Olivier Giroud, told its own story.
'I was worried about the last half an hour,' admitted Poyet. 'I knew that if we were still in the game they were coming in. Our players had been fighting for their lives for 70 minutes and then Wilshere is coming, nice and fresh, and Theo Walcott starts sprinting on the side. We're lucky that Santi Cazorla didn't come on as well. I would have shot him from the side!'
Brighton had heroes aplenty, notably Ashley Barnes, Liam Bridcutt and Argentine debutant Leo Ulloa. T
hey did more than battle; at times they passed as well as Arsenal do.
All they lacked was a result at the end of it all.
'It's a funny feeling, said Poyet. 'We are more disappointed than we should be. In the dressing room it's as though we lost a final. And I think we competed very well. We were in the game all the time and we had a great chance to do something special.'
That they didn't was largely due to Giroud, Wilshere and Walcott, the latter two arriving like the cavalry in the final 20 minutes.
Opener: Giroud (second left) had put Arsenal in front
Perhaps Arsenal are developing some mettle, though there were still familiar frailties on display yesterday, notably Andre Santos, who was appalling.
And having made six changes from the 5-1 win over West Ham, Wenger was well aware of the risk he was taking.
Barnestormer: Ashley Barnes' header cancelled Giroud's early goal
'Yes of course we were concerned with 30 minutes to go,' he said. 'That's a gamble we take and you know it can backfire. Brighton play great football and you could see why they knocked Newcastle out. They had a great spirit today and they gave us many problems.'
On the plus side, there was Giroud. 'He was outstanding,' said Poyet. 'He was stronger than us, he was powerful, technically better and it was very difficult for us.'
Full house: Brighton played in front of a packed Amex Stadium
His opener came immediately after Brighton had missed the first clear opportunity of the day, Wojciech Szczesny diving to his right to deny Barnes on 15 minutes.
Arsenal broke from the resulting corner, with Tomas Rosicky striding out to find Lukas Podolski, who stopped the ball for Giroud. The Frenchman's powerful, curling finish appeared to deflate any optimism. But Brighton rallied and soon Barnes had headed home David Lopez's corner.
Best bar none: Podolski hit the woodwork with a free-kick
Giroud's second, on 57 minutes, was a delight. Abou Diaby chipped in a superb pass which the Frenchman stretched to control and then finished on the ground as he fought off Adam El-Abd.
But again Brighton responded. Barnes crossed and Ulloa stooped to head home for the hosts.
Czech mate: Tomas Rosicky started fro Arsenal for the first time this season after returning from injury
The Amex Stadium roared, though the introductions of Wilshere and Walcott clearly made Brighton's hope a little more fragile.
Giroud went close with a free-kick, then had an acrobatic scissors kick blocked for a corner. Wilshere took it and Casper Ankergren punched it away - but only to Walcott, who calmly directed it goalwards, though it was El-Abd's deflection that was decisive.
Dream debut: Leonardo Ulloa celebrates scoring Brighton's second equaliser
It was hard to take.But then again, some perspective was required.
'It would be nice if every now and then someone could stop me, take a step back, look around where we are, where we were three years ago and what we've done,' said Poyet.
Job done: Arsenal are into the fifth round
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2268625/Brighton-2-Arsenal-3--match-report--FA-Cup-fifth-round.html#ixzz2J8wCg1TL
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