Giroud's brace helps Arsenal beat Middlesbrough 2-0 to reach FA Cup quarters

French striker Olivier Giroud's brace helped FA Cup holders end Middlesbrough's impressive run in the competition and make it to the quarterfinals.

Santi Cazorla split the away side's defence with a through ball for Kieran Gibbs, who squared for Giroud to steer home the opener. The Frenchman then doubled the lead within two minutes of his opener, with a delightful volley at Middlesbrough's near post after slack defending from a corner.

Spanish striker Kike headed against the post late on but Middlesbrough created little, the BBC reported.

Arsenal, who ended a nine-year trophy drought by winning the FA Cup last season, move into the draw for the last eight as one of five Premier League teams, with League One Preston hosting Manchester United on Monday.

Championship Middlesbrough went into the game on the back of six consecutive wins, their best run for 20 years.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said that they started well, with a good pace and controlled the game with their movement and technical quality. He added that his side had good team focus overall, insisting that they maybe lost their cohesion a little bit at 2-0 but he is happy.

Wenger claimed that overall they were serious and focused over the whole game.

Meanwhile, Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka said that it is difficult to play against Arsenal and if one concedes goals at set pieces, and if one makes mistakes, it is more difficult.