Good afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for the penultimate FA Cup tie of the fifth round as holders Arsenal host Middlesbrough at the Emirates Stadium. Both sides come into the match having enjoyed a good run of results recently and confidence will be high in each camp that they can progress into the quarter-finals this afternoon, so we should have an intriguing match on our hands. Let's start with a look at the hosts...

Having already seen a number of big teams crash out of this competition, Arsenal find themselves as the favourites to go all the way to Wembley once again this season and make it back-to-back FA Cup successes having not won a trophy for nine years before that. The Gunners are still likely to face stiff competition from the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United, but there were a few more surprise results yesterday and it has certainly opened up for Arsene Wenger's side this season.

It would be interesting to learn where on Wenger's list of priorities the FA Cup lies right now. The pressure to win a trophy was lifted somewhat by their success last season and you'd have to think that gaining a place in the top four would be their priority again this time around, but the club have a rich history in this competition and will be desperate to make it to Wembley once again. They have also been handed a fairly kind draw in the Champions League, which starts again next week, so there is plenty for Wenger to consider at the moment.

The challenge for a spot in the top four will take up the majority of his thinking, however, with Arsenal involved in a fiercely-contested battle in the Premier League. The likes of Spurs and Liverpool have both been in fine form in recent weeks and are really pushing for a Champions League place, while Manchester United and surprise candidates Southampton aren't showing many signs of slipping up either. It promises to be a thrilling race that will go right to the death.

While Liverpool and Spurs are amongst the most in-form teams in the league right now, Arsenal have also started to hit their stride at the right time in order to keep themselves in the mix. They come into this match having won six of their last seven outings in all competitions, while they have only lost two of their last 13 - a run that includes 10 victories and stretches back to the start of December.

However, those defeats were damaging ones for the Gunners, coming against Southampton and North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, both of whom are pushing hard for a Champions League place themselves. The concern for Wenger will be the failure to beat the teams around them in the table - despite their recent victory over Manchester City - but in general they deal with games against so-called lesser opposition well, which should stand them in good stead today.

One such match came against bottom-of-the-table Leicester in the Premier League on Tuesday and, while the Gunners weren't entirely convincing in their 2-1 victory, the result was the most important thing. Arsenal got straight back to winning ways following their derby defeat to Spurs and, while they were tested on a few occasions by the Foxes, they ground out a result that moved them back above Tottenham in the league table and to within one point of the top four.

That result came at the Emirates, where Arsenal have been in fine form recently. They have won their last eight home matches in all competitions and have only been beaten twice in front of their own fans in almost a year now. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of that form has been their defensive record, with only three goals having been let in during the last eight matches. Their home record in the FA Cup is even better, with just one defeat and 30 wins in their last 40 cup outings here.

A big task awaits Middlesbrough, then, but they will be full of confidence themselves for a number of reasons. Chief among them is the fact that they knocked Manchester City out in the last round with a shock 2-0 victory at the Etihad, a result that also went a long way to proving their Premier League credentials should they gain promotion this season. Bradford City rather stole their thunder by beating Chelsea on the same day, but Boro certainly played their part on a memorable FA Cup weekend.

Aitor Karanka's side will also be full of confidence given their league form, however. Boro were knocked off top spot in the Championship by Bournemouth's 1-1 draw with Huddersfield yesterday but now find themselves level on points with the Cherries with a game in hand. They look well placed to gain promotion back to the top flight and, while it is a tight battle with Derby County also involved, Boro are certainly amongst the favourites to go up this season.

Like Arsenal, then, Middlesbrough have a number of goals this season that they will have to prioritise. The victory over City would have made the FA Cup an even more desirable and attainable ambition for the club, but there is no doubt that they league will be at the forefront of Karanka's mind. A run to Wembley would be a big achievement for a club like Middlesbrough, but at the very least the cup is giving them a chance to test themselves against teams they may be coming up against in the league next season.

It is in defence that Boro have really shone this season, with their back line providing the basis for their fine run of form. They have conceded just 20 goals in their 30 league outings this season - comfortably the best away record in the division - while they have also kept seven clean sheets and conceded just three goals in their last 10 games. Man City failed to find a way past them at the Etihad and Arsenal will have their work cut out to do so today.

Having said that, Boro did concede against lowly Blackpool on Tuesday in what many thought would be a comfortable three points for the high-flyers. Karanka's side did eventually come away with the win, but they were forced to work for it and needed an 88th-minute winner from Kike to scrape the 2-1 victory. All of the goals came in the last 10 minutes and, while it ultimately continued their winning streak, the performance wasn't exactly ideal ahead of this match.

Still, the result is the most important thing when you're chasing a title, and Boro's victory made it six in a row in all competitions, a run that includes their win at the Etihad. They are unbeaten since before Christmas now, a streak of 10 matches, while their loss to Ipswich Town in December is the only time that they have lost a game in their last 19 outings. Away from home they are unbeaten in six, conceding just one goal and keeping five clean sheets in that time.

Their recent record against top-flight opposition leaves a bit to be desired, with only two wins from their last 12 FA Cup matches against Premier League sides. However, Karanka will take more from their two meetings against Premier League giants this season, when they beat Manchester City and took Liverpool all the way to a record-breaking penalty shootout in the League Cup.

TEAM NEWS: The teams are in for both sides, and the headline news is that Wenger has opted for a very attacking lineup, with Sanchez, Welbeck, Giroud and Ozil all starting for the hosts. Gabriel Paulista makes his debut at the back while Szczesny replaces Ospina in goal. Boro, meanwhile, are forced into a few changes but stick with Kike up front following his winner in midweek. Full teams for both sides coming up...

ARSENAL STARTING XI: Szczesny; Chambers, Gabriel, Koscielny, Gibbs; Flamini, Cazorla, Welbeck, Ozil, Alexis; Giroud

ARSENAL SUBS: Martinez, Mertesacker, Monreal, Rosicky, Walcott, Coquelin, Akpom

MIDDLESBROUGH STARTING XI: Mejias; Fredericks, Omeruo, Gibson, Friend; Leadbitter, Clayton, Adomah; Tomlin, Kike, Bamford

MIDDLESBROUGH SUBS: Ripley, Nsue, Husband, Vossen, Reach, Whitehead, Woodgate

What can we make of those two teams, then? Well, Wenger is clearly keen to go for the win today and he has named a strong starting XI, with Sanchez arguably the most notable inclusion. The Chilean was a doubt for today's game having picked up a knock during the win over Leicester, but he has recovered in time and is expected to feature on the wing behind Giroud in what is a very attacking side for the hosts.

It is something of a surprise to see Walcott left on the bench in such a game, but Wenger has opted for Sanchez and Welbeck as his two wide men having also recalled Giroud to the starting lineup. Ozil is expected to play in the hole behind the striker and the German will be keen to continue his fine recent form. He is starting to show something like his best performances for the first time in an Arsenal shirt and, while plenty of pace around him today, could have another big impact on this match.

The presence of Ozil in that number 10 role means that Cazorla will likely drop a little further back, acting as a deep-lying playmaker alongside Flamini. Cazorla has been in fine form recently and can be just as effective as Ozil when it comes to threading passes through, but most of his good work in the last few weeks has come in a more advanced position so it will be interesting to see how big a say he has on this game today.

At the back, Gabriel Paulista makes his debut for the club having joined in January, with Mertesacker the man to make way for the Brazilian. Chambers and Gibbs are also brought back into the starting lineup in a much-changed back five for the Gunners. Szczesny returns between the sticks in place of Ospina, and the Pole will be keen to show his best form as he looks to regain his starting spot in the team.

As for Boro, they start with Kike up front once again having seen him bag the winner at the weekend as well as the second goal in the victory over Manchester City last month. He can be a real threat if he gets into good positions and will be looking to combine with the likes of Tomlin and Bamford in order to test out debutant defender Gabriel Paulista, who shouldn't be expecting an easy time of things today.

Bamford, incidentally, got the first goal against Manchester City and has shown plenty of promising signs during his young career already. He isn't far away from making the step up to the Premier League and, while he may find it tough breaking into the first team at parent club Chelsea, there will be no shortage of teams willing to snap him up should he not make the grade at Stamford Bridge.

Boro also pose a goal threat from midfield, with Leadbitter in particular having found himself on the scoresheet a number of times already this season - albeit mainly from the penalty spot. Adomah was the man who missed the crucial penalty against Liverpool in the League Cup but he, along with the likes of Tomlin, posed the Reds problems in that match and there will be no danger of these Boro players being overawed by their trip to the Emirates today.

PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes away from kickoff here, which means that it is time for a prediction! Arsenal have been in stunning form at home in recent weeks, but Boro are also full of confidence so this one is quite a tricky one to call. The competition has opened up for the Gunners, though, and they usually tend to get the job done in these sorts of matches. I can see them doing so again today, so I'm going for a 2-0 home victory.

UPDATE: There is one other FA Cup match taking place at the moment and Bradford's fairytale cup run looks like continuing to the quarter-final stage. They have just doubled their lead over Premier League side Sunderland, with Jon Stead getting the goal to give the Bantams a 2-0 advantage at Valley Parade.

These two sides have met seven times in the FA Cup over the years, and unsurprisingly it is Arsenal who boast the better record from those fixtures. They have won five and lost two of the seven clashes, although Boro would have rarely been on a roll similar to the one they find themselves on going into today's match.

These two sides have not met since a Premier League game back in April 2009, and it was Arsenal who came out on top on that occasion. Cesc Fabregas scored both goals for the Gunners as they ran out 2-0 winners at the Emirates, a result that contributed to Boro's eventual relegation that season.

The players are out and we're just a couple of minutes away from kickoff here as Arsenal look to continue the defence of their FA Cup crown. They have lifted this trophy a record-equalling 11 times, with Wenger's personal five-trophy haul being second to only George Ramsay of Aston Villa in the long history of the competition.

KICKOFF: Arsenal get us underway in this fifth-round clash as they look to avoid becoming the latest casualty of a fascinating FA Cup season.

This match has started at a decent tempo, with Arsenal enjoying the majority of possession in the opening exchanges. Middlesbrough have stood firm so far, but they now face a free kick in a dangerous position...

SAVE! It is Cazorla who takes on the free kick duties and he curls a decent effort over the wall and towards the bottom corner. However, the keeper gets down well to make a decent stop, pushing the ball behind for a corner.

Arsenal have enjoyed steady pressure throughout this match so far, with Boro struggling to really get going yet. They have been forced onto the back foot and are doing a lot of defending right now.

The Gunners have had 82% of the ball in this opening eight minutes and they have been virtually camped in the Boro half for almost the entirety of that. It has been a very bright start from the hosts.

Again Arsenal come forward, switching the play from right to left in order to release Gibbs down the flank. He plays a low ball into a dangerous area, but it is gratefully cut out by the keeper.

Again Gibbs finds himself in an advanced position and he almost latches on to a Cazorla through-ball that would have left him with only the keeper to beat. However, Mejias is alert and quick off his line to snuff out the danger.

Fine piece of defending from Omeruo as he stops Sanchez in his tracks in the area. It was good work from Welbeck to create the chance with a backheel to Sanchez but, as the Chilean attempted to skip past the defender, Omeruo stood firm and made a good, solid challenge.

SAVE! Mejias is called into action once again as Giroud curls a decent effort towards the far corner from 25 yards. The keeper is fairly slow to get across and then palms it into a dangerous area, but Sanchez can only slam the rebound into the side-netting.

More nice football from Arsenal down the left, with Cazorla, Flamini and Ozil all combining. The latter skips away from a defender and gets a cross in, but Sanchez loses his footing and the ball travels through to safety.

The final ball is just missing for the Gunners at the moment. Again the build-up play is impressive here to leave Giroud with the ball 25 yards from goal, but his attempted through-ball to Welbeck is too heavy and runs into the keeper's arms.

Arsenal really have dominated the opening 20 minutes of this match. Middlesbrough have not been able to get anything going in an attacking sense and it looks like this will be a long afternoon for the Championship club.

UPDATE: The final whistle has been blown at Valley Parade and Bradford City of League One have booked their place in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. They have claimed another Premier League scalp in the shape of Sunderland, winning 2-0 to continue their fine cup run.

SAVE! Boro simply can't keep the ball here and they give it away in a dangerous position once again, allowing Giroud to turn and run at goal. He curls an effort from 25 yards, but it is straight at the keeper, who makes a routine stop.

Battling play from Tomlin as he throws himself into a couple of challenges, which is something Boro need to show a bit more of here. It has all been too comfortable for Arsenal so far and the visitors need to do something to get the Gunners out of their rhythm.

Arsenal finally find the breakthrough, and you have to say that it is deserved. It is a lovely move from the hosts as Sanchez and Welbeck combine to tee up Cazorla, who in turn picks out the overlapping run of Gibbs down the left channel. The full-back cuts the ball back for Giroud, who sweeps his shot home from close range to cap off a really good team goal.

Giroud and Arsenal have their second in as many minutes and, while the first was a fine team goal, this is a spectacular finish. Boro fall asleep at a corner and Arsenal take it quickly, with Giroud stealing a march on his marker before flicking a superb first-time volley past the keeper.

This was a potential banana skin for Arsenal, but they have dealt with the task incredibly well so far. They have been utterly dominant and thoroughly deserve their two-goal lead.

Arsenal are playing with a real swagger at the moment, with those quickfire goals giving them even more confidence. They look very capable of adding further to their lead before half time, and this could become damage limitation for Boro soon.

CHANCE! Decent chance for Arsenal as Sanchez bursts through on goal and just about beats the keeper to the ball inside the box. Mejias manages to make a good stop but the ball bounces back off Clayton and is heading in for an own goal before the Boro midfielder clears it away.

It has been a little better from Middlesbrough in the last five minutes or so. They are keeping the ball more effectively and are putting Arsenal under a bit of pressure in the final third as a result. It is a long way back for them, though.

To demonstrate Middlesbrough's improvement, they have had 62% of the ball in the last five minutes. If they can nick a goal back before the break then it could prove important, but they are yet to test Szczesny in the Arsenal net.

SAVE! Szczesny is tested for the first time tonight as Adomah carries the ball forward from midfield. He gets to the edge of the box and drills a low effort towards goal, but Szczesny is down quickly to make a fairly comfortable stop.

Arsenal have played some really nice football at time today, with Cazorla, Ozil and Sanchez all looking at their slick and stylish best. Wenger will be very pleased with what he has seen from his side so far.

Gabriel has not yet really been tested on his debut for the hosts. He has enjoyed a quiet game so far and this is turning out to be an ideal match to ease him into English football.

CHANCE! Half a chance for Arsenal as Welbeck takes the ball down in the area after Flamini's shot was blocked. The Arsenal striker beats one defender with his touch but the angle is against him and he slices his subsequent shot wide of the near post.

The first half comes to an end in North London and it was a very comfortable one for Arsenal. They have one foot in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup having scored two quick goals in the opening 45 minutes and, in truth, it could have been more. They have been dominant from start to finish and thoroughly deserve the lead.

It was Giroud who got both goals, and each one was an impressive strike for different reasons. The first saw the Frenchman finish off a fine team move, with Sanchez, Welbeck, Cazorla and Gibbs all involved in the build-up. It was Gibbs who provided the assist in the end, cutting a pass back for Giroud, who swept his finish home.

The second goal was all about Giroud's finish, however, as he stole a march on his marker to get on the end of a quick corner. The defending left a lot to be desired from Boro, but take nothing away from the strike. Giroud flicked a first-time volley past the keeper just a couple of minutes after giving Arsenal the lead to put the hosts in complete control.

The likes of Giroud, Welbeck and Sanchez have also had chances to extend the lead further and, while Arsenal haven't exactly been carving Boro open at will, they have looked very comfortable. The closest they came to a third goal actually came from Clayton as the ball hit him and was on the way in for an own goal, only for the Boro midfielder to get back and clear it.

Some of the football that Arsenal have played so far has been a joy to watch, with the likes of Cazorla, Sanchez and Ozil all playing with a good swagger. Gibbs has got forward a lot down the left flank as well, playing more like a left winger at times. It has been a very confident performance from Arsenal.

As for Middlesbrough, they have struggled to get anything going that can really test Arsenal. Adomah has had one shot that drew a save from Szczesny during a five-minute spell in which the visitors showed signs of improvement but, aside from that, they have got very little joy so far. They need to improve in the coming 45 minutes.

KICKOFF: Boro get us back underway for the second half here as they look to come up with a response and keep their FA Cup dream alive.

A bright start to the half from Boro almost ends with Arsenal scoring a third goal following a quick break. Sanchez, Ozil and Welbeck all threaten to steer a shot goalwards, but Boro just about survive.

Sanchez looks to provide a special third goal, but this is not one of his better effort. He lets fly from 25 yards but blazes his effort a long way off target.

SHOT! This time it is Flamini who goes for goal from distance having found himself in space around 25 yards out. He keeps his effort down, but drags the shot a few yards wide.

CHANCE! More lovely football from Arsenal as they come forward down the right channel this time. The ball is poked through for Welbeck but, with the angle against him, he dinks the ball into the middle rather than going for goal himself. There are no red shirts waiting to tuck it home, however, and the chance goes begging.

CHANCE! Another chance for Arsenal and again it comes from a good team move. Sanchez feeds a pass inside for Ozil, whose first touch takes him past his marker before seeing his effort stopped by Mejias.

MIDDLESBROUGH SUBS: The visitors need to change something and Karanka turns to his bench in an attempt to do just that. He makes a couple of changes, with Adam Reach and Jelle Vossen replacing Tomlin and Bamford.

YELLOW CARD! The first card of the game is shown to Gabriel, who just blocked off Reach as the Boro sub was bursting forward.

The resulting free kick is taken by Leadbitter, but his effort is a disappointing one. He fails to beat the wall and a decent position goes begging for the visitors.

Arsenal have quickly settled back into the rhythm in this second half. Boro came out of the break with a little more gusto and forward thrust, but Arsenal are looking very comfortable once again. It is hard to see them letting this one slip at the moment.

Gibbs has enjoyed a very good game today, carrying out his defensive duties when required but mostly posing an attacking threat down the left. The likes if Giroud, Ozil and Sanchez may hog most of the headlines, but Gibbs has certainly played his part in this performance.

The hosts have kept the ball so well today, while Boro's biggest problem is that they have been too sloppy in possession. They need to get hold of the ball for a spell now if they are to build any momentum.

CHANCE! Gibbs is again involved in the final third, finding himself as the furthest man forward following a Giroud through-ball. The angle is slightly against him, but he still draws a save out of the keeper to win a corner. The resulting delivery is met by Giroud, but his looping effort is easy for the keeper.

CHANCE! Superb goalkeeping from Mejias! A deep free kick is floated into the box and Sanchez flicks his header towards the bottom corner from close range. However, Mejias reacts brilliantly to make a fine stop, turning the ball round the post for a corner. Koscielny meets the resulting delivery, but can't keep his header down.

Middlesbrough have just over 20 minutes left to conjure something up here, but they have not shown many signs of testing Arsenal at all today. They haven't been able to build any momentum and something needs to change if they are to pull off an unlikely comeback.

Kike wins a free kick for his side right on the edge of shooting range, but Leadbitter instead chooses to float a cross into the middle. Boro win the initial header, but Arsenal cope with the second ball comfortably and clear the danger.

CHANCE! Important piece of defending from Fredericks as he thwarts a really good chance for Sanchez. The Chilean played a lovely one-two with Ozil to create the chance, but a heavy touch just allowed Fredericks to make a vital challenge.

ARSENAL SUBS: That will be Sanchez's last action as he makes way to be replaced by Tomas Rosicky. Theo Walcott also comes on for the final 18 minutes, taking Welbeck's place.

Arsenal's game management has been very impressive today. They have simply kept the ball away from Middlesbrough and have negotiated a potentially tricky tie with apparent ease.

SHOT! Arsenal get the chance to break from a Boro corner, with Cazorla, Giroud and Rosicky leading the charge. The latter cuts the ball back for Cazorla, whose powerful effort from the edge of the box flies over the top.

Arsene Wenger will be delighted with his side today. They came into this match off the back of two unconvincing performances against Spurs and Leicester, but this is as well as they have played for a long time. They have been so slick and classy in possession throughout.

Boro have 10 minutes left to come up with something different here. A goal in the next few minutes could make things interesting, but Szczesny has only had one fairly routine stop to make so far.

CHANCE! Almost a third goal for Arsenal as the ball break to Walcott in the box, and the sub steers his effort towards the top corner. However, Omeruo is well placed and makes an important clearance a few yards in front of his line.

ARSENAL SUB: The third and final change for Arsenal sees Giroud make way to be replaced by Chuba Akpom. No hat-trick for Giroud, then.

YELLOW CARD! Vossen goes into the book for a robust challenge on Cazorla in midfield which drew an angry reaction from the Spaniard. No complaints about that one.

SAVE! Ozil looks to get his own name on the scoresheet, picking the ball up on the right flank and cutting inside onto his dangerous left foot. He tries to drill an effort towards the near post, but Mejias has his angles right and makes a routine save.

CHANCE! Big chance for Arsenal to cap the win off! Rosicky threads a pass through for Walcott, who takes it in his stride really well to bear down on goal. He only has the keeper to beat, but his finish is weak and Mejias is able to make the save.

CLOSE! With 89 minutes on the clock, Boro have probably their best moment of the match. Some nice build-up play on the right sees the ball arrive at the feet of Adomah and he cuts inside before firing a good effort narrowly past the near post.

There will be three minutes of added time at the end of this match.

OFF THE POST! Middlesbrough are inches away from halving the deficit in the final minute of stoppage time! The ball is played into the box and Kike rises well to get a firm header towards the corner, but it comes back off the post and Arsenal's clean sheet remains intact.

Middlesbrough's late pressure comes to nothing as Arsenal comfortably see off the challenge of their Championship visitors to reach the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. The Gunners were in cruise control for long periods of that game and Giroud's brace in the first half was enough for them to progress.

Right, that is all we have time for this afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for what was a good day's work from Arsenal as they progress to the last eight of the FA Cup. I will leave you with our match report and be sure to stick around for reaction from both camps. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!