Arsenal 6 Coventry 1:ARSENAL EASED into the next round after a searing second-half display. The home side made a slow start to the game but took the lead six minutes before half-time as summer signing Olivier Giroud scored his first goal for the club.

The former Montpellier striker endured a mixed evening as he missed a second-half penalty before the game was wrapped up courtesy of a superb strike from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Andrey Arshavin and Ignasi Miquel also struck with a Theo Walcott brace while Callum Ball scored Coventry’s consolation.

Giroud gave the Gunners the lead on 39 minutes as he beat the offside trap and chipped over the onrushing Joe Murphy. He then had a penalty saved on 50 minutes but Arsenal doubled their lead moments later courtesy of a rasping effort from Oxlade-Chamberlain. The third goal followed soon after as Arshavin scored on his first start of the season.

Arsenal made it 4-0 through Walcott before Ball reduced the deficit to 4-1. Miquel added a fifth before Walcott scored Arsenal’s sixth with a smart finish.

ARSENAL: Martinez, Yennaris, Djourou, Miquel, Andre Santos, Angha, Walcott, Coquelin (Frimpong 72), Oxlade-Chamberlain (Gnabry 72), Giroud (Chamakh 72), Arshavin. Subs not used: Shea, Squillaci, Bellerin, Eisfeld.

COVENTRY: Murphy, Clarke, Wood, Brown, Reckord, Bailey, Barton, McSheffrey, Moussa (Fleck 60), Baker, Elliott (Ball 69). Subs Not Used: Dunn, Hussey, McDonald, Edjenguele, Daniels. Booked: Brown.

Referee: M Jones (Cheshire).