Arsene Wenger singled out Olivier Giroud for individual praise after he netted both goals in Arsenal's 2-0 win over Middlesbrough.

The Frenchman scored twice in three first-half minutes to seal the Gunners' progression into the last eight of the FA Cup.

"Olivier Giroud was very sharp. He has improved a lot compared to the player he was when we he arrived here," Wenger told BBC Sport.

"He is mobile, technically good, and he works with great focus in training. He has become a top player."

The Gunners boss also praised his side's overall performance as they made Manchester City's tormentors look ordinary at the Emirates.

"We started well with a good pace and we controlled the game well with our movement and technical quality," Wenger added.

In pictures - Arsenal 2-0 Middlesbrough:

"We had good team focus overall, we maybe lost our cohesion a little bit at 2-0 but I am happy. Overall we were serious and focused over the whole game.

"We had a good day but Middlesbrough are a good side, it was important for us not to let them come back to 2-1 because they are good technically and are organised, they are a good team.

Giroud in the FA Cup

11

Games

7

Goals

4

Assists

Opta

Wenger was also pleased with the performance of January signing Gabriel Paulista.

He said: "Gabriel Paulista made a great recovery tackle in the box. He wants to defend, he has good urgency levels and a good physique and technical qualities.

"He is short language-wise but the intelligent players compensate with vision. He looks at what his partners are doing, and he did that well."

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