Arsenal strolled into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup yesterday with a powerful attacking display which ended Middlesbrough’s dreams of another giant-killing.

The Teessiders, second in the Championship, had come to north London having knocked out Manchester City in the previous round but in truth they were never allowed to get close to repeating that performance against Arsene Wenger’s men.

Arsenal got into their stride from the off, with Santi Cazorla testing goalkeeper Tomas Mejias from a free-kick and Olivier Giroud having a curling effort saved after a series of sweet, sharp passes from the Gunners’ midfield.

Middlesbrough in all of this looked steady enough but simply unable to play the ball as much in the opposition half as they would have wished. That much was evident from the way boss Aitor Karanka set about prowling the touchline.

The breakthrough came on 27 minutes after another patient build-up. Kieran Gibbs was left in space wide on the left to calmly centre to Giroud who found the bottom left-hand corner from inside the box.

Two minutes later the French striker had his and Arsenal’s second. From an in-swinging Sanchez cross Giroud volleyed home with his instep — a moment of sublime technique.

Boro continued to try to make a fight of things but had to wait until the 38th minute for their first effort on goal when Albert Adomah forced Wojciech Szczesny into a low save.

Mezut Ozil, Mathieu Flamini and Gibbs all had efforts for the FA Cup holders at the start of the second half while debutant Gabriel received a yellow for cynically stopping Boro substitute Adam Reach.

Mejias produced a world-class save in the away goal shortly after the hour, clawing away a Sanchez header with his fingertips. He was on hand again in the closing minutes to tip an effort from sub Theo Walcott around the post.

Kike clattered the post with a header right at the death but it was all too little too late for the Teessiders on an afternoon in which they were simply outplayed by a dominant Arsenal.