What goalscorer Sokratis Papastathopoulos said about Arsenal's victory over Portsmouth

The Gunners ended Kenny Jackett’s side run in the FA Cup with a 2-0 fifth-round win last night.

The Blues proved valiant opponents for the Premier League side, but their quality ultimately came through.

Sokratis opened the scoring in first-half stoppage-time before Eddie Nketiah doubled the lead six minutes into the second half.

Arsenal were licking their wounds after being dumped out of the Europa League by Olympiakos at the last-32 stage last week.

And Sokratis was pleased the Gunners avoided an upset against Pompey.

The defender said: ‘We were serious for the game and didn’t give space to the opposition.

‘It was important we won because what happened in the Europa League was bad for us and especially for me.

‘This game was very important for me. Olympiacos also played well and they won, but that is football.

‘Monday was a good response and now we have to push on in the league as well.

‘It’s results that give you confidence back. When you have three competitions to fight in, and last year you got to the final in one, it’s hard.

‘The manager said to us that this game is finished and we have to look forward, so it was a good response.’