It took just two minutes for Arsenal to break the deadlock, when Calum Chambers cross to Walcott after a powerful run down the right wing, and Walcott's close control and quick finish beat David Stockdale.
Ozil then made it two when Santi Cazorla had time and space to slip him through, and the German coolly converted.
In the second half, Laurent Koscielny's woeful clearance fell to Chris O'Grady, who slammed in a shot at the near post to pull a goal back after just five minutes. Less than 10 minutes later, Tomas Rosicky's brilliant volley restored Arsenal's two-goal cushion.
With a quarter of an hour remaining, Sam Baldock pulled one back with a good finish. Arsenal were able to hold on, and were the more likely of the two sides to score again.
KEY EVENTS
2' - GOAL! Brighton 0-1 Arsenal. Walcott scores - Chambers does well to burst down the right and beat his marker. He pulls the ball back to Walcott, and he controls the ball before sending it past Stockdale.
24' - GOAL! Brighton 0-2 Arsenal. Ozil scores - Rosicky slips a pass into Ozil, just inside the box, and he drives a shot past the keeper.
29' - KOSCIELNY MISTAKE - Koscieny fails to clear the ball when he has plenty of time, and Baldock flashes a shot just wide of goal.
50' - GOAL! Brighton 1-2 Arsenal. O'Grady scores - Koscielny batters the ball across the box, straight to O'Grady, and Flamini puts in a weak challenge. He cuts inside and drills a low shot in the near corner.
59' - GOAL! Brighton 1-3 Arsenal. Rosicky scores - Giroud dinks a ball for Rosicky, and he cuts across the ball to slice a fierce shot into the goal.
75'' - GOAL! Brighton 2-3 Arsenal. Baldock scores - Koscielny plays Baldock onside with a curved run into the box, and he cleverly finishes past Szczesny.
84' - SANCHEZ FREE KICK - Free kick for Arsenal 25 yards out, and Sanchez skims the bar after the ball flicks off O'Grady's head.
KEY STATS
Arsenal have conceded exactly two goals in six of their last seven FA Cup matches away from home (including games at Wembley).
Arsenal have drawn Brighton five times in the FA Cup winning all five matches.
Brighton have only lost two of the last 13 FA Cup home matches: 2-3 versus Arsenal in January 2013, and 2-3 in this game.
TALKING POINT
Gabriel cannot play soon enough. Laurent Koscielny is feted by Arsenal almost as many times as he makes crucial errors. He could have been responsible for three Brighton goals today, and was rarely reliable or commanding. If Arsenal want to progress in the league and be more secure in defence, he should be dropped for the new signing.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Tomas Rosicky (Arsenal): If he were younger, then Theo Walcott and Mesut Ozil would have to fear for their place. He is currently in the best form of his life and it is only his injury record that has prevented him from achieving more at a richer club than Arsenal. Arsenal can be grateful for that, as it means they still have hold of him to create chances in an improving side.
PLAYER RATINGS
Brighton: Stockdale 6, Saltor 5, Greer 6, Dunk 6, Calderon 6, Forster-Caskey 6, Holla 6, Ince 5, Bennett 5, Baldock 6, O'Grady 6. Subs: Colunga 6, March 6.
Arsenal:
Szczesny 6, Gibbs 6, Chambers 6,
Monreal 6, Koscielny 5, Rosicky 8, Flamini 5, Ramsey 6, Ozil 6, Walcott 6,
Giroud 7. Subs: Sanchez 7, Coquelin 6, Akpom 6.
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