In their opening game of 2015, Arsenal were upset as they lost 2–0 to Southampton away from home. However, three days later, Arsenal bounced back in their FA Cup third-round game, beating Hull 2–0 at the Emirates — a repeat of the 2014 FA Cup Final from last season. Per Mertesacker rose high to head in Alexis Sánchez's corner and Sánchez, himself, scored the second goal, thus progressing to the fourth round of the FA Cup as they hope to defend their FA Cup title from last year. On 11 January, Arsenal played their next league game which was at home to Stoke. Arsenal won 3–0 with Sánchez being involved in all three goals, assisting Laurent Koscielny's header and scoring the two remaining goals to seal a comfortable victory. The match itself saw decent performances from Arsenal players who were used successfully for experimentation such as Francis Coquelin, Héctor Bellerín and goalkeeper David Ospina who would take over as Arsenal's Premier League first choice keeper for the rest of the season. The match also saw Mesut Özil coming on as a 72nd-minute substitute, having returned from his injury.