Arsenal had started winning games once again and the usual fourth spot seemed reachable. The Gunners had climbed to fifth spot in the table, having beaten their London rivals West Ham. A loss against Southampton once again undid so much good work. The worst part was that Arsenal had shot themselves in the foot again. This time, the blame lay at the feet (and hands) of Polish goalkeeper Wojiech Szczesny. His manager’s facial expressions on the sidelines really said it all. For the upcoming FA Cup clash against Hull City, David Ospina will take over in goal. It remains to be seen whether Arsene Wenger is simply giving the substitute keeper a shot in goal or whether Szczesny is being displaced.
Arsenal’s injury list remains lengthy. Mesut Özil, Jack Wilshere, the perennially injured Abou Diaby, young striker Yaya Sanogo, Serge Gnabry and the experienced Mikel Arteta are all absent and hence, unavailable for this one. Olivier Giroud’s ill-timed head-butt against QPR means he remains suspended. Danny Welbeck and Aaron Ramsey are both doubtful. Lukas Podolski is set to be missing from the roster for the next six months after completing a loan move to Inter Milan. Some believe Wenger should have had more faith in him while others believe it was right for him to move on. For the away side, Andrew Robertson, Robert Snodgrass, Mohammed Diame and Michael Dawson are all injured. Gaston Ramirez is doubtful.
This match is of course a repeat of the 2014 FA Cup Final. Hull City went ahead by but Arsenal fought back to win the match, 3-2, in a thoroughly entertaining contest. That trophy was supposed to be the end of underachievement for Arsenal but, in truth, this season has not provided too many memorable moments for the Gunners. Their inconsistency has simply baffled everybody.
Who will win this crucial match? Interested in learning how you can watch the 2014-15 English FA Cup? Check out our FA Cup Page.
Arsenal vs. Hull City team sheets
Arsenal starting XI: Ospina, Bellerin, Chambers, Mertesacker, Monreal, Coquelin, Rosicky, Cazorla, Walcott, Campbell, Alexis
Arsenal bench: Martinez, Debuchy, Koscielny, Zelalem, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Maitland-Niles, Akpom
Hull City starting XI: Harper; McShane, Davies, Maguire, Figueroa; Huddlestone, Quinn, Ince, Brady; Aluko, Sagbo
Match details, result and original broadcast info
This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
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