FA Cup: Wasteful Gunners Held By Hull

Arsenal failed to capitalise on their territorial advantage as they were left frustrated after playing out a 0-0 draw against Hull City in the fifth round of the FA Cup at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Ahead of a crucial Champions League meeting with Barcelona, the Gunners who dominated most of the game, were met with continued resistance from goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic.

The draw means, Wenger’s side will travel to the KC Stadium in Hull for an FA Cup replay game, amidst a busy fixture schedule.

The Gunners travel to Manchester United and Tottenham, have a home game against Swansea, and the Champions League double fixture against Barcelona before the quarter-finals in three weeks’ time.

Steve Bruce’s side now have the opportunity to avenge their 2014 FA Cup final defeat by Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal, on the other hand, the Gunner’s retain hope of becoming the first team to win three consecutive FA Cups since Blackburn Rovers accomplished the feat 130 years ago.

“The replay is not especially good news but Hull defended very well,” Wenger, who managed his 100th FA Cup game as Arsenal boss, told BT Sport after the game.

“We were not incisive or accurate enough in our passing in the final third. As long as they did not concede, they maintained with how they played. We had 20 shots, 70% possession, but no goals.

“I cannot influence the referee’s decisions, only the technical quality of my team. If we have no injuries, we can cope with the fixtures.

“I think FA Cup replays is a particularity of the English rules and you have to respect that.”

Hull manager Steve Bruce: “I don’t know when we’re going to play the replay. That’s added to the fixture pile-up we’ve got.

“We made 10 changes and we rode our luck a bit, but the team deserved it for the spirit and the 100% effort they gave.

“It bodes well when I see the strength in depth we’ve got, because we’re going to need it.

“Josh Tymon didn’t look out of his depth and it’s great to see someone from the academy, from Hull, come in and wear the shirt.”

Arsenal host Barcelona in the Champions League last-16 tie, on Tuesday night, while Hull travel to Ipswich on Tuesday and then host Sheffield Wednesday on Friday in the Championship.