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Arsenal v Hull: FA Cup Preview, Team News, Line-Up + Prediction
The day has finally arrived; it’s FA Cup final time as Arsenal take on Hull City at Wembley this evening, kicking off at 5pm.
The nerves really kicked in yesterday and I’m sure I won’t be the only one who will be absolutely bricking it later on today.
This game is simply HUGE. The trophy drought has lasted long enough and it’s imperative we get some silverware under our belts. To lose tonight would be a hammer blow to the confidence of the squad and the effects could be long lasting.
It took some of the players a long time to get over the Birmingham defeat in 2011 and it would be far worse if we fail this time around. On the flip side, an FA Cup win could be the catalyst to greater things and really get that winning mentality back in the squad.
We’ve had a tough road to get to this stage after being drawn to play Tottenham, Liverpool and Everton before facing last years winners Wigan in the semi finals. That game should be the only warning we need that you can take nothing for granted in football and the players should know it’s not going to be a walk over today.
Hull are a tough side and Steve Bruce will have them well organised, so we may need to be patient and not try and force things. We have the better players and as long as we don’t do anything stupid at the back, then our quality should come through in the end.
Team News
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Thomas Vermaelen are our only injury doubts for the game and the pair will face late fitness tests. The Ox is still struggling with the groin injury that’s hampered him since the semi final while Vermaelen has had five stitches in a cut to his knee. Both players trained yesterday so I expect them to be passed fit but they’ll most likely be on the bench.
Jack Wilshere is also expected to be among the subs as he’s only played 30 minutes since returning from a foot injury, but Kieran Gibbs is set to start at left-back after coming through his return game last week unscathed.
Arsene Wenger has a big decision to make over who will start in goal. Lukasz Fabianski has played in all the previous rounds and is expected to keep his place this evening, but I’d prefer Szczesny to start. We have to play our best team and Wojciech is our No.1.
There is also a debate over who will start up front as Yaya Sanogo has started in the previous three FA Cup games including the semi final, but I think the boss will start Giroud in a game of this magnitude.
Preferred Line-Up
So my team would be:
Prediction
It’s a cup final and anything can happen, as has been proved several times before. We’re in for a difficult night’s work against Hull, make no mistake. However, we’ve been very good at beating the ‘lesser’ teams this season and have already beaten Hull 2-0 and 3-0 in our league fixtures, so I think we’ll get the job done tonight.
Arsenal 2-1 Hull COYG!!!!!
What are your thoughts ahead of the game? Nervous? Will we lift the cup?
peter
May 17, 2014 at 11:28 am
Arsenal 3 hull city 0
Ezekiel
May 17, 2014 at 12:04 pm
Arsenal 2: 0 Hull city
Cucumber
May 17, 2014 at 12:08 pm
Arsenal 3 vs 1 Hull
Centiano
May 17, 2014 at 12:12 pm
I am rooting for Arsenal to beat Hull City 6 :0. We are going to win this trophy in style. Backing Giroud, Podolski, Ramsey, Ozil for Goals.
Adeniran a adeola
May 17, 2014 at 12:33 pm
I’m quite sure its going 2 be easy as people think, but, at all cost, Arsenal is winning by 2-0 margin
amalonye kingsley
May 17, 2014 at 12:54 pm
Arsanel will win hull city 3 0 gunners 4life
Adim emmanuel
May 17, 2014 at 12:58 pm
Am a good arsenal fan and am backing arsenal to lift the cup, I know it not gonna be easy. Arsenal 1 – 0 hull city
Nick Donald
May 17, 2014 at 12:59 pm
Arsenal 2 Hull 0
bigsy
May 17, 2014 at 1:07 pm
I think Fabianski should play as Szczensy has a habit of getting sent off in big games.
also I think the OX should play, he is fast and gives 110% everytime.
Why have you not put Flammini in the squad? he has been the difference in the team this year since returning, He is a far better player than Arteta, Arteta looses the ball to much in midfield, Flammini also gives 110% every game he plays.
KALONDE LMECK
May 17, 2014 at 1:10 pm
iam happy that we arsenal winning the FA cup by 3-1.
robert
May 17, 2014 at 1:15 pm
up the gunners!!!!!!!!
2-0 for the gunners
Guyo tedecha
May 17, 2014 at 1:21 pm
Arsenal will win the match by 4 to 1
Ayelotiti mudashir
May 17, 2014 at 1:23 pm
Arsenal 2-0 Hull city
bukky
May 17, 2014 at 1:28 pm
Arsenal 3 vs 0 Hull
Kiyaga nasif
May 17, 2014 at 2:12 pm
Arsenal wl win the game &the tro en fabianski will be the goal keeper ars 4-0 hull
oluwaseun
May 17, 2014 at 2:13 pm
GOD HELP US O
gekas
May 17, 2014 at 2:18 pm
Arsenal 5: 1 Hull city Ozil 2 ramsey 1, carzola 1, giroud 1 by nodin
Adeyemi Ajayi
May 17, 2014 at 3:11 pm
UpUpUpUpUP GunNers Common guys we are the Championssssss
ABU PIRESS
May 17, 2014 at 3:12 pm
Arsenal 3 Hull City 0
thaiwoh
May 17, 2014 at 3:24 pm
Arsenal 3 hull city 1
Abdul-Jamil
May 17, 2014 at 4:28 pm
Arnenal will win d game cos 4 pass years Arsenal are hungry 4 lipting a troophy
henrymore
May 17, 2014 at 4:51 pm
arsenal will humble them with 3- O. up gunners
Kipkirui peter
May 17, 2014 at 7:15 pm
Arsenal wil win 3-2.The Gunners have an history of winning the late evening games.juu juu juu,,,Gunners
Kipkirui peter
May 17, 2014 at 7:19 pm
Arsenal wil win 3-2.The Gunners have an history of winning the late evening games.juu juu juu,,,Gunnerssss