A repeat of the Wembley showpiece last May at the home of the defending champions, this tie had everyone expecting a lot: revenge, entertainment, goals! But most importantly for Arsenal it was the return of Theo Walcott starting for the first time in exactly a year. Also fringe players like Joel Campbell got an opportunity to play in front of a packed crowd. Coquelin started for his 3rd game in a row while Alexis started upfront again. Bellerin started at RB and Chambers at CB.
The first chance of the match fell to Joel Campbell who played a neat one-two with Sanchez and was through on goal but ended up hitting straight at the keeper. Alexis was the next one with an over ambitious lob after having his first attempt blocked. The way the match was going you had the feeling this could be an Arsenal rout. But Hull had a decent attempt next when Ince avoided a sandwich from Monreal and Campbell before slicing his attempt just wide. Ospina showed some authority in dealing with the threats early on. Arsenal got a goal immediately after Sanchez put in a corner and BFG headed in. Yes this is not a joke. Mertesacker scored and it was from a corner, I repeat a corner. It was his first goal since he saved our ass at Wembley in the semi's against Wigan. Soon after Rosicky put in Sanchez who had his attempt cleared off the line by Quinn. It was the end of a very dominant half for Arsenal but it seemed like same old, same old. The nervousness could be felt inside the stadium with the lack of a 2nd goal.
The 2nd half continued in same fashion as the first but slowly Arsenal's speed and tempo dropped giving Hull a little bit for impetus. The impressive Campbell had a chance created by Cazorla but missed the opportunity. A fantastic tackle by Maguire put off Alexis soon after. But Theo should have done better after being put through by Sanchez but given his lack of game time it was understandable he missed when clean on goal. Alexis then scored what we are getting accustomed to expecting now, a wonderful low finish to the bottom corner and Arsenal led 2-0. Chamberlain who was on for Walcott was presented with a wonderful opportunity late on by some silky work by Sanchez but a last ditch deflection took the ball away from him. None the less we are through to the next round as we nervously await our opponents. Up the Arsenal.
PLAYER RATINGS
13: David Ospina (7): Not really tested by Hull attack but was commanding when ever called upon.
39: Hector Bellerin (7): Initially looked kind of nervous with a few wayward passes but got into the game later and used his pace well to get up and down. Did some impressive dribbling and helped in attack.
4: Per Mertesacker (8): A goal from a corner and some vital interceptions. Being very inconsistent this season, hopefully he plays more of the same.
21: Calum Chambers (7): Did OK. Was not tested too much but did not seem out of place where he did seem while playing DM last time around.
18: Nacho Monreal (7): Played in his favoured LB role and performed decently. Seems to be putting on a fight to be the first choice LB.
34: Francis Coquelin (8): Made so many interceptions I lost track. I had spoken before about internal solutions to playing DM and I had pointed how impressive he was on his break through season. He got to play in the DM role in the absence of Flamini and he showed he is a much better option than Flamini. Maybe some game time at Charlton has helped him. Put a couple of wayward passes and also a terrible tackle in the end but barring that an excellent game overall.
7: Thomas Rosicky (7.5): Seems like an 18 year old wanting to prove a point. Fantastic player. Him and Alexis together press so much that defenders will never want the ball played to them. Made some driving runs also causing a lot of problems.
19: Santi Cazorla (7.5): Has a great understanding with Alexis and got another assist.
28: Joel Campbell (7.5): Worked his ass off with some impressive defensive work. Showed how keen he is to play. But he could have done better offensively. Although we as fans should understand his rustiness due to a lack of game time.
14: Theo Walcott (6.5): He needs time to get the flow back. None the less made some superb runs and understanding with Sanchez. The goals will come.
17: Alexis Sanchez (8.5): A goal and an assist. Fantastic player. Thank you Liverpool and Barca.
SUBSTITUTES:
15: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (6.5): Looked to be injured at the end.
Other substitutes were Chuba Akpom and Maitland-Niles both of whom hardly had a touch of the ball.
The first chance of the match fell to Joel Campbell who played a neat one-two with Sanchez and was through on goal but ended up hitting straight at the keeper. Alexis was the next one with an over ambitious lob after having his first attempt blocked. The way the match was going you had the feeling this could be an Arsenal rout. But Hull had a decent attempt next when Ince avoided a sandwich from Monreal and Campbell before slicing his attempt just wide. Ospina showed some authority in dealing with the threats early on. Arsenal got a goal immediately after Sanchez put in a corner and BFG headed in. Yes this is not a joke. Mertesacker scored and it was from a corner, I repeat a corner. It was his first goal since he saved our ass at Wembley in the semi's against Wigan. Soon after Rosicky put in Sanchez who had his attempt cleared off the line by Quinn. It was the end of a very dominant half for Arsenal but it seemed like same old, same old. The nervousness could be felt inside the stadium with the lack of a 2nd goal.
The 2nd half continued in same fashion as the first but slowly Arsenal's speed and tempo dropped giving Hull a little bit for impetus. The impressive Campbell had a chance created by Cazorla but missed the opportunity. A fantastic tackle by Maguire put off Alexis soon after. But Theo should have done better after being put through by Sanchez but given his lack of game time it was understandable he missed when clean on goal. Alexis then scored what we are getting accustomed to expecting now, a wonderful low finish to the bottom corner and Arsenal led 2-0. Chamberlain who was on for Walcott was presented with a wonderful opportunity late on by some silky work by Sanchez but a last ditch deflection took the ball away from him. None the less we are through to the next round as we nervously await our opponents. Up the Arsenal.
PLAYER RATINGS
13: David Ospina (7): Not really tested by Hull attack but was commanding when ever called upon.
39: Hector Bellerin (7): Initially looked kind of nervous with a few wayward passes but got into the game later and used his pace well to get up and down. Did some impressive dribbling and helped in attack.
4: Per Mertesacker (8): A goal from a corner and some vital interceptions. Being very inconsistent this season, hopefully he plays more of the same.
21: Calum Chambers (7): Did OK. Was not tested too much but did not seem out of place where he did seem while playing DM last time around.
18: Nacho Monreal (7): Played in his favoured LB role and performed decently. Seems to be putting on a fight to be the first choice LB.
34: Francis Coquelin (8): Made so many interceptions I lost track. I had spoken before about internal solutions to playing DM and I had pointed how impressive he was on his break through season. He got to play in the DM role in the absence of Flamini and he showed he is a much better option than Flamini. Maybe some game time at Charlton has helped him. Put a couple of wayward passes and also a terrible tackle in the end but barring that an excellent game overall.
7: Thomas Rosicky (7.5): Seems like an 18 year old wanting to prove a point. Fantastic player. Him and Alexis together press so much that defenders will never want the ball played to them. Made some driving runs also causing a lot of problems.
19: Santi Cazorla (7.5): Has a great understanding with Alexis and got another assist.
28: Joel Campbell (7.5): Worked his ass off with some impressive defensive work. Showed how keen he is to play. But he could have done better offensively. Although we as fans should understand his rustiness due to a lack of game time.
14: Theo Walcott (6.5): He needs time to get the flow back. None the less made some superb runs and understanding with Sanchez. The goals will come.
17: Alexis Sanchez (8.5): A goal and an assist. Fantastic player. Thank you Liverpool and Barca.
SUBSTITUTES:
15: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (6.5): Looked to be injured at the end.
Other substitutes were Chuba Akpom and Maitland-Niles both of whom hardly had a touch of the ball.