Familiar foes Arsenal and Hull City once again faced off in the Emirates FA Cup in what was their third meeting in the last three seasons, most notably the 2014 final which Arsenal came back to win 3-2 after going 2-0 down inside 8 minutes.
The Gunners, aiming to be the only team in 130 years to win a hat-trick of FA Cups hosted Championship leaders Hull City, who are prioritizing a return to the Premier League after being relegated at the end of last season.
Arsene Wenger, in charge of his 100th FA Cup match, rested key members of his first team with an eye on fixtures against Barcelona and Manchester United.
However, what Arsenal have, is yet another fixture after a spirited Hull defended for dear life and earned a replay at their home ground. Arsenal had plenty of chances on goal, but the luck that favoured them in their last-gasp win over Leicester last weekend eluded them today.
Hull’s backup goalkeeper put in the performance of his life as he plucked saves from thin air, but in the end, it would be unfair to say that Hull did not deserve the replay. Here are the player ratings.
Arsenal
David Ospina – 6/10
Ospina finally got to start a game but had little to do as Hull were pressed into their own half for most of the time.
Calum Chambers – 6.5/10
The former Southampton man, who was brought on for 45 minutes against Leicester last weekend, started in place of the superb Hector Bellerin who deserved a rest ahead of tricky fixtures. Chambers, who scored a marvelous goal in Arsenal’s 4th round fixture against Burnley, was once again superb in attack and gritty in defence.
Laurent Koscielny – 7/10
Despite Hull barely having any notable attacks, Koscielny showed just why he is one of the best defenders in the league, nipping any danger in the bud.
Per Mertesacker – 7/10
BFG will have a major role to play when Arsenal host Barcelona this Tuesday. Mertesacker had little to do at the back, and instead, was often seen in advanced role trying to help his team in their search for the go-ahead goal.
Kieran Gibbs – 6.5/10
Gibbs, who has found playing time hard to come by, put in a decent performance against a dogged Hull side.
Mohamed Elneny – 7.5/10
Arsenal’s only outfield signing of the year was their most lively man on the pitch today. Ever open for a pass from his teammates, Elneny was threatening in attack and won plenty of aerial duels in defence.
Mathieu Flamini – 7/10
The Frenchman, along with Tomas Rosicky and Mikel Arteta, seems to be on the way out once their contracts expire at the end of the season. However, Flamini can still do a job for Arsenal, and for the value he brings to the team and the camaraderie he shares with star man Mesut Ozil, he seems to have made a good case for an extension.
Theo Walcott – 7/10
Arsenal’s longest serving squad member has not found his early season form again, but scored the crucial equalizing goal against Leicester in their last game. His main weapon, pace, was blunted as Hull sat deep inside their own half, but Walcott put in a solid performance, drifting centrally and creating chances for teammates.
Alex Iwobi – 7/10
The youngster is definitely one to keep an eye on for the future, with his probing runs and dribbling causing all sorts of problems for Hull’s backline. He had a great shot that crept just wide.
Joel Campbell – 7/10
The Costa Rican international has once again found playing time hard to come by with the return of Chamberlain and Welbeck, but he once again proved to be a valuable asset to the team. Sharp in attack and eager in defence, he should have handed Arsenal the winner with a stinging free-kick that was pushed wide by Jakupovic.
Danny Welbeck – 7/10
Welbeck was handed his first start of the season after a fairytale goal on his return last weekend. He put in a good performance today but Arsenal could not find a way through Hull.
Substitutes:
Alexi Sanchez - 6/10
Wenger would not have wanted to use his ace for this match, but his hand was forced after 70 minutes in the face of a gritty Hull performance. But Alexis was unable to spark a victory today. He has been off-form for far too long, and Wenger desperately needs him to be back to his best for the visit to his old team, Barcelona.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 6/10
The youngster once again fluffed his lines when he was presented with a wonderful chance to seal the game for his team.
Olivier Giroud – 6/10
It’s been a while since Giroud scored for Arsenal, and the suave Frenchman was unable to send Arsenal through to the next round.
Hull City
Eldin Jakupovic – 9/10
A simply unbelievable performance from Hull’s second choice keeper, who pulled off blinding saves after saves to keep the Tigers in the hunt for a spot in the next round.
Curtis Davies – 7/10
He scored in the 2014 FA Cup final to send his side 2-0 up against the Gunners, and the experienced man put in a shift to help his team keep a clean sheet.
Alex Bruce – 7/10
He was the heart of a three-man backline and he put in a sterling display against a dangerous Arsenal attack. He was very lucky to not have conceded a penalty for a handball inside the box, which went unspotted by the referees.
Harry Maguire – 6.5/10
His highlight of the match came in the opposite box, where a nifty piece of a skill from the tall lad roasted Joel Campbell, only for him to end it in a cynical dive and find his name in the referee’s book.
Ahmed Elmohamady – 6.5 /10
Elneny’s compatriot and an international teammate put in an enterprising performance and looked to get forward whenever Hull broke away in a rare attack.
Shaun Maloney – 6/10
The Irish international returned from injury to play his first game since December, and he put in a disciplined performance in the midfield, dropping into defence more often than not.
David Meyler – 6/10
Hull’s captain squandered a glorious chance to put his team in the lead with their only shot on target in the game.
Ryan Taylor – 6/10
The midfielder did his bit to keep Arsenal under wraps for the match.
Josh Tymon – 6.5/10
The sixteen-year-old was not even born when Arsene Wenger lifted his first FA Cup with Arsenal and was taken off after a brave performance.
Nick Powell – 5.5/10
On loan United prospect Nick Powell would have done little to please United faithful when he admitted having missed their midweek defeat to Midtjylland in favour of playing FIFA. Steve Bruce gave him a chance today as he looked to rest key players, and after a good first half, Powell fizzled out in the second half.
Adama Diomande – 6/10
Hull’s only attacking outlet was always going to struggle for service, but he kept harrying Koscielny and Mertesacker whenever he could.
Substitutes:
Tom Huddlestone – 5.5/10
He was afforded a rest by his manager but was brought on with the intent of snatching a surprise goal for his team with Arsenal unable to push through for a goal. He had negligible attacking impact on the game.
Moses Odubajo – 6/10
He replaced the young Tymon and proved to be a better match for the pace of Walcott.
Sone Aluko - 6/10
The Nigerian midfielder was brought on in the dying minutes, and he had one good chance but was ruled offside.
