Arsenal v Hull City - FA Cup Final Preview

This is a huge match for Arsenal Football Club. Denied a trophy for nearly a decade thanks at least partly to the spending of Chelsea and then Manchester City, Arsenal have a serious opportunity to finally end their drought with this cup final against very beatable opposition. Should they fail to do so then this could be a thoroughly unsatisfactory swansong for the outstanding managerial career of Arsene Wenger, at least in the Premier League.

Many Gooners already want Wenger out, and while the Frenchman undoubtedly retains the support of the majority of Arsenal fans, it is debatable whether this would still be the case should Arsenal lose here to Hull City. Although Wenger has stated that he will stay whatever occurs, and the veteran manager will receive a great deal of support from the Arsenal board, it will be nothing short of a disaster for his standing at the club, and possibly his managerial legacy, should Arsenal lose this one.

Having said that, Wenger will go into the game with some confidence, particularly as Arsenal gave Hull a bit of a walloping just a couple of weeks ago in the league. Furthermore, the two forwards that Hull signed in January who have made such a difference to their successful league campaign, Jelavic and Long, will not be available for this final.

But the unfashionable northern club have still managed to plot a route to the final without their star strikers, so it’s hard to write them off completely. Unquestionably the Gunners will be an extremely strong favourite for this match, but the history of the FA Cup is replete with examples of teams upsets and victories by underdogs, and there have been stranger ones than Hull coming out on top. Indeed, although Arsenal won 3-0 at Hull just a couple of weeks ago, the Tigers looked more than a match for them for the first half an hour, and the scoreline ultimately flattered Arsenal.

That said, all of the quality in this match is on the Gunnners’ side of the field. Particularly in midfield, Arsenal have so many fantastic ballplayers, and there will be real competition for places in this key area of the field now that the likes of key players Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil have returned.

Arsenal are sure to feel the pressure of the occasion to a certain extent, given that they have had such a barren trophyless period of late. One feels that if Arsenal either fall behind or fail to break the deadlock for a long time then it could be a very difficult game for them.

But the Gunners obviously have the classier players, beat Hull home and away in the league, and have more big game experience. They have enough knowhow and enough class in the centre of the park to control the game, and I expect the Gunners to win a tense encounter, ultimately with some comfort.

Safe Bet – Arsenal to win (1/2 with SkyBet), Value Bet – Arsenal to win by 2 goals (7/2 with SkyBet)

Go To bet365

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12/05/2014     © Frixo 2026