Redemption
Doubles from Giroud and Walcott see Gunners home
NAPOLEON famously responded to being criticised for winning battles simply because of luck by saying he would rather have lucky generals than good ones.
Well, that analogy felt entirely apt last night as his compatriot Olivier Giroud enjoyed a huge slice of good fortune when under- fire Arsene Wenger needed it most.
In a match that Wenger simply had to win after going five games without one, Frenchman Giroud set Arsenal on the road to victory with a goal they did not deserve.
Four minutes before halftime, Hull skipper David Meyler found himself in possession in the left- hand corner after an Arsenal attack came to nothing.
Meyler had time and space to clear his lines but inexplicably played an awful backpass across the face of Hull’s six- yard box.
Giroud, back in the side in one of six changes, had the simple task of sweeping the ball past Hull goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic, keeping Arsenal on course for a third FA Cup triumph in as many seasons.
Giroud doubled Arsenal’s advantage with a cool finish in the 71st minute before Theo Walcott stuck the knife into Hull twice more with a late double.
A banner unfurled in the away end at the fi nal whistle read ‘ Arsene – Thanks for the memories but it’s time to say goodbye’ suggested it will take far more than this for Wenger to win over his growing band of detractors.
You had to sympathise with Hull, who had been the better side in the opening 40 minutes, as they lost to Arsenal in the famous old competition for the third year running. Certainly it was not a vintage display from Arsenal.
Then again, with his team eight points off the title pace and almost certainly facing a Champions League exit at the hands of Barcelona next week, Wenger will take this.
There were major injury concerns, however, as captain Per Mertesacker went off in the first half before Gabriel Paulista and midfi elder Aaron Ramsey were also replaced in the second half.
A freezing night in Hull can test the soul, but ultimately Arsenal’s class told as they moved serenely towards a home quarter- fi nal date with Watford on Sunday.
Wenger’s aristocrats popped the ball around with a swagger early on, which suggested a long night ahead for Hull but, with former Tottenham midfi elder Tom Huddlestone prominent, they steadied themselves in impressive fashion.
The Tigers are on course to achieve Premier League promotion for the third time in eight years and this game was not a top priority for them.
Mertesacker clashed heads with Hull striker Nick Powell inside the opening quarter, necessitating treatment for both men. Hull came