For Wenger
desperately close to opening the scoring in the 30th minute when Meyler hit a vicious left- foot shot which drew a brilliant one- handed save from David Ospina, low to his right.
Moments later, Mertesacker was forced off and replaced by Nacho Monreal with Walcott taking the armband.
Hull had the momentum but then disaster struck as the interval approached when successful outcome.” Byrne added: “I did not understand that Mr Johnson intended to change his plea at trial, or at all. I was astounded when he did plead guilty.”
A club statement said: “Sunderland acknowledge that Margaret’s intentions have always been to act in the best interests of the club.
“However, it has become clear through our own internal investigations that in this instance, decisions Meyler carelessly attempted a backpass across his own six- yard box, allowing Giroud to score.
Hull pressed hard for an equaliser after the break and Ramsey, who replaced the injured Gabriel, headed inches past his own goal. With 19 minutes remaining, Giroud rifl ed home a right- foot volley from a left- wing cross. Walcott put a real gloss on the night have been taken by Margaret in error.
“Whilst swift and decisive action was taken to terminate Mr Johnson’s employment upon his guilty plea, decisions taken prior to this, including the decision not to suspend him for a second time pending the outcome of the trial, were wrong.”
Johnson is awaiting sentence, having been warned he faces up to 10 years in prison. with two late strikes, leaving a relieved Wenger with just those injuries to worry about.
HULL
( 3- 5- 2): Booked: ARSENAL
( 4- 2- 3- 1):
Goals:
forced off with a thigh strain. After ending a fi ve- match winless run, Wenger said of the criticism: “It’s not disappointing for me because I do my job.
“If you look at the history of the club, you will see that I have nothing to be scared of. I don’t care and I do not want to speak about it [ the criticism] because it’s always the same story.
“I told you before, sometimes the press conferences are very boring and this is enough now. Do you know anyone who has won the FA Cup more than me?
“You judge a season after it has ended and I’m quite amazed that some people have judged it so early. We will give absolutely everything because we have not given up and you will see that in the coming weeks.”
Mertesacker was forced off with a cut eye in the fi rst half and Gabriel and Ramsey followed him in the second period.
When asked about the defensive crisis, Wenger added: “We lost two centre- backs in the game and that’s not easy to cope with. But Ramsey’s thigh injury looks the most serious.”
Giroud ended his 11- game goal drought and celebrated his opening strike with team- mates as if he was cradling a baby.
Wenger said: “Giroud became a father of a young boy last night, so that gave him some euphoria, and it was good for Walcott to score as well.”
Arsenal have not lost in the FA Cup since February 2013 and Hull boss Steve Bruce said: “Arsene Wenger has been immense for the last 20 years.
“If these idiots want to change then they might come to rue that, but he’s a very experienced man and we’re talking about one of the greats here.”