CITY’S STAND-IN SWISS ACE HAS THE ARSENAL WELL ELD!
Arsenal can’t get past City stopper
S TEVE Bruce hailed backup goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic after the Swiss stopper produced a string of world-class saves to keep Hull City in the FA Cup.
Jakupovic had a magnificent game for Bruce’s men, producing a string of fine stops throughout, none more so than a free-kick he pushed on to the post from Joel Campbell and a drive from Danny Welbeck after the break.
And the Tigers boss admitted he now has a tough decision to make as to who plays between the sticks on a regular basis at the KC Stadium.
Bruce said:“He has made things very tough for me – but I am delighted for him on a personal level.
“It is never easy being a number two at a football club but he has come in and made some very good saves and kept us in the cup for sure.
“I am certain he will remember this game for a long time to come.”
Bruce’s side now faces a battle in their bid to lift the Championship title as they must squeeze at least 16 matches into the final ten weeks of the campaign.
“We are talking 16 games in ten weeks and that is difficult for a club with our resources,” he added.
“But I am pleased our players got something from this game.We worked hard and really tried to win it in the final 25 minutes or so.”
Arsenal enjoyed pinging the ball around in their trademark style in the opening 15 minutes, with both Welbeck and Theo Walcott going close following slick moves.
The Gunners continued to twinkle-toe their way into great positions and Alex Iwobi curled a neat effort inches past the far post.
Shortly before the half-hour mark Jakupovic saved splendidly with his feet as Walcott fired goalwards from the angle.
At the other end, City’s best opportunities came from setpieces but the visitors could not force David Ospina into a save.
The hosts continued in attacking style after the break – Jakupovic getting down to make a sprawling save from Walcott after good work by Kieran Gibbs down the left.
But the shot-stopper’s finest save came on 52 minutes. Campbell’s 20-yard free-kick looked destined to creep into the bottom corner but Jakupovic somehow got a finger to it and deflected it onto the post.
And minutes later he was at it again, this time flying to his left to deny a fierce strike from the dangerous Welbeck.
Hull finally created a noteworthy chance of their own as a decent counter-attack culminated in David Meyler hitting the side-net- ting from a tight angle.
Arsene Wenger was desperate to win his 100th FA Cup tie in charge of the home club and he threw on Olivier Giroud, Alexis Sanchez and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in quick succession.
Substitute Sone Aluko introduced genuine pace and threat for Hull on the break and the striker had the ball in the net only to be flagged for offside, much to the relief of the home fans.
Arsenal pushed forward and
Oxlade-Chamberlain dragged horribly wide after Giroud did well to nod the ball back to him on the edge of the box.
Deep into injury time and that man Jakupovic was the hero again – this time beating away a goalbound Sanchez free-kick to ensure the Tigers clung on for a replay, with the Arsenal manager also shining the spotlight on the man between the sticks for Bruce’s side.
Wenger admitted: “It has to be said that Hull’s goalkeeper did very well and they defended well as a team too.
“The replay is not a nightmare. What would have been a nightmare is if we had lost.
“We had a lot of the ball and got in 20 shots on goal, so we must be more efficient in the final third.
“The team I put out was of quality so that is no excuse for us.
“I am not as relaxed as I look because I wanted to win this game of course.”