Jakupovic stands tall as Arsene’s reserves stall
Stalemate at the Emirates creates replay no one wants
NEITHER manager wanted this. Nonetheless an FA Cup fifth-round replay awaits Arsenal and Hull following this goalless draw.
As if their schedules weren’t jammed-packed enough, they now face a supplementary game that — in truth — no one wants.
‘Look, there is nobody more traditionalist than me when it comes to the FA Cup but why can’t we just go to penalties? Why do we have to have a replay?’ asked Hull boss Steve Bruce.
‘Supporters have to find the money to support their team. In the past to win a European Cup you had to play six or seven games, now it’s 17.
‘We have to rearrange our game against Brentford (on March 8). When we rearrange that for, god only knows.
‘We will probably end up playing four games in seven or eight days and when you are going for a Championship, that’s not ideal.
‘We have 10 weeks left and we have 16 games to play, and we have a ludicrous international break in there when we have two weeks off.
‘I never thought I would be a moaning Minnie but when you look at it, for a club of our resources it is very difficult. But we’ll have to handle it.’
Bruce will, begrudgingly, congratulate goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic for booking the replay, his outstanding display keeping Arsenal at bay yesterday.
Arsenal threw the kitchen sink at the promotion chasers only to find the former Switzerland international shot-stopper having one of those afternoons.
Jakupovic’s heroics mean Arsene Wenger’s side now face an arduous trip to Humberside, likely to be sandwiched between vital Premier League clashes against Tottenham and West Bromwich Albion.
The Gunners boss tried to look at the bright side, however, despite the obvious headache of a replay.
‘Is the replay a nightmare? no. A nightmare would have been to go out,’ said Wenger.
‘It’s not what we wanted but to choose between a replay and going out, I am happy to have the replay.’
A total of 19 changes — 10 from Hull — told its own story. Both clubs have bigger fish to fry; Barcelona are in town this week as Arsenal’s Champions League gets back underway. Likewise, with promotion at stake Championship leaders Hull face Ipswich on Tuesday.
The rows of empty seats scattered around the Emirates reflected the attitude towards the game: a hassle both managers could probably do without.
Indeed, the game started as such, both teams struggling for inspiration. The hosts dominated but failed to make the breakthrough — due to a combination of poor finishing and Jakupovic’s superb display.
Arsenal saw an early penalty appeal turned down after Mohamed Elneny’s goalbound strike appeared to hit Alex Bruce on the arm.
Stiker Danny Welbeck, making his first start in 10 months after recovering from a knee injury, was denied twice in quick succession by Jakupovic before 19-year- old Alex Iwobi, who impressed in a No 10 role, fired an effort narrowly wide.
Walcott forced Jakupovic into another smart save in the 28th minute following a neat turn and strike before Hull defender Harry Maguire was booked for an embarrassing dive.
The home side picked up where they left off at the start of the second half. Walcott and Iwobi were both denied before Joel Campbell struck the inside of the post with a low curling free kick in the 54th minute that Jakupovic got a vital touch to.
Welbeck then saw a deflected effort from the edge of the area brilliantly saved by Hull’s overworked keeper in the 63rd minute.
Wenger called for the cavalry in the 67 minute, Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud introduced in place of Welbeck and Campbell.
Hull midfielder David Meyler fired a strike into the side-netting 18 minutes from time during a rare foray forward from the away side before Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain replaced Iwobi.
And the forward missed a glorious chance in the dying minutes to secure victory but his half-volley from Giroud’s knock down flashed wide.
The frustration on Wenger’s face told you all you needed to know.
Sanchez saw a free kick from the edge of the area parried by the outstanding Jakupovic before Oxlade-Chamberlain saw his header with the final touch of the game saved. Bruce knew his side had escaped here. Wenger, meanwhile, did his best to smile.