arsenal draw blank against hull; barcelona down las palmas
Second-tier Reading stun West Bromwich; Watford pip Leeds
london — Holders Arsenal’s long unbeaten run in the FA Cup continued but they were frustrated by stubborn Championship leaders Hull City on Saturday, drawing 0-0 in a dreary fifth-round tie at the Emirates Stadium.
Second-tier Reading came from behind to beat West Bromwich Albion 3-1, and Watford relied on an own goal to beat Leeds 1-0. Arsene Wenger’s side piled on late pressure but could not find a way past the massed ranks of Hull’s defence and will need a replay in their quest to become the first club in the modern era to win the competition three years in a row.
Despite overwhelming possession, the closest Arsenal came to breaking the deadlock was Joel Campbell’s free kick that was tipped against the post by Hull’s Eldin Jakupovic and Theo Walcott was also denied by the inspired goalkeeper. Hull, beaten by Arsenal in the 2014 FA Cup final after leading 2-0 inside the opening 10 minutes, rarely threatened, although David Meyler wasted a good chance when he shot into the side-netting. “We were not incisive or accurate enough in our passing in the final third,” Wenger, taking charge of his 100th FA Cup game for Arsenal, told BT Sport.
“We had 20 shots, 70 percent possession but no goals.”
Arsenal had won their previous 14 FA Cup ties and should have made it 15 despite nine changes to the team who beat Leicester City last week to move to within two points of the top of the Premier League. Wenger clearly had one eye firmly on Tuesday’s Champions League last 16 home game against Barcelona but promotionchasing Hull went one better, making 10 alterations to their lineup from last week’s draw with Brighton and Hove Albion.
Manager Steve Bruce defended his selection which included a place for 16-year-old Josh Tymon.
“It’s not like I sent out a team of kids,” Bruce, whose priority is to get Hull back into the top flight, said. “We had a lot of experience out there today. “We made 10 changes and we rode our luck a bit, but the team deserved it for the spirit and effort they gave. It bodes well when I see the strength in depth we’ve got, because we’re going to need it.”
Arsenal threw on the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Olivier Giroud and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as they sought a winner but when Jakupovic denied Sanchez in stoppage time it proved to be the final goalmouth action. Later on Saturday Watford face Leeds United, Reading host West Bromwich Albion and Bournemouth play Everton in the day’s only all top-flight clash.
Chelsea host Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur face Crystal Palace on Sunday. Third tier Shrewsbury Town entertain Manchester United on Monday.
14 Fa Cup matches won on the trot
by arsenal