It has been a long time coming for Arsène Wenger and Arsenal, for them just a second FA Cup final in 10 years is looming. It remains the most successful competition for Wenger, having led his various Arsenal teams to the trophy four times, their last in 2005, which incidentally was the last time a trophy or final of any kind swung in favour of the Gunners. Three final defeats since that penalty shoot-out win and they have high hopes of winning the cup without the added pressure of an extra thirty minutes.
It is a totally different story for Hull City. Under the guidance of Steve Bruce, the Tigers have endured a long but successful season, avoiding relegation with games to spare, the FA Cup run being an added bonus. Hull have managed to keep off-the-field troubles away from their play, registering exceptional home wins against Liverpool and Fulham either side of December, scoring nine goals in the process.
Both sides have had contrasting FA Cup runs. The Gunners played four straight home games on their road to Wembley, albeit against strong opposition. Whereas Hull made three straight away visits in the opening rounds of the cup, facing lower league opposition in the form of Middlesbrough, Southend United and Brighton, who forced a replay before losing out at the KC Stadium.
Arsenal FA Cup run:
Round 3: Tottenham Hotspur (H) – 2-0 Win
Round 4: Coventry City (H) – 4-0 Win
Round 5: Liverpool (H) – 2-1 Win
Quarter Final: Everton (H) – 4-1 Win
Semi Final: Wigan Athletic (N) – 1-1 (aet, Arsenal won 4-2 on penalties)
Final: Hull City (N) –
Hull City FA Cup run:
Round 3: Middlesbrough (A) – 2-0 Win
Round 4: Southend United (A) – 2-0 Win
Round 5: Brighton and Hove Albion (A) – 1-1 (Hull won replay 2-1)
Quarter Final: Sunderland (H) – 3-0 Win
Semi Final: Sheffield United (N) – 5-3 Win
Final: Arsenal (N) –
Recent Form and Team News
Arsenal form (last six games) – LWWWWW (15 points from possible 18)
Hull form (last six games) – WLDLLL (4 points from a possible 18)
Since their first visits of the season to Wembley in the previous round, both sides have seen drastic changes in form. A 3-0 win for Arsenal against their cup rivals set them on their way to a five game winning streak, ending the Premier League season on a high, finishing with 79 points. Hull, on the other hand, have not won since their thrilling 5-3 victory against Sheffield United five weeks ago, falling to four defeats in the process. A run that saw them slip from 12th to a final position of 16th. Despite this, they have also secured Europa League football for the first time after reaching the final.
Wenger has talked to the press about his sides chances in the final, stating that the previous games between the two account for nothing in a final, and that will make Hull hungrier than ever to win their first ever FA Cup after reaching the first final of any kind since the 1984 Football League Trophy, where they lost 2-1 to Bournemouth.
Bruce was also open-minded about the game, discussing the fact that reaching the FA Cup final as a manager is a new experience for him and is nothing like reaching it as a player. Bruce, who won the FA Cup twice at Manchester United, described his determination to give back to the fans that have supported the team all season, and that taking a cup to a working-class city such as Hull would be a terrific achievement.
Arsenal remain without long-term absentees Serge Gnabry, Ryo Miyaichi and Theo Walcott, whilst Thomas Vermaelen and Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain face late fitness tests ahead of Saturday’s game. All of the players from the final Premier League game are available for selection, leaving Wenger with multiple dilemmas, from Jack Wilshere to the tale of the Poles in goal. Fabiański has played through every FA Cup game this season but made just one league appearance, on the final day. With rumours of contract talks stalling also, this could be a fitting farewell for Fabiański. Szczęsny, on the other hand, played all but one Premier League game, his omission from the first team on the final day denying him the chance of winning the Golden Glove, which he now shares with Petr Cech. He will also have a point to prove should he start after his miscommunication with Laurent Koscielny allowed Birmingham to score an 89th minute winner in Arsenal’s last Wembley final.
Hull will be massively boosted by the return of number one Allan McGregor, who, weeks ago, was ruled out for the remainder of the season, hospitalised with kidney damage. Ex-Manchester United winger Robbie Brady is another who is returning from long term injury, reportedly recovering from a groin injury in time to make the final.
An FA Cup final has been a long time coming for both of these sides and with their own reasons to win the FA Cup in its 133rd season, which team and manager will come out on top when it matters the most? Wenger vs. Bruce, Arsenal vs. Hull. It promises to be a great final, with all to play for.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Hull City
