by Beefymcfc » Sat May 17, 2014 12:21 pm
Definately worth its own thread for those who want to watch and talk about the game. Just wondering whether I should bring up the Rag Voodoo Doll for people to get their pins into the Arse, would dearly like the Tigers to take this one, even with Elephant Man in-charge.
Funny how most of the media have gone on about Arsenals lack of trophies in the last 9-10 years and tried to put it across as if they deserve to win it (similar to how they did the Dippers) but don't have the same take regarding Hull. When was the last time Hull won a major trophy, don't they deserve it also?
Anyway, here's the Beeb's preview:
Arsenal will assess Thomas Vermaelen and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain ahead of the FA Cup final against Hull City.
Midfielder Oxlade-Chamberlain (groin) has not played since 20 April, while defender Vermaelen (knee) missed his side's last league match of the season.
Hull's first-choice strikers Shane Long and Nikica Jelavic are cup-tied, but keeper Allan McGregor is set to start after recovering from a kidney injury.
Paul McShane, James Chester, Sone Aluko and Robbie Brady face fitness tests.
The quartet are all expected to be declared fit for the match at Wembley, though none are likely to make the starting line-up as Hull attempt to win the FA Cup for the first time.
Arsenal have endured a series of damaging injuries this season but, while they remain without long-term absentee Theo Walcott and fellow attacker Serge Gnabry (both knee), they have been boosted in recent weeks by the return of Aaron Ramsey, Kieran Gibbs, Jack Wilshere and Abou Diaby.
One key selection dilemma facing manager Arsene Wenger is whether to pick first-choice keeper Wojciech Szczesny or retain Lukasz Fabianski, who has been an ever-present in the FA Cup this season.
Arsenal are hoping to end a nine-year run without a trophy, their last piece of silverware coming when they beat Manchester United on penalties to lift the 2005 FA Cup.
Wenger also guided the club to FA Cup success in 1998, 2002, and 2003, while they were beaten finalists in 2001.
But since 2005 the club's fans have endured disappointments in cup competitions, with defeats in the final of the 2006 Champions League and League Cup finals of 2007 and 2011.
Wenger said: "The drought may make it a little more difficult but once you walk over the line you just focus on your football.
"You don't play with the history, you play with your quality and your desire to play well. We need to just turn up and play well."
Hull manager Steve Bruce, whose side finished 16th in the Premier League and have qualified for the Europa League regardless of the result against Arsenal, said: "We're rank outsiders.
"Arsenal are clear favourites but for a club like ours to take on the mighty Arsenal has a ring to it which is what the FA Cup is all about."
MATCH FACTS
Arsenal
•Arsene Wenger has reached his 10th final as Arsenal manager and his sixth FA Cup final.
•Arsenal have reached their 18th FA Cup final, a feat that only Manchester United can match.
•The Gunners have won 10 FA Cup finals, only Manchester United (11) have won more.
•Arsenal have kept clean sheets in each of their last three FA Cup finals.
Hull
•This will be Hull City's first appearance in an FA Cup final - they become the 57th different side to play in the final of this competition.
•The Tigers have won just three of their last 11 FA Cup matches when pitted against a team from the same division (D1 L7).
•Matty Fryatt has scored 10 goals in 13 FA Cup starts, including seven in his last eight. Fryatt also scored in the FA Cup semi-final as a substitute.
Head-to-head
•Arsenal have won two of their previous five FA Cup meetings with Hull City (D2 L1). However other than their meeting in 2009, they have not met in the competition since 1930.
•Hull have scored just once in their last four clashes with Arsenal in all competitions.
•Nicklas Bendtner has scored in three of his four appearances for Arsenal against Hull City.
In the words of my Old Man, "Life will never be the same without Man City, so get it in while you can".
The Future's Bright, The Future's Blue!!!