Match Review: Hull City 2 Arsenal 3 (AET) - FA Cup Final - 17.05.14

Wilshere was involved in the build up to the goal, but the moments of quality came from Giroud and Ramsey. Sanogo received the ball and bundled his way into the box before the ball fell to Giroud. The Frenchman produced an exquisite back heel pass and the ball fell perfectly for Ramsey. The tireless midfielder rounded off a magnificent season by taking the ball first time and with the outside of his foot, drilling it in at the near post. Cue a Charlie George style celebration as the relieved Arsenal players swarmed the man of the moment. Minutes away from glory. But there was still time for a couple of heart stopping moments, as Mertesacker’s slip prompted Fabianski to come charging out of goal in a near remake of the 2011 League Cup Final. Fortunately the Hull player was left with too much of an angle and he failed to put the ball into the empty net. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Lee Probert blew the final whistle and players and fans alike went nuts.

Image © www.themirror.co.uk

The scenes as Arsenal lifted the trophy and at the parade afterwards on Sunday will go down in our club’s great history as some of the best we’ve seen. It’s not so much the tournament, even though the FA Cup is one of the greatest prizes in world football, but more the significance of the win. The banishing of the nine season monkey, the relief of finally getting over the line. A first trophy for players like Rosicky, Sagna and Fabianski, as well as their younger compatriots and team-mates and of course a much needed boost for our legendary manager, who may well have walked away if things hadn’t worked out. This trophy is of huge significance and could give us the impetus to go on and challenge for regular honours. But questions of the future can wait. For now, we can all bask in the glory of a long overdue Cup win!

Teams

Hull (5-3-1-1)
McGregor, Rosenior (Boyd 102’), Davies (Y), Bruce (McShane 67’), Chester, Elmohamady, Huddlestone (Y), Livermore, Meyler (Y), Quinn (Aluko 75’), Fryatt
Subs
Figueroa, McShane, Boyd, Harper, Sagbo, Aluko, Koren

Arsenal (4-2-3-1)
Fabianski, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Arteta, Ramsey, Podolski (Sanogo 61’), Özil (Wilshere 105’), Cazorla (Rosicky 105’), Giroud (Y)
Subs
Szczesny, Monreal, Flamini, Sanogo, Rosicky, Wilshere, Vermaelen

Player Ratings

Fabianski - 6/10 - In his last game at the club, had little to do and nearly cost us dear!
Sagna - 6/10 - Struggled to affect the game going forward and did ok defensively
Mertesacker - 6/10 - Eventually recovered from the shocking start our defence had
Koscielny - 7/10 - Big game Kos strikes again, outstanding commitment
Gibbs - 6/10 - Pretty much the same as Sagna. Shocking miss too
Arteta - 6/10 - The huge pitch was not kind to him, but put in a solid performance
Ramsey - 8/10 - Struggled in the first half, but grew into the game and led us to victory
Podolski - 5/10 - Had a bit of a stinker really, completely anonymous
Özil - 5/10 - Also way off his best, but a good season overall, which he can build on next year
Cazorla - 7/10 - Stepped when we needed him and scored one of the great cup final goals
Giroud - 6/10 - Poor in normal time but looked dangerous as Hull tired
Subs
Sanogo - 6/10 - Still don’t know what to make of him, but he certainly adds unpredictability!
Wilshere - 6/10 - Had a big hand in the winner and showed up at just the right time
Rosicky - 6/10 - Didn’t really have a chance to affect the game, but solid nonetheless

@sambangsdrums

Editor's Note 

A special thanks to Sam Stubbs-Benbow for his wonderful contributions to the Goonersphere website this season. His match reviews have been a joy to read this season and he always manages to encapsulate the mood of the day and the essence of the game. We all look forward to welcoming Sam back for the 2014/15 season to continue his fine work. 50+ matches is a lot to cover so if you would be interested in writing for us and covering the few matches Sam cannot and think you are up to the task of equalling his ecellent work please get in touch.

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