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FA Cup | Fifth Round
Feb 20, 2016 at 12.45pm UK
 
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Live Commentary: Arsenal 0-0 Hull City - as it happened

Relive the goalless but entertaining FA Cup fifth-round tie between holders Arsenal and Championship leaders Hull City with Sports Mole's live updates.
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For the third year in a row, Arsenal took on Hull City in the FA Cup on Saturday as the Gunners and Tigers met for a fifth-round tie at the Emirates.

Arsene Wenger's side had won both of the previous meetings on their way to back-to-back successes in the competition, but their 14-match winning streak in the Cup ended today as Steve Bruce's men held them to a goalless draw and earned a replay.

See how it all unfolded with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates below.


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Morning all! FA Cup fifth-round weekend is here and it all starts at the Emirates as holders Arsenal take on Championship leaders Hull City. Team news just out, so let's get straight to it...

ARSENAL XI: Ospina; Chambers, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Gibbs; Flamini, Elneny; Campbell, Iwobi, Welbeck; Walcott
Subs: Cech, Bellerin, Monreal, Coquelin, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Alexis, Giroud

HULL XI: Jakupovic; Bruce, Davies, Maguire, Tymon; Elmohamady, Taylor, Meyler, Maloney; Powell; Diomande
Subs: Kuciak, Odubajo, Huddlestone, Hernandez, Diame, Aluko, Robertson

Changes aplenty from both Arsene Wenger and Steve Bruce, with only three of the 22 players having started either side's last league match.

For the home side, centre-backs Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker are the only players to keep their places from last Sunday's huge 2-1 win over Premier League title rivals Leicester. Danny Welbeck, after coming off the bench to score a last-gasp winner, comes in for his first 10 start in 10 months.

Danny Welbeck celebrates finding the winner during the Premier League game between Arsenal and Leicester City on February 14, 2016© Getty Images

Even with all those changes, there's still plenty of big names in the Arsenal side and if things aren't going their way then they can turn to the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud on the bench.

There is no Mesut Ozil or Aaron Ramsey in the squad today and Wenger is surely just giving them a rest ahead of Wednesday's Champions League last-16 first leg against European champions Barcelona on Tuesday. Any injury would be huge going into that match.

As for Hull, Steve Bruce makes a whopping 10 changes from the midweek draw with Championship promotion rivals Brighton & Hove Albion. Curtis Davies is the only player to keep his place, but eight of the 10 to come in do have a Premier League experience, so it's hardly a team of kids from Bruce.

One of those to come in is Manchester United's Nick Powell, who makes his debut for the Tigers today having recently joined the club on loan. Powell made the news yesterday when he was asked about United's defeat in Denmark to Midtjylland in the Europa League and said that he had missed the game because he was playing FIFA!

Like Arsenal, Hull have some quality players on the bench and one of those is Abel Hernandez. The Uruguayan has enjoyed himself in the Championship this season and is second in the scoring charts. He also scored here in last season's Premier League match as Hull went 2-1 in front before Welbeck struck a late equaliser to deny Hull victory.

Abel Hernandez of Hull City celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Hull City at Emirates Stadium on October 18, 2014© Getty Images

These two were in the same league last year, but after Hull's relegation the Tigers are now fighting to get back up to the top flight and doing a pretty good job of it! With 15 games of the season to go, Hull are top by two points, although Middlesbrough just behind them do have a game in hand. Bruce's side have lost only one of their last seven in the league, but that was against one of their main rivals Burnley, while Tuesday's draw with Brighton was also a missed opportunity to dent one of the teams around them.

Although some might frown upon Bruce for making so many changes, promotion is Hull's main goal this term and the tough fixtures keep on coming after today's game at the Emirates, with Hull's next three games all against sides in the Championship's top eight - Ipswich Town, Sheffield Wednesday and Birmingham City.

So it's first in the Championship versus third in the Premier League. Arsenal did not move up the table with that massive win over Leicester on Sunday, but it did cut the gap to the Foxes to just two points. This is by far the Gunners' best chance in recent times to end their 12-year wait for the Premier League crown.

H2H: These two last met in May 2015 when an Alexis Sanchez brace helped Arsenal win 3-1 at the KC Stadium and edge Hull ever closer to relegation. In fact, the Gunners are unbeaten in their last 10 meetings with Hull, winning nine, since the Tigers won 2-1 at the Emirates in September 2008.

All of the talk in the build-up to this has been about these two facing off for the third year in a row in the FA Cup. In 2014 it was in the final at Wembley and Hull got off to a dream start by going 2-0 up early on before Arsenal fought back and forced extra time. In the end, the Gunners ended their nine-year wait for a trophy thanks to Aaron Ramsey's late goal at Wembley.

Arsenal players celebrate victory with the trophy after the FA Cup with Budweiser Final match between Arsenal and Hull City at Wembley Stadium on May 17, 2014© Getty Images

Last year it was the third round when these two met, with Arsenal coming out on top 2-0 thanks to goals either side of half time from Mertesacker and Sanchez.

They have won the competition 12 times, more than anyone else


By the way, here are the other seven fifth-round ties:

Reading vs. West Brom, Watford vs. Leeds, Bournemouth vs. Everton, Blackburn vs. West Ham, Spurs vs. Palace, Chelsea vs. Man City, Shrewsbury vs. Man Utd

PREDICTION: Hard to see anything other than an Arsenal win here. Bruce is clearly not that fussed about going out given how many changes he has made, so I'll say 3-0 to the Gunners.

One player getting a baptism of fire today for Hull is Josh Tymon, who is just 16 years and 125 days old. He wasn't even born when Arsene Wenger won his first FA Cup with Arsenal in 1998!

Here come the two teams out of the tunnel and they are led out by referee Mike Dean, who referees his first Arsenal match since sending off Santi Cazorla and Gabriel Paulista, neither of whom are available today, against Chelsea five months ago.

KICKOFF! It's Arsenal who get us underway at the Emirates.

Hull debutant Powell is playing just behind striker Adama Diomande and he's just brought the ball down really nicely and dribbled his way forward before Koscielny nicked the ball away. Powell will be keen to impress today and although it's not exactly gone well since he moved to Man Utd, he is a talented player.

At just 16 you might expect Tymon to be nervous playing at the Emirates, but he's just gone on a really positive run forward and fired a shot into the side-netting. Decent start this by Hull.

He is the most successful manager in the competition's history 👏


First bit of really smart football from Arsenal as Elneny feeds Flamini, but Powell does really well to get back and slide in to deny the Frenchman's cross.

CHANCE! The Gunners work the resulting corner to Elneny on the edge of the box and his goalbound shot is blocked in the six-yard box. Arsenal want a penalty and Bruce did stop the shot with his arm! Could have easily been given, that.

Although Bruce's arm did not come too far away from his body, he definitely leant towards Elneny's shot and there was about 10 yards between the two, so the defender did have time to see it.

Arsenal really starting to find their rhythm now and Hull are just being a little careless at the back. Youngster Tymon is playing with no fear, but there was a moment just then when he chose not to clear straight away and put his team in a spot of bother.

SAVE! Excellent again from the home side and Walcott in particular. The England international got to the byline and clipped a great cross into the middle where Welbeck got up and headed straight at Jakupovic. Either side and that was the opener.

Powell with a lovely one-two in the middle with Meyler, but he then loses the ball when Tymon had plenty of space out on the left. Up the other end, Walcott calls Jakupovic into action again, but that was a weak effort and easily saved.

It's been a very bright debut both going forward and in defence so far from the Man Utd man


CLOSE! Hull started pretty well, but it's been all Arsenal the last few minutes. They have two good chances in a minute, with Welbeck's shot from a tight angle beaten out by Jakupovic before Iwobi's curler from the edge of the box goes just wide.

Really feels like it's only a matter of time before Arsenal go in front here. All over Hull at the moment.

Arsenal on the break and Welbeck threads it through for Walcott when Campbell was in so much space out on the right. Wrong decision there.

One man who looks very comfortable in an Arsenal shirt is January signing Elneny, who also impressed when he made his first start in the fourth-round win over Burnley last month. The Egyptian was billed as a defensive midfielder, but both today and against Burnley he has shown that he likes to get forward.

It's just calmed down a little the last few minutes after that furious 10 or so minutes of Arsenal pressure. Hull don't look threatening at all, but at least they're not quite as under the cosh.

SAVE! Walcott spins quickly in the box and fizzes one at goal from a tight angle. Jakupovic stands tall and makes a good stop.

Well I never!


BOOKING! First yellow card of the match for Hull defender Maguire, who did really well when forward to get away from Campbell initially, but he then threw himself in the box trying to buy a penalty and Dean saw right through it.

BOOKING! Maloney joins Maguire in the book for a cynical foul on Walcott, who was looking to start an Arsenal counter-attack.

Brilliant work by Koscielny at the back as he flicks Maloney's wicked free kick away from danger with Ospina nowhere near it after leaving his position.

Ooooh! Almost a wonderful one-two between Welbeck and Iwobi, but Maguire just gets a toe to the ball. Moments later Welbeck wants a penalty, but he had lost control and his balance in the box. Dean was right there and made the right call by shaking his head.

BOOKING! Superb lone forward play from Diomande as he holds off Koscielny before being brought down by the Frenchman, who is rightly booked by Dean.

Taylor's free kick drops Davies's way and the defender, who scored in the 2014 final against the Gunners remember, powers a shot at goal but it's blocked by Chambers.

Just the one minute of added time at the end of the first half and Hull will be really happy that it's still goalless at the Emirates.

HALF-TIME: ARSENAL 0-0 HULL

No goals at the break then, but holders Arsenal have been the dominant team. They probably should have had a penalty when Bruce used his arm to block a goalbound shot, while Jakupovic has made a couple of good saves. We'll be back soon for the second half!

Arsenal had 65% possession and eight shots to Hull's two in the first half, but we're still goalless at the break. If Hull are to avoid defeat, you feel that it will be by holding the Gunners to a goalless draw and earning a replay, because they have posed little threat in attack.

KICKOFF! Back underway in North London, with no half-time subs from either manager.

SAVE! Arsenal right back at it as Gibbs cuts back for Walcott, whose side-footed effort is parried away by Jakupovic. The Hull keeper has not put a foot wrong yet.

CLOSE! No penalty says Dean as Meyler slides in on Chambers. Could have been given. Elneny picks up the loose ball and tees up Iwobi, whose shot flies just wide of the post.

Free kick to Arsenal right on the edge of the box...

OFF THE POST! Campbell's low shot comes back off the inside of the post and then Flamini shoots over!

HULL SUBS: Pair of changes for the hosts as Huddlestone and Odubajo come on for Taylor and Tymon. The latter really did well in the first half at just 16 years old. A bright future ahead you would think.

Replays show that Jakupovic actually got a fingertip to that Campbell free kick to divert it onto the post. The Hull keeper is having an excellent game!

Wenger yet to make any changes, but surely he's about to throw on players like Sanchez and Giroud. One thing Wenger definitely does not want is a replay, which is the way this is heading at the moment.

SAVE! Jakupovic again with a fine save, this time springing to his left and somehow getting his right arm to the ball after it took a slight deflection. Great stop!

ARSENAL SUBS: Here come Sanchez and Giroud, with Campbell and Welbeck the two taken off. Can the two stars coming on change the game for Arsenal with just a quarter of the match to go?

Reckless from Koscielny as he flies in on Meyler and misses the ball. The Frenchman has already been booked and a red card today would see him miss Arsenal's next domestic game against Man Utd next weekend.

Dear oh dear! Elneny tries his luck with a volley from 25 yards that flies high into the stand. Just 20 minutes of normal time to go!

SAVE! Nice play from Giroud on the edge of the box but his shot lacks power and Jakupovic holds easily.

CLOSE! Hull with a rare chance on the counter and Meyler fires the ball into the side-netting. He probably should have squared for a teammate, but Ospina was anticipating the cross and had Meyler got that inside the post it would have been a goal!

ARSENAL SUB: Third and final change for the Gunners and it's Oxlade-Chamberlain on for Iwobi.

Arsenal have had 70% possession, but this free kick against the post from Campbell is the closest that they've come

Joel Campbell of Arsenal takes a free kick saved by Eldin Jakupovic of Hull City in the FA Cup fifth round on February 20, 2016© Getty Images

Whooops! Sanchez cuts inside his man and has a pop but that's wild and goes miles wide.

HULL SUB: Powell looks shattered and Bruce takes him off for Sone Aluko.

Time running out here for Arsenal and they look a bit bereft of ideas as Sanchez carelessly overhits a simple pass to Walcott.

Arsenal can't get the ball back at the moment! Hull enjoying plenty of possession and what a time to have their best passage of passing play.

Aluko shoots straight at Ospina with a great chance, but the offside flag was up so it would not have counted. Surely the Tigers aren't going to snatch this?!

CHANCE! Walcott floats a cross to the back post and Giroud nods it down well to Oxlade-Chamberlain, whose first-time shot is dragged wide.

Just as four minutes are added on, Arsenal have a free kick right on the edge of the box...

SAVE! Sanchez gets it up and over the wall, but it's a fairly easy save for Jakupovic.

Hull have a throw-in in the Arsenal half with about a minute to go. We're heading for a replay!

CLOSE! One last chance for Arsenal, but there is not a winner this time like there was last week as Oxlade-Chamberlain's header is held by the unbeatable Jakupovic. His 11th save!

FULL-TIME: ARSENAL 0-0 HULL

Hull keeper Jakupovic gets a standing ovation from the away fans and rightly so, what a performance from Hull's number-two keeper! Arsenal will have to go to the KC Stadium and that's hardly what they need given that they face Barcelona over a two legs as well as having the Premier League to fight for!

Credit must go to Hull though. The Tigers defended brilliantly and even though Bruce said in the build-up that he did not like replays, he'll be delighted with his side's performance after he made 10 changes. Thanks for joining SM this afternoon. Click back to the home page to find more live FA Cup commentaries!

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Man Utd's Nick Powell in action against Galatasaray on November 20, 2012
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