Disappointment for Arsenal today, as lackluster but sprited performance saw the side draw 2-2 with Hull at home. Much talk was about today’s game being a rematch of last year’s F.A Cup final, and in some ways it lived up to the excitement of the cup. Arsenal again had to come from behind to take something from the game. The two sides were of course distinctly different with signings coming in for both teams.

Injuries, suspension, and even illness (Lukas Podolski) really took a toll on Arsenal as well which meant the boys had to dig in for the result. An Alexis Sanchez  goal sent Arsenal on their way, before a controversial Diame equalizer pulled Hull level. Arsenal were stunned by a Hernandez goal right after break and Arsenal struggled to recover. Danny Welbeck got on the end of a Sanchez run to rescue Arsenal at the death, and they looked liked going on to win it but it was not to be. Wenger played the lineup most of us were expecting, with Monreal replacing Koscielny and Bellerin replacing Chambers at the back. Flamini, Cazorla, and Chamberlain replaced Ozil, Ramsey, and Arteta who were both surprisingly fit enough to make the bench. The Emirates was rocking before the match, and the boys made sure it continued during and after.

Arsenal: Szczesny, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Monreal, Gibbs, Flamini, Wilshere, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cazorla, Alexis, Welbeck

Hull City: Harper, Chester, Davies, Huddlestone, ,Livermore, Diame, Dawson, Robertson, Elmohamady, Ben Arfa. Hernandez

Report-1st half

Lively opening period from Arsenal and the boys really looked up for it. They could have been 1 nil up after just five minutes when Sanchez picked out Wilshere with a cross after some good work down the right. Wilshere couldn’t keep his header down though. Just moments later Wilshere picked out Welbeck but his first touch let him down. He was always stretching to get his shot away and Harper palmed away his effort before smothering Sanchez’s attempted rebound. The ball would eventually trickle back into the path of Welbeck well wide of the goal and he skied his effort high and wide.

Arsenal continued to press and a good move picked out Chamberlain on the left whose low cross was cut out by Harper. Two minutes later, Cazorla’s curling effort from 25 yards was destined for the top left corner if not for an acrobatic save from Harper. A tentative volley from Welbeck followed shortly, but two minutes after that in the 13th minute Arsenal did get the opener. A brilliant goal at that, as Sanchez’s fleet footed run saw him beat Davies skillfully down the right before driving a low rasping shot into the corner beyond Harper. Fantastic from the Chilean.

Euphoria only lasted for four minutes though, as the visitors managed to claw level against the run of play. Diame picked up the ball 35 yards from goals and  rode a few challenges on his way into the area. He appeared to unfairly tug Flamini out of it, but referee Roger East allowed play to continue and Diame coasted into the box before chipping the onrushing Szczesny.

Hard luck for Arsenal who continued to press. Cazorla got on the end of a Welbeck layoff but his shot was blocked on the edge of the area. That would be the story for the rest of the half unfortunately, as Arsenal struggled to break down Hull. Cazorla again made some space for himself in the 30th but couldn’t get enough behind his effort which rolled comfortably into the path of Harper. The Spaniard would also have a free kick blocked by the wall eight minutes later. That concluded the chances and the half ended 1-1.

Report-2nd half

Worrying opening moments as Arsenal went behind after just 31 seconds. Huddlestone hung his cross for Hernandez who rose higher than Mertesacker to nod beyond Szczesny. Arsenal were stunned and had it all to do now. It was cagey after that as the visitors were content with protecting their lead.

A little bit of good news saw Aaron Ramsey return from injury when he came on for Flamini in the 61st. Bad news soon followed however 8 minutes later when Wilshere went down in a heap after a challenge with Gaston Ramirez. Joel Campbell replaced him and the Costa Rican looked lively. He got on the ball several times and drove at players.

The final ten minutes is where Arsenal really kicked on for the equalizer and Sanchez’s scoop through ball found Campbell. He layed off back to the Chilean who saw his shot blocked by Dawson. Four minutes later Sanchez got on the end of a Monreal cross but couldn’t beat Jakupovic with his header. The Hull keeper had replaced Harper earlier in the game. Moments later Campbell showed good footwork to get a cross away which fell for Chamberlain but he could only sky his effort over.

6 minutes of extra time were awarded and Arsenal put it to good use when Sanchez picked out Welbeck in the 91st. Welbeck made no mistake with his finish after some good work from Alexis. Arsenal were level 2-2 and looked like grabbing the winner. Cazorla saw his shot saved while Campbell’s follow up cross was cut out.

In the dying moments, Sanchez’s reverse chipped through ball saw Gibbs clear at the far post who was a stud’s length away from converting. He was always stretching to get a touch and Jakupovic had a relatively easy save. A corner moments later fell for Mertesacker who nodded on for Ramsey who’s lob found Monreal alone on the 6 yard box. He whiffed at his effort though and the referee blew for full time as the ball squirmed away.

2-2 at the Emirates

How did the boys do?

Szczesny 6, Bellerin 8, Mertesacker 6, Monreal 8 , Gibbs 7, Flamini 7, Wilshere 7 , Oxlade-Chamberlain 6, Cazorla 8, Alexis 9, Welbeck 8, Campbell 8,  Ramsey 7

Gunflash moment – Welbeck Equalizer

Not a winning goal, but an important one nonetheless. Good finish to snatch back a point and once again showing he will be an important player for us.

Top Gunner-Alexis Sanchez

The Chilean was brilliant today with both his goal and assist coming in superb fashion. He absolutely skinned Davies on his goal and again showed silky skills when setting up Welbeck.

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