Arsenal scored two goals in the last 15 minutes of their Quarter Final game against Hull last night, setting up a mouthwatering Semi Final clash with Chelsea.
The Gunners were one nil down for a large part of the game, former Tottenham man Nick Barmby scoring his first FA cup goal in 8 years – giving the away team a surprise early lead when his deflected shot looped over Fabianski.
Arsenal were off the pace in the first half with some sloppy passes and the failure to turn decent possession into any good opportunities.
Hull were the better team at the beginning of the first half – Geovanni’s free-kick saved by Fabianski and Barmby having another goal disallowed for offside.
Kamil Zayatte headed over from Peter Halmosi’s cross as Arsenal struggled to get a hold on the game in the early stages.
Arsenal seemed to have chance after chance in the second half, Abou Diaby’s header from a corner missed by only inches, Arshavin had a powerful close range shot blocked and Alex Song shot wide from 6 yards out with back to goal. Van Persie had a curling 25 yard effort saved by a fully stretched Hull keeper; the Dutchman also saw a looping header from a corner clip the top of the bar.
Vela and Song were replaced by Bendtner and Nasri just after the hour mark and it was after these changes that Arsenal really took the game to Hull.
Hull defended valiantly, thwarting Arsenal chances with a string of diving tackles and blocks from Sam Ricketts in particular.
The Arsenal bench were becoming increasingly frustrated with what they saw as time wasting from Hull, Mike Riley eventually lost patience with Hull’s time-wasting tactics, and he gave goalkeeper Myhill for moving delaying a free kick.
Van Persie finished off a lengthy spell of Arsenal pressure when he slotted home Arshavin’s pass from close range after excellent work from Bendtner on the right bye line.
A few minutes later, Hull were left protesting in vain for offside as Gallas headed in the winner with only 5 minutes later.
A typical fast paced FA cup clash was marred by even more controversary after the game, with an incident involving Assistant Hull boss Brian Horton and injured Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas.
Tigers boss Phil Brown said after the game: “You know you don’t get the rub of the green at places like this but for their club captain, Cesc Fabregas, to spit at my assistant tells you what this club’s about.”
Wenger was asked about the Fabregas incident, said: “It’s completely new to me. I don’t know anything about this at all”.
Fabregas has responded this morning by saying: “I categorically deny that I spat at anybody after the match. I have never done this in my whole career on the pitch, so why would I do it when I am not even playing?”
Brown was also fuming about the Gallas goal and added: “Its an absolute disgrace, we’ve been beaten by a referee’s decision.”
Arsenal however march on, a Wembley date with their bitter London rivals Chelsea now the only obstacle to Arsene Wenger’s 6th FA Cup Final with The Gunners.
