Arsenal’s wounded lion hope to maul the Tigers #AFCLive

Arsenal vs Hull Match Preview – Premier League – 18.10.14

Thankfully, after another tedious international break, Arsenal are back and line up against last season’s FA Cup Final opposition, Hull City. Arsenal’s next four games are, on paper, games they should win and then they face a semi-resurgent Manchester United in a game that Arsenal have to win for more reasons than just the points.

After losing to Chelsea in what was actually quite a close match, decided by a moment of brilliance and compounded by another as we chased the equaliser despite not looking threatening for a goal at all, Arsenal find themselves well off the pace.

That isn’t a huge issue at the moment as there are plenty of games left to claw back the deficit but in order to do so Arsenal need to start racking up wins and the next five games simply cannot return fewer than 15 points lest the fans grow more weary and obstinate in their views we will not challenge this season. Maximum points from the next five games should improve the mood around Arsenal and a strong finish to the year followed by an early January signing may see some of that post FA Cup & Sanchez signing euphoria and belief return.

However, as the illuminating and eloquent Andy Gray used to say, during matches and on loop in FIFA games, the game isn’t played on paper, it’s played on that green thing out there. No, not Kermit.

Hull aren’t mugs and they proved that in the FA Cup Final, a game we were pinned to walk through. They added some excellent attacking talent and Arsenal are working with a makeshift defence. This will not be a walk in the park but Arsenal hold the home advantage and the superior attacking talent. A professional display should see us through this game to where we can welcome back Chambers from suspension and hopefully Koscielny from injury.

Set pieces will be the biggest problem area for Arsenal, especially if Monreal is paired with Mertesacker and you have wonder if Hayden will be considered to raw to play. Hopefully not.

Arsenal from; Szczesny, Ospina, Gibbs, Monreal, Mertesacker, Hayden, Bellerin, Rosicky, Ramsey, Wilshere, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Alexis, Cazorla, Flamini, Diaby, Campbell, Welbeck, Podolski

Predicted Line-up

Szczesny, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Monreal, Gibbs, Flamini, Wilshere, Cazorla, Chamberlain, Welbeck, Sanchez

I expect to see substitute appearances from Podolski, Rosicky and maybe Ramsey who is reportedly in the squad

Match Quote

“When you look at their team sheet now, they look like they can beat anybody so I expect a tough game” – Arsène Wenger

Last 3 Meetings

• Arsenal 3-2 Hull (17.05.2014)
• Hull 0-3 Arsenal (20.04.2014)
• Arsenal 2-0 Hull (04.12.2013)

Form Guide

Arsenal Last 5
LWDLW

Hull Last 5
WLLDD

Opposition watch

Hull haven’t been in the best run of form but they know what we are all about having played us twice quite recently and how to score against us. Their height advantage will make them extremely dangerous at set-pieces and Arsenal will need to ensure they aren’t giving away cheap free kicks or corners.

Factfile

• Arsenal have not lost twice in a row in the league for almost 2 years
• Hull haven’t won twice in a row in the league for over a year
• Arsenal haven’t lost to Hull since their first top flight meeting in 2008

Prediction

Everything hinges on our ability to protect our elastoplast defence so midfield control will be crucial. Arsenal need to rediscover their shooting boots as we failed to offer Chelsea any trouble in our last match. I’m going for a 3-1 Arsenal win with goals from Welbeck, Wilshere and Alexis.

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