Hull City 0-4 Arsenal

Arsenal ended a run of five games without a win by beating Hull in an FA Cup fifth-round replay to secure a quarter-final against Watford.

The Gunners were gifted the lead when Hull's David Meyler set up Olivier Giroud to slot home.

Aaron Ramsey almost scored an own goal to let Hull back in but Giroud volleyed in to extend Arsenal's lead.

Theo Walcott wrapped up the victory for the holders when he side-footed in and then rifled in a late shot.

Relive Arsenal's win over Hull

Giroud and Walcott back in groove

Giroud celebrated the birth of his baby boy on Monday and manager Arsene Wenger hoped it would inspire him to break his 11-game scoring drought.

The France striker was restored to the starting line-up, along with fellow forward Walcott, but the pair initially struggled against Hull, who had not conceded in six previous home games.

The Tigers were employing a three centre-back formation and rarely looked like being breached until Meyler's mistake allowed Giroud to slot in his first goal since 13 January.

Walcott's form has also been a concern and, although he looked short of confidence, he set up Giroud's second before looking like his former self when his late double gave him his first goals in five games.

Despite a return to winning ways for manager Arsene Wenger's side, some Gunners fans held up a banner reading 'Arsene, thanks for the memories but it's time to say goodbye'.

Theo Walcott's touchmap in the first half (left) compared to the second half showed his movement and threat increased after the break in the final third

Arsenal's injury troubles mount

The priority for both of these teams are their league campaigns as Arsenal remain in the hunt for the Premier League title, while Hull are challenging for promotion from the Championship.

The home side made seven changes and the Gunners six, with the visitors forced into more of a reshuffle when centre-back Per Mertesacker went off injured early on after a clash of heads with Nick Powell.

Arsenal were playing their sixth game in 18 days and, with centre-back Laurent Koscielny already sidelined, the exit of fellow defender Gabriel in the second half has provided the Gunners with problems at the heart of their defence.

Gabriel's replacement in midfielder Aaron Ramsey lasted only 16 minutes before an apparent shoulder injury ended his participation and Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger now faces a selection dilemma against Watford on Sunday.

His side may be attempting to win a third successive FA Cup but, after their last-eight tie, they will attempt an unlikely Champions League comeback from 2-0 down at Barcelona before returning to league action.

Hull goalscoring struggles continue

Hull's main threat came from set-pieces, with one particular free-kick causing panic in the Arsenal area before David Meyler forced keeper David Ospina into a smart save.

Powell's effort from the rebound was parried and Ahmed Elmohamady slotted in, but the assistant referee had already flagged for an offside decision Hull may feel aggrieved by.

However, Hull failed to capitalise on Arsenal's problems at the back and when a rare chance came their way striker Mohamed Diame sent a header wide from eight yards.

Indeed, the closest the home side came was when Ramsey sent a header wide of his own goal and Steve Bruce's men have now scored only once in six games.

Man of the match - Olivier Giroud

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud scores against Hull — Giroud's opener was the first that Hull City conceded at home since 16 December, 2015

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger speaking to BT Sport: "It was a shock as we lost our two centre-backs in the game and then we lost Aaron Ramsey.

"Mertesacker is not serious, just a little concussion, and I think Gabriel looks all right but for Ramsey I am little bit more concerned.

"It's a thigh injury, but apart from that we have played well."

Hull boss Steve Bruce: "I don't think it's a fair reflection. We've given away two awful goals.

"The one on the first half is one of those horrible ones and when you play against Arsenal - one of the top teams - or anybody for that matter then you cannot give goals away like that."

The stats you need to know

Arsenal scored with their first shot on target in this match - the third successive game that they have done this.
Arsenal have never lost an away FA Cup match against lower league opposition under Arsene Wenger (W12 D4)
The Gunners have won each of their last six visits to Hull in all competitions, scoring at least twice on each occasion.
Hull conceded three or more goals in a competitive home game for the first time since Arsenal won 3-1 there in the Premier League in May 2015.

What next?

Arsenal host Watford on Sunday before trips to Barcelona in the Champions League on 16 March and Everton in the Premier League on 19 March. Hull get back to Championship action when they host MK Dons on Saturday.

Line-ups
Match Stats
Live Text

Line-ups

Hull

Formation 3-5-1-1

16Jakupovic
12MaguireBooked at 51mins
4Bruce
6Davies
27El Mohamady
17DiaméBooked at 47mins
8Huddlestone
7MeylerSubstituted forAlukoat 58'minutes
2OdubajoSubstituted forRobertsonat 81'minutes
22Powell
25DiomandeSubstituted forTaylorat 88'minutes

Substitutes

5Taylor
9Hernández
14Livermore
24Aluko
26Robertson
30Kuciak
33Tymon

Arsenal

Formation 4-2-3-1

13Ospina
21Chambers
4MertesackerSubstituted forMonrealat 33'minutes
5GabrielSubstituted forRamseyat 57'minutesSubstituted forReine Adelaideat 73'minutes
3Gibbs
35ElnenyBooked at 32mins
20Flamini
28Campbell
45Iwobi
14Walcott
12GiroudBooked at 34mins

Substitutes

11Özil
16Ramsey
17Sánchez
18Monreal
49Macey
54Reine Adelaide
59Willock

Referee:: Mike Jones
Attendance:: 20,993

Match Stats

Home TeamHullAway TeamArsenal

Possession: Home40%; Away60%

Shots: Home6; Away13

Shots on Target: Home2; Away7

Corners: Home3; Away4

Fouls: Home6; Away10

Live Text

Post update
Match ends, Hull City 0, Arsenal 4.
90'+3'
Full Time
Second Half ends, Hull City 0, Arsenal 4.

90'+1'
Post update
Offside, Arsenal. Jeff Reine Adelaide tries a through ball, but Olivier Giroud is caught offside.
90'
Post update
Attempt saved. Tom Huddlestone (Hull City) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by Curtis Davies.
90'
Post update
Foul by Joel Campbell (Arsenal).
90'
Post update
Harry Maguire (Hull City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
88'
Goal!
Goal! Hull City 0, Arsenal 4. Theo Walcott (Arsenal) right footed shot from the right side of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Alex Iwobi following a fast break.
88'
Substitution
Substitution, Hull City. Ryan Taylor replaces Adama Diomande.
87'
Post update
Foul by Joel Campbell (Arsenal).
87'
Post update
Ahmed Elmohamady (Hull City) wins a free kick on the right wing.
87'
Post update
Attempt saved. Alex Iwobi (Arsenal) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Olivier Giroud.
86'
Post update
Attempt missed. Joel Campbell (Arsenal) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right from a direct free kick.
85'
Post update
Alex Iwobi (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
85'
Post update
Foul by Tom Huddlestone (Hull City).
83'
Post update
Attempt saved. Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
81'
Substitution
Substitution, Hull City. Andrew Robertson replaces Moses Odubajo because of an injury.
79'
Post update
Offside, Arsenal. Mathieu Flamini tries a through ball, but Olivier Giroud is caught offside.
77'
Goal!
Goal! Hull City 0, Arsenal 3. Theo Walcott (Arsenal) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Joel Campbell with a through ball.
75'
Post update
Corner, Hull City. Conceded by Joel Campbell.
74'
Post update
Foul by Joel Campbell (Arsenal).

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