Arsenal vs. Hull City: Score, Grades, Reaction from FA Cup Game

Arsenal opened up the defence of their FA Cup crown with a 2-0 win over Hull City at the Emirates.

In a repeat of last year’s final, the Gunners were far more comfortable winners than the scoreline suggests.

Arsene Wenger’s men only had goals from Per Mertesacker and Alexis Sanchez to show for their efforts, but they were rarely tested by a Hull side that worked hard but struggled to threaten.

Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

Joel Campbell was handed a rare start, and he should have sent a message to Wenger with the opening goal on four minutes.

The Costa Rican showed great feet to slalom past tackles and exchange passes with Alexis, but his shot was straight at Steve Harper.

It was an early statement from Arsenal, and they continued to carve out chances, with Alexis chipping a shot over the bar.

The Arsenal pressure led to the opening goal on 20 minutes, and it was simplicity itself. A corner from Alexis was met by the giant figure of Mertesacker who, having shrugged off Curtis Davies all too easily, planted his header beyond Harper.

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.@mertesacker's header gives @Arsenal a 1-0 lead at half-time. Read the #AFCvHCFC story so far http://t.co/CIDq0nu0Zl pic.twitter.com/7YMmwfH6Ig

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) January 4, 2015"

Arsenal had chances to double their lead but were denied by Harper. The keeper stopped a deflected effort at the foot of a post and also thwarted Theo Walcott.

Walcott was handed a start a year to the day since his serious knee injury, and evidence suggests he has lost none of his searing pace.

The England forward exchanged passes with Santi Cazorla and raced into the box, but the composure was lacking, as his shot was straight at Harper.

Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

At the other end, Hull’s main threat came from aerial balls into the box, but David Ospina kept out headers from Paul McShane and Harry Maguire.

The quicksilver Alexis has been the driving force in attack for Arsenal this term, and he seized on a wayward pass from the otherwise impressive Tom Ince at the start of the second half to spring forward, but his shot from the edge of the box lacked the power to trouble Harper.

Campbell had a sight of goal on 61 minutes when running onto a pass from Alexis, but he did not strike the ball with any conviction, and the effort drifted well wide.

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With finishing like that it's hard to tell if it's Joel campbell or Naomi Campbell up front for us

— Howie Richmond (@Richmondo84) January 4, 2015"

Walcott had a chance to put the game beyond Hull on 67 minutes when bursting onto a great pass from Cazorla, but with Harper racing out at him, he dinked his shot wide of target.

It was disappointing as far as Arsenal were concerned to see Walcott pass up the chance, but the positives were the pace and awareness he showed to get onto the end of the pass.

By keeping Arsenal down to one goal, Hull had the opportunity to fight their way back into the match in the final 10 minutes.

However, any hope of a fightback was snuffed out by a moment of brilliance from Alexis on 82 minutes. Collecting a ball on the edge of the box, Alexis turned away from his marker before curling a glorious low shot beyond Harper.

Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

It was a goal worthy of winning any game, and that's what it did.

It is back to league action for Arsenal next weekend. Having been comprehensively outpointed by Southampton on New Year’s Day, the Gunners need a response to show they are worthy top-four contenders.

They will face no easy task, though, as Stoke will pitch up at the Emirates looking to ruffle Arsenal feathers.

Hull will return to their battle for survival next weekend against West Brom, and on this evidence, they will need to up their game if they are to avoid relegation.

Notable Player Grades 

Steve Harper: B+

The Hull keeper produced a string of fine saves and could do nothing about Mertesacker’s header.

Theo Walcott: B-

Paul Gilham/Getty Images

In his first start for a year, the forward showed his old zip is still intact. Darting runs were in evidence, and Arsenal will surely benefit from his return in 2015.

Joel Campbell: C

It was a mixed day for Campbell, as he showed excellent spark with the ball at his feet but looked nervous in front of goal and passed up a couple of good chances.

Santi Cazorla: B+

Once again the Spaniard demonstrated superb vision and passing, and on another day, he could have had three or four assists to his name.

Alexis Sanchez: A

Another brilliant display from Alexis. Wenger could have handed his star man a rest, but there were no signs of fatigue, as he was a bundle of energy and got a goal and an assist.

Reaction

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Wenger: "It was a positive game and we created many chances. Overall we had a good collective performance" #AFCvHCFC

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) January 4, 2015"

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Boss on @Alexis_Sanchez: "He's lively, always dangerous and played a part in both the goals. He has a good fighting spirit" #AFCvHCFC

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) January 4, 2015"

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Wenger on @theowalcott: "There were some positive signs - you could see he has not lost the timing of his runs. It will come" #AFCvHCFC

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) January 4, 2015"