Arsene Wenger Comments on Arsenal's Fixture List After FA Cup Draw with Hull

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said he is not concerned by his team's potential fixture backlog after the Gunners drew 0-0 with Hull City in the fifth-round of the FA Cup, as long as his squad stays fit and healthy in the weeks ahead. 

Hamish Mackay of the Mirror quoted the veteran coach after the goalless draw in north London, triggering a replay at the KC Stadium, and the Frenchman said he has faith in his playing staff to overcome additional matches:

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No [it is] not especially good news [having replay] but Hull defended very well. We were not incisive or accurate enough in our passing in the final third. As long as they did not concede, they maintained with how they played. We had 20 shots, 70 per cent possession but no goals.

I cannot influence the referee's decisions, only the technical quality of my team. If we have no injuries, we can cope with the fixtures.

I think FA Cup replays is a particularity of the English rules and you have to respect that.

The Hull goalkeeper was outstanding and kept them in the game. It would have been decided with them or us scoring a goal.

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Frank Augstein/Associated Press

Hull goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic was the hero of the hour and took his applause in front of the travelling fans at the end of the match, making several vital saves to avoid a hammering. His performance kept the Gunners at bay, resisting the best efforts of Wenger's men. 

Despite now having to play an extra match, Wenger admitted he likes the English rule, as quoted by ESPN FC's Miguel Delaney:

Frank Augstein/Associated Press

Danny Welbeck started his first game since returning from a long spell out with injury, and he was a constant menace from his left-sided attacking berth.

Hull struggled to earn a foothold in the match as the Gunners pushed forward, but their rigid defence largely dealt with waves of attack.

Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud were thrown on in the second half as Welbeck was replaced, but Arsenal simply couldn't find the back of the net despite having the lion's share of possession.

ESPN FC's Dale Johnson highlighted the difficulty the English governing body faces in scheduling the replay due to both team's current commitments and their inability to play on UEFA Champions League nights: 

Frank Augstein/Associated Press

In reflection, Arsenal fans will believe the fixture was one they should have prevailed in, and a Championship team should be dispatched every time at the Emirates Stadium.

The key to winning the Premier League is smart rotation during the campaign and avoiding extra domestic games through cup replays.

The Gunners have failed on the latter point and will have to do things the hard way as they juggle their heavy schedule at home and abroad.