On Tuesday night, Arsenal secured their place in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup with an ultimately dominant 4-0 victory over Hull City. In the original encounter, the Tigers earned a replay after holding the Gunners to a frustrating 0-0 draw at the Emirates Stadium but it was much easier for Arsene Wenger’s men in the return fixture.
Olivier Giroud netted a brace before fellow striker Theo Walcott also added a double in the second half to pile the misery on Steve Bruce’s side. Although Hull were always outsiders, the Tigers must have been quietly confident of recording a ‘cupset’ in front of their home supporters. Unfortunately for them, it just wasn’t to be.
Arsenal will now face Watford in the quarter-finals for a place in the semi-finals at Wembley Stadium. The Gunners defeated Quique Sanchez Flores’ side earlier in the campaign but in the FA Cup, anything can happen – and it frequently does. Arsenal will have to be at their very best to ensure they don’t crash out of the competition in front of a sell-out Emirates Stadium.
At the time of writing, punters placing a football bet on Arsenal at Coral’s website can get 5/2 on the Gunners to go all the way and lift the famous FA Cup crown for the third year in a row this season. After a number of disappointing campaigns, Arsenal fans have been spoilt in recent years and another Wembley triumph would certainly go down well with both the supporters and board.
Without a doubt, Wenger is under pressure but the FA Cup could be his saving grace once again. Arsenal fans are desperate to get their hands back on the Premier League title but the Gunners aren’t quite there just yet. With a world class striker, a central defender and cover in defensive midfield, Arsenal could finally put an end to their poor league run.
Having said that, the Gunners aren’t out of this season’s title race just yet. Arsenal could take inspiration from the “Invincibles” side of 2004 and produce one of the most memorable title challenges with a near-perfect record in the rest of the season. Both Leicester and Tottenham are currently looking strong but Arsenal are worth an outside bet. If you don’t fancy Wenger’s men to claw back the deficit but believe the Gunners will win certain games, you can pick any match to bet on at Coral’s website.
Can Arsenal go all the way this season? Of course they can. Whilst they mustn’t dismiss Watford completely, Wenger’s men may already have one eye on a potential semi-final at Wembley. The Gunners appear to be finding their feet right now and as the business end of the season approaches that can only be a good thing as Arsenal continue to fight on two fronts.
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I am sure you are right about two fronts but egg on all our faces if against all the odds and every prediction we record a 3-2 win over Messi et all. About the same odds as Leicester for the title in August 2015.
Wenger’s unpopularity with some is also frustration with high price and absentee owner – the latter really provokes wrath. Away in Colorado drawing his annual payment. The feeling remains that he was allowed in the back door to keep Usmanov out the front. Maybe that was a good thing but the disinterest offends. It also never changes so double trouble. Then putting his son on the Board as well. We are passionate about our Club. So is Wenger. So is Ken Friar but the owner – just another investment.
In my view Wenger needs to open out – needs to accept that the noisy aggressive banner unfurling are part of the picture. But there are many of us who are unsure and we need stroking and calming and pandering to. That is why Wenger needs to come out – not now but at the end of the season. He cannot tell us inner stories or details of transfers or club gossip but he can go out of his way to reassure – especially those of us, like myself, who really want him to succeed. Great if he does the Double – the Treble? – just saw a pig fly past my window.