Arsenal 0 Hull City 0: Tigers earn FA Cup replay

Hull City's Nick Powell and Arsenal's Mathieu Flamini (left) in action.

An inspired performance from Eldin Jakupovic meant the two clubs could not be separated on an afternoon when the Tigers battled gamely to earn a replay.

The City goalkeeper kept out several efforts on goal by the holders, who must now travel to East Yorkshire next month.

City made ten changes from the side held in midweek by Brighton & Hove Albion but the Championship club still settled well.

Hull City fans on their mobile phones in the stands before the Emirates FA Cup, fifth round match.

With Steve Bruce employing three centre-backs, space was limited in the penalty area for Arsenal despite the hosts dominating possession.

Eldin Jakupovic was twice called into action during the first half, first to save a snapshot from Danny Welbeck and then to keep out a Theo Walcott effort with his right boot.

Both were decent saves and ensured the two sides went in level at the break, the Gunners’ only other chance of note being a curled shot from Alex Iwobi that curled just wide of the post

Hull’s best moment came just before half-time when Adama Diomande looked to be through on goal only for Lauren Koscielny to haul the striker to the ground and incur a booking.

Having dominated territorially and possession in the opening 45 minutes, the Gunners continued in the same vein after the restart.

Jakupovic had to save smartly from Walcott during an early onslaught, while David Meyler was fortunate to get away with a clumsy tackle on Calum Chambers inside the City penalty area.

Joel Campbell then struck a post after Jakupovic had got the slightest of touches on the Arsenal man’s free kick.

The City goalkeeper was at it again on 64 minutes to claw away an Alex Iwobi shot after he had cut in from the left before unleashing his effort from 20 yards.

Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain wasted a late chance by dragging a shot wide following a cushioned header from Olivier Giroud.

On a rare foray forward by City, Nick Powell drove a shot well wide before David Meyler fired into the side netting following a swift counter-attack.

It proved to be the visitors best chance but they still returned to the East Riding with their place in tomorrow’s quarter-final draw assured.

Arsenal: Ospina, Chambers, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Flamini, El-Nenny, Campbell, Iwobi, Welbeck, Walcott. Replacements: Giroud, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Sanchez, Monreal, Bellerin, Coquelin, Macey.

Hull: Jakupovic, Davies, Bruce, Maguire, Elmohamady, Maloney, Meyler, Taylor, Tymon, Powell, Diomande. Replacements: Odubajo, Huddlestone, Hernandez, Diame, Aluko, Robertson, Kuciak.

Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral)

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