Hull v Arsenal: Wigan’s demise is timely warning for Tigers

The Tigers, fresh from back-to-back wins over Crystal Palace and Liverpool, are the last of the sides under threat of the drop to play over the Bank Holiday weekend due to the home game with 
Arsenal being put back to tonight for live transmission by Sky.

Being without a game over the weekend meant Hull endured a Saturday afternoon that saw 
rivals Sunderland and Aston Villa win at home, while Leicester City also saw off a sorry Newcastle United.

Burnley and QPR lost and are all but down, but those other results mean Hull host the Gunners sitting just one point above the bottom three.

“We haven’t done it yet,” said the Hull manager. “For me, we still need a couple of results. We have Tottenham, Manchester United and Arsenal with Burnley sandwiched among them.

“To me, we still need to finish the job. We have a great chance, but we have not done it. The key is we have to keep believing that we have enough to stay here.”

Hull will be buoyed by their last two performances against the Gunners. In October, Bruce’s men came within a minute of beating Arsenal, who rescued a point through Danny Welbeck’s late equaliser at the Emirates.

Five months earlier, Hull raced into a 2-0 lead at Wembley in the FA Cup final only to be pegged back before the end of 90 minutes. Arsene Wenger’s side then clinched their first silverware in nine years when Aaron Ramsey broke East Yorkshire hearts in extra-time.

“I don’t think about the Cup final,” said Bruce. “It is too painful.

“I watched the tape of the final the following Tuesday with my good lady. That was when the disappointment really came. I couldn’t have been more pleased and proud with how we played on the day.

“But, after watching it back and realising how close we were, it was painful. I think we needed to go 10 or 15 more minutes before (Santi) Cazorla bent one over the wall (to make it 2-1 late in the first half).

“Had it got to half-time at 2-0, it might have been different. That gave them a lifeline and, for all their good play, we conceded from two set-pieces.

“It was a great day, but it would have been even greater if we had won.”

The priority tonight is league points and not avenging that Cup loss, Bruce insists, as Hull look to earn what would be an unprecedented third consecutive season in the top flight.

Bruce stressed ahead of the win at Selhurst Park how relegation would not lead to financial meltdown at the KC Stadium due to the wages of every player and member of the football staff being slashed by up to 50 per cent if the club returns to the Championship.

That said, there is no doubt how much brighter the future will be if Hull can remain in the Premier League – especially with a new, record-breaking TV deal set to kick-in ahead of 2016-17.

A glance at Bruce’s former club Wigan, FA Cup winners in 2013, but relegated from the Championship this season in 23rd place, also shows what can happen following demotion from the top flight.

“What happened to my old club is a real warning,” said the Tigers manager. “They went down (in 2013) and have gone again.

“Look at League One; there must be nine clubs who have been in the Premier League. Swindon, Barnsley, Oldham, Bradford … the list goes on.

“That shows you how difficult it is. I’ve got great affinity for Wigan and it disappoints me that they have slipped out of it. They won the FA Cup two years ago. It is a warning about what can happen. We are Hull, let’s not forget that.”

Hull are likely to welcome back top scorer Nikica Jelavic on the bench tonight after the Croat’s recent knee surgery.

Bruce, who also has David Meyler available after a three-game ban, will stick with the starting XI and formation that helped claimed the recent back-to-back wins that have transformed the club’s season.

He continued: “Not many teams in the Premier League play three at the back. But it suits us best.”

Last six games: Hull City DLLLWW, Arsenal WWWWWD.

Referee: Lee Mason (Lancashire).

Last time: Hull City 0 Arsenal 3; April 10, 2014; Premier League.