Reliving the 2014 FA Cup Final – Arsenal v Hull City

Coming into the 2014 FA Cup Final, there was a mountain of pressure on Arsenal. Arsene Wenger‘s men had been trophy less for 9 successive years, despite coming close on a number of occasions. Arsenal were the overwhelming favourites, to the point where a loss was inexcusable.

But on May 17 2014, all of this was out of the window. The mood amongst the fans was a rare fusion of anticipation and dread. A feeling only encountered in a cup final or a derby. Despite their desperation to finally celebrate a piece of silverware after 9 years of desolation, fans were tense, still scarred by the two recent cup final heartbreaks.

This was so much more than any ordinary FA Cup Final. For the fans, it was an opportunity to have their day in the sun, which they had been unable to relish for 9 excruciating years. For the players, it was a chance to win their first trophy for Arsenal. The likes of Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey and Wojciech Szczesny would have just reward for their service to the club. As would Bacary Sagna in his final game in red and white. Finally, for Arsene Wenger, he would have the opportunity to deservedly clench a trophy after a tumultuous decade.

It was the opportunity to atone for 9 years of heartache. To provide the manager and the fans the success they deserve. It was an opportunity that they could not pass up.

MATCH OVERVIEW

Squads:

Arsenal: Lukasz Fabianski; Bacary Sagna, Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny, Kieran Gibbs; Mikel Arteta (c), Aaron Ramsey; Santi Cazorla, Mesut Ozil, Lukas Podolski; Olivier Giroud.

Substitutes:

’61: Yaya Sanogo on for Podolski

‘105 Tomas Rosicky on for Cazorla

‘105 Jack Wilshere on for Ozil

Hull City: Allan McGregor; Ahmed Elmohamady, James Chester, Alex Bruce, Curtis Davies (c), Liam Rosenior; Jake Livermore, Tom Huddlestone, David Meyler; Stephen Quinn; Matty Fryatt

Substitutes: 

’67 Paul McShane on for Bruce

’75 Sone Aluko on for Quinn

‘102 George Boyd on for Rosenior

FIRST HALF:

‘3: A floating corner delivered by Stephen Quinn falls to Tom Huddlestone, whose wayward volley falls at the feet of James Chester who sends it past Łukasz Fabiański in front of the Hull City fans.

1-0 to Hull City

‘8: Another delivery courtesy of Stephen Quinn is headed onto the post by Alex Bruce, with the rebound turned in by Curtis Davies past a scrambling Fabiański.

2-0 to Hull City. The Gunners left utterly bewildered.

’13: Another opportunity for Hull City from a corner, with a towering header by Alex Bruce fortunately headed clear by Kieran Gibbs off the line. The north Londoner’s lucky to reach the 15 minute mark with just the two goal deficit.

2-0 Hull City

’16: Arsenal’s array of creative midfielders successfully inspire a resurgence, with Santi Cazorla earning himself a free-kick from 30 yards out. The Spanish magician set himself as an air of anticipation engulfed Wembley. And with a superb strike Santi Cazorla left Allan McGregor flat-footed. Arsenal fans brimming with both relief and jubilation, as Hull’s lead narrowed to just the 1 goal.

2-1 Hull City

’22: An excellent showcase of link-up play by Olivier Giroud sets Lukas Podolski free on the left-flank. The German cuts it back for his compatriot Mesut Özil, who was unable to connect with it.

HALF-TIME: 

Going into the break, Arsenal still trailed by a singular goal. Neither side created many opportunities, with Hull’s goals originating from a corner and a wayward free-kick and Arsenal’s one goal coming via a free-kick. Arsenal were typically the more assertive team and were looking to utilise their immense creativity in midfield. However, they faced a stern and organised backline unwilling to budge an inch.

SECOND HALF:

 ’50: After a sustained spell of possession, Arsenal progress down the left flank from a chipped pass from Mikel Arteta, which falls at the feet of Mesut Ozil. The German looks for support but his cutback falls into no man’s land.

’58: Olivier Giroud appeals for a penalty after his attempt to head in a delivery from Kieran Gibbs is halted by a clumsy swinging arm by Tom Huddlestone. His cries were, however, refuted.

’70: Arsenal’s forward duo, comprised of Olivier Giroud and substitute Yaya Sanogo link up in the penalty area, with Sanogo nearly diverting Giroud’s cross past Allan McGregor at his near post, with the ball going out for a corner.

And following a scramble in the penalty area, Laurent Koscielny guides home a Bacary Sagna header, injuring himself in the process. Sparking scenes of absolute elation in the Arsenal section, Koscielny heroically levelled the scores.

Arsenal 2 – Hull City 2

’79: An eye of the needle pass from Yaya Sanogo falls to an open Kieran Gibbs, who seemed certain to hand Arsenal the ascendancy. But, in what was just about the most clear-cut opportunity in the game, Gibbs sprayed it well over the bar.

’82: A venomous volley from Olivier Giroud averted by Allan McGregor to collective groans from the Arsenal section. A sense of unease is festering.

’89: A bouncing and bobbling effort from Yaya Sanogo from the edge of the box beats McGregor, but just hits the woodwork. What an unlikely hero he would’ve been!

End of Regular Time:

The second half was one dominated by Arsene Wenger’s men. A goal, several denied penalty shouts and spurned chances. It appeared to be their game to lose. But after all, there is no room for complacency in the ever-unpredictable FA Cup.

EXTRA-TIME:

’93: An inch-perfect delivery from Aaron Ramsey is met by a towering Olivier Giroud, who’s header hits the crossbar. Unified groans emanate from the Arsenal fans. Perhaps that was their moment. As time ticked on, the anxiety and memories of Birmingham and Barcelona were increasingly present.

‘109: Aaron Ramsey wins the ball high up the field. Arsenal in desperate search for their cup clinching goal. Jack Wilshere plays a wonderful penetrative pass to Olivier Giroud, who then, with a signature backheel finds Aaron Ramey. The star man of Arsenal’s season. This was it, this was the chance. Arsenal fans fell silent, awaiting their moment to savour.

And there it was, a delicate toe-poke from Aaron Ramsey beat Allan McGregor sending Arsenal fans into an absolute frenzy. The players were no different. Passionate embraces from Jack Wilshere, Olivier Giroud and Mikel Arteta floored the hero, Aaron Ramsey. After 9 years of agony, surely this was their opportunity to revel at the moment.

Arsenal 3 – Hull City 2

‘115: But of course, it wouldn’t be Arsenal without a moment of utter madness. A seemingly mundane passage of play, in which Tom Huddlestone hoofed a ball out of Hull’s half, only for it to be mishandled by Per Mertesacker. But, with Hull players hounding after the loose ball, Lukasz Fabianski tries and fails to clean up the situation, leaving his goal abandoned. Arsenal were lucky to preserve their advantage.

FULL-TIME:

After years of utter heartache, Arsenal had finally done it. Mikel Arteta and co had delivered a much-deserved trophy to the red half of North London. Bacary Sagna, who had been a great servant to the club was farewelled with a trophy and a kiss on the forehead from Arsene Wenger as if to say goodbye.

Coming into the game, Arsene Wenger vowed that they would “give absolutely everything to make people happy” and they sure did. After all, this was more than just any ordinary cup final.