Stalemate at the Emirates

Arsenal 0-0 Hull

Arsenal were involved in a poor quality goalless draw on Saturday as both they and Hull rested several first team regulars. While Arsene Wenger made a total of nine changes to his starting eleven, Steve Bruce went one better and rested ten, much to the detriment of the match.

The main problem for the Gunners was a lack of a cutting edge and fluidity in attack. Although the home side enjoyed plenty of possession, they just could not find the perfect final ball and ultimately suffered from a lack of ideas. Far too often, Arsenal would get to the final third and either pass the ball on the edge of the area, right across the pitch before losing possession or would cross the ball into the box towards a solitary red shirt in the area.

Having started with Danny Welbeck up front, Arsene Wenger also threw on Olivier Giroud, when the Englishman had tired during the second half, in an attempt to break the deadlock, but the Frenchman’s aerial prowess didn’t make any difference. The problem was that Giroud would always find himself isolated in the penalty area when crosses were delivered. Therefore fighting on his own for the ball, Giroud just couldn’t ever get enough power on the headers he did win and the goalkeeper was never in any danger of losing his clean sheet from any of Arsenal’s crosses. If the Gunners had decided that the best way to break down a stubborn Hull defence was to get the ball out wide and cross it into the box, then they should have realised that Giroud needed help and got more players into the box in support.

Had a midfielder run into the box, then they could have got themselves on the end of a loose ball or Giroud could have flicked a header into their path, as he did to great effect against Leicester the previous week, for Theo Walcott’s equaliser.

Unfortunately Arsenal just weren’t on their game. The number of changes led to a somewhat stale atmosphere within the crowd and the players appeared to struggle to get a rhythm to their game. Although Hull goalkeeper Jankopovic made a number of saves, none of those saves were extraordinary and most were extremely comfortable.

Arsenal did strike the post in the second half when Joel Campbell’s well taken free kick out foxed the goalkeeper but unfortunately came crashing back off the post. However this was a moment of quality which wasn’t to be replicated for the rest of the game. As the match wore on Wenger became more and more desperate for a breakthrough goal and threw Alexis Sanchez on from the bench.

Sanchez is a player who has the ability to change a game with a moment of outstanding quality but in this current state of form the Chilean is struggling to reach the high standards he has set himself. Unfortunately since returning to first team action following his injury, Sanchez has been distinctly off form. The former Barcelona man is clearly aware of this too and as a result is forcing things. When a player does this it is more likely his passes will go astray and his shots will fly high and wide of goal. Sanchez needs to relax and let his game come back naturally. If he can do this he will in time reach his superior level once again.

At the end of the game Arsenal were extremely frustrated to have to play a replay but only had themselves to blame. Their attacking play was far too slow and cumbersome and as a result they were unable to get the breakthrough goal that would have turned the match on its head.

Hull boss Steve Bruce was not happy with the replay either but his protestations after the match, at having to play another game were rather strange given the fact he made absolutely no attempt to win the game. His side sat deep throughout the entire 90 minutes and wasted time from the very first.

In any case Arsenal will have to get their act together before Tuesday night’s game at home to Barcelona. Since Christmas the Gunners have tended to struggle to find the back of the net on a regular basis and their lack of a clinical edge could cost them dear against the Spaniards as they will not enjoy a great deal of possession and will therefore need to make the most of any opportunities that come their way. Another game added to an already busy schedule is not exactly ideal, but at least Arsenal are still in the FA Cup and Danny Welbeck came through the game unscathed. The players must now put the frustration behind them and focus all their efforts on their most difficult game of the season. If they don’t it will be a very long night.