Sun Dried Tomato Confiscated and Player Ratings

A spectator was relieved of his sun dried tomato on the way into the North Bank, but was allowed to keep his ample supply of chocolate and falafel. I was a bit surprised to hear this and asked my informant (Brian of the BOF) why they had done it. He thought it might be because they were in a jar. Well there is a lesson there, and that is to buy them in a tube next time. Well it was freezing cold but for once we were not outshouted as Hull had only brought down one bus load of supporters, it made such a nice change being able to sing "your support is not very good" rather than having to endure this taunt.    

Hull played like a team out to save energy for avoiding relegation in the coming weeks, and Arsenal played like a team out to save energy for avoiding missing out on the Wenger Cup in the coming weeks. In other words it was like a mid-table match played on a sunny late May afternoon. The only major difference being it was flipping freezing.

True Arsenal scored two goals without playing a striker, as none was available, but we have to hope that Monsieur Wenger doesn't see this as the way forward. BBC made this their match of the day, and I felt very envious of those fans who had stayed at home to watch it on the telly. My sympathies to the neutral, as Arsenal couldn't even be bothered to go 2 goals down and then stage a rousing fightback.

Wenger likes to entertain, but without Sanogo available he didn't dare take the risk. Well we are in the hat on Monday and it should be certain who we will play after the last third round match is played on Tuesday. Oh the magic of the cup.

Match ratings by Matty Sadler

Ospina - 6. Much improved from his last appearances vs. Southampton (ie League Cup). Confident, assertives. Didn't make many saves.

Bellerin - 6. Largely untroubled defensively. Got forward well.
Chambers - 6. Largely untroubled defensively. CB is his best position.
Mertesacker - 7. Largely untroubled defensively. Bonus mark for a great goal.
Monreal - 6. Largely untroubled defensively.

Coquelin - 6. Did well defensively. One or two loose passes. Silly booking at the end.
Rosicky - 7. Ran the show in the first half, dropped off in the second.

Walcott - 6. Rusty but got 75 minutes under his belt. Missed a sitter.
Cazorla - 7. Ran the show in the first half, dropped off in the second.
Campbell - 7. Much improved from his start vs. Southampton, but some bad decisions.

Alexis - 8. Ran himself into the ground, scored a great goal. We do lack a focal point when he is upfront though.

Oxlade-Chamberlain - 6. Lively but got a knock.
Akpom - N/A. Not on long.
Maitland-Niles - N/A. Not on long.

Absolutely battered them in the first half but typically only scored one. Hull came back into the game in the second half, but fortunately they lack any real top quality. Alexis put them to bed with a top goal.

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