Arsenal’s Bid for Another FA Cup Title Will Include an Extra Match


Arsenal’s bid for a third straight FA Cup title was checked by a frustrating 0-0 draw against Hull in the fifth round on Saturday, forcing the teams into yet another meeting in the competition and reigniting the debate over replays.

West Bromwich Albion exited in disgrace, though, losing by 3-1 at second-tier Reading before its captain, Chris Brunt, was struck near his eye by a coin thrown by one of his team’s supporters after the game.

“I was absolutely disgusted and ashamed,” Brunt, with a cut under his left eye, said of the incident.

The Premier League teams Everton and Watford also advanced to the quarterfinals.

Fielding a weakened team ahead of a Champions League last-16 match against Barcelona on Tuesday, Arsenal created many chances against second-tier Hull but was denied by a mixture of poor finishing and good goalkeeping from Eldin Jakupovic. Arsenal had 24 shots and Jakupovic saved 11 of them, including a tip onto the post from Joel Campbell’s shot.

It is the third straight year that Arsenal and Hull have met in the FA Cup. Arsenal won in the final in 2014 and also in the third round last season on its way to winning the trophy for a record 12th time.



source by: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/21/sports/soccer/arsenals-bid-for-another-fa-cup-title-will-include-an-extra-match.html?ref=soccer




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