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Written by Theo Andrew

Published: Sunday, 11 May 2014 18:24

Arsenal’s trip to Norwich today can be viewed as a mixed bag all round. With 4th placed tied up in the League and the trip to Wembley on the horizon, it was important to sustain momentum going into the final, and the lads pulled out a performance that will have done just that.

Team selection showed this, as it proved to be a fine line between resting players, whilst finding fitness and form for those who have been injured over the past few months. By resting Cazorla and the BFG, there were some interesting performances today that would merit a start at Wembley next weekend.

The Ratings

Lukas Fabianski - 8 - It will be fascinating to find out whether this was the warm up for the final for Fabianski, or whether Wenger was resting the big Pole for the special day. Either way he was impressive, making some big saves and coming off his line very well. It would be great to see him in Wembley for what could be his final game for the club.

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Written by Shane Thomas

Published: Sunday, 04 May 2014 15:45

As the FA Cup Final draws ever closer, the final two Premier League matches have functioned as a couple of tune-up fights for the big contest. As Arsenal bade farewell to The Emirates for another season, a rather nervy 1-0 victory was secured over West Brom.

Wojciech Szczesny - 7 – He didn't have a great deal to do, but was an immaculate performer in goal, also making a good save to deny Morgan Amalfitano in the second-half.

Bacary Sagna – 7 – In what will likely be his final showing at The Emirates, Sagna showed just why he's been such a reliable presence over the past 7 years. As the fans sung, “Bacary Sagna, we want you to stay.”

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Written by Charles Macpherson

Published: Sunday, 20 April 2014 18:00

Before the kick-off to the clash at the KC stadium murmurings of a conspiracy theory filled the air with Hull’s assurance of European football if Arsenal made the Top Four due to their position in the FA cup final, but in the end a well-rounded Gunners display saw them blow away the Tigers without the need of aid, and open up a four point gap above Everton.

If this was to be a FA cup final rehearsal then Wenger could not have been happier with his team who put in an excellent performance.

Hull is a very decent side. Bruce has steered them to an all but certain place in next seasons campaign and they have conceded just 16 goals in 17 home games. This, combined with the high number of minutes played by Arsenal in the last fortnight, and our poor defensive record away from home lately (15 goals in the last 5 away games), as well as Hull’s occasional ability to stun the big teams—a 3-1 win against league leaders Liverpool springing to mind, made this anything but a routine clash.

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Written by Shane Thomas

Published: Sunday, 20 April 2014 16:35

Arsenal's recovery continues apace, with an anxious start turning into a comfortable 3-0 victory against Hull, in what in some ways, was a tune-up for the FA Cup Final.

Wojciech Szczesny - 7 – Hull's early tactics consisted of a regular diet of crosses into the Arsenal penalty box, but the Pole was up to the task, commanding his area impressively.

Bacary Sagna – 7 – Sagna was put under a lot of pressure in the first third of the contest, but the Frenchman defended his flank impressively, also becoming a factor in the attacking third during the second-half.

Per Mertesacker – 7 – It was an uncharacteristically shaky start from Mertesacker, but he was more assured as Arsenal began to take control of the match.

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