Arsenal’s recent slump came to the fore when the Gunners failed dismally against Hull at the Emirates, which forced Arsene Wenger’s squad to need to visit Hull last night, but despite the well-known lack of confidence from the Gunners they turned things around spectacularly and battered the Tigers 4-0 in the replay.
Arsene Wenger admitted that he considered leaving Olivier Giroud on the bench, but the French striker, who’s wife had had a son the night before, came good by putting away the first two goals. After Saturday’s draw at White Hart Lane, Wenger is hopeful that this now signals a return to form for his team. “We had a great game on Saturday and I was quite amazed by the response we got from that game. Overall, I believe that we do not always need confidence, you can play well when your confidence is not at the highest. Our job is to play and I believe that we have a great spirit in the team and we have shown that again tonight.
“Giroud had gone a while without a goal and that will help him tonight. He became [the father] of a young boy last night and that will certainly give him euphoria. Walcott scored which is good as well.
“I think in the end you make a decision and you hope it is the right one. I made the decision to play him and he wants to always play and all the other players want to play and that is quite normal. People are sometimes surprised that players want to play. Believe me, you don’t play at that level if you don’t want to play.”
Now we go on to face Watford in the next round this weekend, so let’s all hope that our confidence grows even further and we take yet another step to a historic third FA Cup trophy in a row….