Predicted line-ups:
Arsenal: Fabianski; Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs; Ramsey, Arteta; Ozil, Cazorla, Podolski; Giroud.
Alex Oxlade-Chambarlain and Jack Wilshere are slight doubts, but both are expected to reach full fitness by Saturday. Gnabry, Miyaichi, and Walcott are all sidelined due to injuries.
Hull: Harper; Bruce, Chester, Davies, Figueroa, Rosenior; Livermore, Huddlestone, Elmohamady; Boyd; Sagbo.
Shane Long and Nikica Jelavic are ineligible to play, while Robbie Brady, James Chester, and Sone Aluko are all struggling with injuries.
Betting Tip:
On paper this look like an easy win for Arsenal, an opportunity to finally put behind their dire years and lift silverware for the first time since 2005.
Arsenal have reached 18 FA Cup finals and won 10 of them, while Hull City finished 16th in the league and is a an FA final debutant at Wembley.
However, when the Gunners face Hull on Saturday, they will be reminded of last year’s Wigan upset over Manchester City, and of their own arrogance in 2011, when they managed to let the Carlin Cup final slip away against Birmingham.
Although Hull’s record against Arsenal this season falls short of impressive, having lost both games at home and at the Emirates, Steve Bruce’s men will be determined to emulate Wigan, who also managed to squeeze every bit of effort out of the Gunners in the semi-finals this year.
Prepare for a concentrated and calculated Arsene Wenger side to pursue an attacking strategy right from the get go, and place Hull under constant barrage, while the Tigers will attempt to close off the flanks and lurk for counter attacks.
Prediction: Arsenal 2 – Hull 1
Some essential facts to help with online betting:
Since the league was founded in 1888, there has been at least one top-flight side in every FA Cup final – both Arsenal and Hull overcame lower league opposition in the semi finals.
Arsene Wenger will be managing Arsenal for his 10th overall final and his sixth FA Cup final.
This will be Hull City’s first ever appearance in an FA Cup final – they will be the 57th different side to play in the final of this competition.
Arsenal have won two of their previous five FA Cup clashes with Hull City (drawing two and losing the other). Other than their meeting in 2009, they have not met in the competition since 1930.
The last seven FA Cup finals have been won by a single goal margin and produced just 11 goals.
The last six finals have been determined in normal time. The last final to require extra time was in 2007 when Chelsea beat Manchester Unietd. The last one to need penalties was in 2006 when Liverpool beat West Ham United in a spot-kick finish.
The Gunners have lifted the trophy on five of their last six appearances in the FA Cup final.
Just one of the last five debuting finalists have won the trophy, although that was Wigan Athletic last year.
Arsenal have scored 19 goals in their last eight matches against Hull City in all competitions.
Hull have scored just once in their last four clashes with Arsenal in all competitions.
Hull’s six games in the 2014 FA Cup have produced 20 goals in total.
Olivier Giroud has scored five goals in his last six FA Cup games, including three in four substitute appearances this season.
Lukas Podolski has scored four goals in five FA Cup games for Arsenal.