Hull vs Arsenal Preview, Team News, Likely Line-Ups, Key Man + Predicted Score

Arsenal take on Hull City at the KC Stadium tomorrow afternoon looking to cement their position in the top four. Here is a preview by Gooner Mac.

Champions League qualification is now back in our hands after Crystal Palace did us a huge favour by beating Everton on Wednesday night, and that result coupled with our 3-1 win over West Ham sees us sit one point clear in fourth with four games to go.

The win over the Hammers wasn’t ‘vintage Arsenal’ by any means and we were poor in the first half, but we did well to come from a goal-down and played some decent football after the break. Hopefully that second half display will give the players some confidence heading into this one.

This game has an interesting side plot as it’s a dress rehearsal for next months FA Cup final and no doubt Hull will be looking for a morale-boosting result prior to our clash at Wembley.

Steve Bruce’s side are currently 14th in the Premier League table and six points clear of the drop zone so are looking odds-on to avoid relegation, but they might feel they need another win just to make sure of staying in the top flight for another year.

Team News

Arsenal have been boosted by the return of Mesut Ozil with the playmaker back in the squad after six weeks out with a hamstring injury, although Arsene Wenger may opt to ease him back into action and introduce him as a second half substitute after such a long time out.

Mathieu Flamini is back after serving his two-match ban but the boss could go with Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta in midfield as this was the combination that served us well during the first half of the season.

Nacho Monreal is likely to return to the squad after a leg injury but Thomas Vermaelen could keep his place after impressing against West Ham in midweek.

Kieran Gibbs has been ruled out with a hamstring injury, so he joins Serge Gnabry, Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere on the sidelines.

Hull are expected to welcome back Shane Long and Nikica Jelavic after the pair were ineligible for their FA Cup win over Sheffield United last weekend.

Bruce is likely to play both strikers but will otherwise stick with the majority of the side that booked their place in the final at Wembley.

Likely Line-Ups

Key Man

Santi Cazorla: The Spaniard was in excellent form in midweek and if Ozil is left on the bench, we’ll be looking to him to once again provide the creative spark in the final third.

Predicted Score

Hull 1-2 Arsenal: The Tigers have a decent home record and will be well organised, but I think we should have just enough to grind out a vital three points.

What team would you go with and whats your predicted score? Share your views below…