Arsenal routs Hull City in replay to reach FA Cup quarterfinals
HULL, England (AP) — Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott both scored twice as FA Cup holder Arsenal easily eliminated Hull on Tuesday, overcoming the second-tier side 4-0 to reach the quarterfinals at the second attempt.
After winning the fifth-round replay, Arsenal's quest for a third successive FA Cup title continues on Sunday with a home match against Watford.
Although Arsenal ended a five-match winless run, center backs Per Mertesacker and Gabriel Paulista, and midfielder Aaron Ramsey limped off.
Mertesacker was concussed in a clash of heads with Hull midfielder Nick Powell in the first half. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said he was concerned about Ramsey's thigh injury but believes Gabriel will be fine.
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The cup once again appears to be Arsenal's most realistic shot at silverware, having fallen eight points behind surprise Premier League leader Leicester and trailing Barcelona 2-0 in the Champions League round of 16.
Giroud's first goals since January 13 were key to this victory and they came a day after his partner gave birth to a boy.
The 29-year-old Giroud steered home a wayward pass from David Meyler four minutes before half time. Meyler had directed the ball back to Eldin Jakupovic and Giroud capitalized by rolling a right-footed shot past Hull's back-up goalkeeper.
Midway through the second half, the France striker fired home a cross from Walcott, who added gloss to the scoreline by turning a shot coolly into the net six minutes later and sending a deflected near-post strike past Jakupovic late on.
