Arsenal’s 4-0 victory over Hull City at the KC Stadium took the FA Cup holders into a quarter-final on Sunday against Watford at the Emirates. Yet Arsène Wenger was forced to claim he had nothing to be scared of following a banner that appeared from the travelling fans which said: “Arsène, thanks for the memories but it’s time to say goodbye.”
When asked about the banner after the game Wenger was defiant. “There’s nothing disappointing for me,” the manager said. “I do my job. Look at the history of the club, since the club exists, and you will see that I have nothing to be scared of. I don’t care. I do not want to speak about that because it is always the same story. It is enough now. If you have any questions ask other people. Do you know someone who has won it [the FA Cup] more than me?
“We judge the season afterwards and I’m quite amazed so many people judge it so early. We have not given up anywhere and you will see that in the coming weeks. This club has been in a much worse position than it is today.”
The manager may have lost Aaron Ramsey due to a thigh injury, the Welshman having replaced Gabriel, who has a hamstring problem. Per Mertesacker was forced off, too, with a head injury and Nacho Monreal, the German’s replacement, may be ruled out as he was seen limping after the game.
Two goals each from Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott took the winners of the trophy for the past two seasons into the sixth round, in a fifth-round replay that followed last month’s goalless draw. Yet Wenger entered the game under pressure due to a disappointing run of five matches without a win. This had left Arsenal eight points behind the Premier League leaders, Leicester City, and facing a 2-0 deficit to Barcelona before next week’s Champions League last-16 second leg.
Of his injured players, Wenger said: “Mertesacker has a cut on his eye so he should be fine. Gabriel [hamstring problem] looks all right. Ramsey looks most serious.”
Giroud had celebrated the birth of a son on Monday night. “I was tempted with that [not to play him],” said Wenger. “You make a decision and hope it’s the right one. He always wants to play. Giroud had been a while without a goal. He became a father last night and it certainly gave him a little euphoria.”