The FA Cup final between Arsenal and Hull will take place tomorrow – here are three key battles that will shape the result of the clash.
1) Giroud vs Davies
This will be a physical battle more than anything and it will be interesting to see who will win the war. Giroud relies on his strength and ability in the air, but they don’t get much better, aerially, than the Hull centre-half.
The Frenchman has had a long, strenuous season and may opt to let those around him do the running while he looks for gaps between Davies and his centre-back partner James Chester.
2) Huddlestone vs Ramsey
Huddlestone won’t put himself about too much, but he can easily dictate the tempo of a game by closing gaps, outmuscling opponents and using his superb passing facility. Arsenal will need an energetic player to close the Hull midfielder down and restrict his time on the ball.
Ramsey can offer that.
3) Elmohamady vs Gibbs
The Hull winger takes it upon himself to drive forward and get balls into the box, and it will be up to Gibbs to stop him. The positive thing for the Tigers is that the Egyptian can cross a ball from anywhere on the pitch, so can afford to drop a little deeper to escape Gibbs.