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| Image Credit: Arsenal.com |
The Nigerian forward saw action for the entire duration of the game as the Gunners handed a 4-nil defeat to Hull City in their FA Cup replay.
The first leg of the encounter ended goalless at the Emirates, a game Iwobi also started.
This was a different night for the Londoners however, as two goals apiece from Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott ensured Arsenal’s progression to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup to face Watford.
Despite the victory, there was more negative for Arsenal as the trio of Per Mertesacker, Gabriel and Aaron Ramsey all picked up injuries.
Arsene Wenger was pleased with the victory but admitted that it had not come easy against a Hull City side that had not conceded a goal at home in 2016.
“In the first half we needed patience because they played very deep, similar to when we played at Emirates Stadium. The patience was important and to keep the ball moving and to get them tired and find the opening without being exposed to counter attacks,” the Arsenal manager told Arsenal Player.
“I would say our technical quality and mobility gave them many problems. We played at a higher pace technically and as long as we could maintain that they were in trouble.
With this game coming as the first of five in a hectic 12-day period, Wenger made changes to his side from the team that had drawn at Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday. Calum Chambers, Giroud and Alex Iwobi all coming in to replace Hector Bellerin, Danny Welbeck and Mesut Ozil.
It paid off as Arsenal were one-nil up by the end of the first half but struggled after the restart before the flurry of goals arrived.
“We had a difficult period at the start of the second half and then after that our technical superiority took over and we scored some convincing goals.
“We have another challenge on Sunday against Watford and hopefully we manage to do it again. Everyone loves this competition but it is difficult to be unbeaten and when you are beaten you are out”, Wenger said.
The excellent Iwobi was however denied a first senior goal with a flying save from the impressive Hull City goaltender Jakupovic in the second half.
