For the third season in a row, Arsenal will have to defeat Hull City if they are to win the FA Cup.

In 2014 the Gunners beat the Tigers in the final at Wembley before last year getting past Steve Bruce's side in the third round on their way to a record 12th success in the competition.

Arsenal

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The coming of February has brought about a downturn in form for Arsenal in recent seasons, but so far this year they have hardly faltered this month and the big games continue to come thick and fast.

February started with a disappointing goalless draw at home to Southampton, but since then Arsenal have won back-to-back Premier League games and last Sunday made a big statement in the title race.

Surprise leaders Leicester City were the visitors to the Emirates and after falling behind to a Jamie Vardy penalty in the first half, Arsenal roared back in the second and stole the points thanks to Danny Welbeck's last-gasp header on his first appearance of the season.

Although Arsene Wenger's side are still third in the table, they moved to within two points of Claudio Ranieri's Foxes at the top and they are only behind North London neighbours Tottenham Hotspur on goal difference.

In the remaining 10 days of this month, Arsenal will try to extend their 14-match winning streak in the FA Cup against Hull on Saturday lunchtime before welcoming European champions Barcelona in the Champions League last-16 first leg on Tuesday and then travelling to Premier League rivals Manchester United the following Sunday.

The Gunners have reached the last 16 of this year's FA Cup thanks to home wins over Sunderland and Burnley in January, and they will be confident of advancing to the quarter-finals having lost only one and won 11 of their last 14 matches at the Emirates.

If Arsenal do go on to win the Cup again this year, they will become the first team since Blackburn Rovers 130 years ago in 1886 to win it three times in a row.

Recent form: DLWDWW

Hull

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Arsenal at the Emirates for the second year running; they don't come much tougher than that for Steve Bruce and Hull, who went 2-0 up inside 10 minutes in the 2014 final before eventually losing 3-2 in extra time at Wembley.

When the Tigers travelled to Arsenal in the third round last year they were in the same division as the Gunners, but after relegation from the top flight last May they are now fighting to get themselves back into the big time and doing a pretty good job of it.

With 15 games of the Championship season to go, Hull are top of the pile and two points clear of Middlesbrough, who do have a game in hand on Bruce's side.

It is very tight at the top and on Tuesday night Hull had a chance to extend their lead over one of their main rivals, Brighton & Hove Albion, but it turned out to be a nervy affair with very few chances and finished 0-0 at the KC Stadium.

The tough fixtures keep on coming after Saturday's trip to North London, with Hull's next three games all against sides in the Championship's top eight - Ipswich Town, Sheffield Wednesday and Birmingham City.

The Tigers, whose 2014 appearance was the only time that they have reached the FA Cup final, are in the fifth round this season thanks to wins over Brighton and Bury in January.

They lost four away games in a row away from home in December but since then have won four out of five on the road.

Recent form: WWWLWD

Team News

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January signing Mohamed Elneny was keen to impress on his first Arsenal start in the last round against Burnley and could again be included from the off in midfield.

Elsewhere, Wenger is sure to make changes and rest some key players ahead of Barcelona's visit on Wednesday, but Welbeck could well start after his big impact against Leicester.

Bruce revealed earlier this week that Manchester United loanee Nick Powell will definitely be making his debut at the Emirates and also conceded that other changes would be made with games to come on Tuesday and Friday next week.

In attack, Bruce must decide whether to play his top scorer Abel Hernandez or continue with Adama Diomande, who has started the Tigers' two previous FA Cup games this season.

Chuba Akpom scored a hat-trick in the last round against Bury, but neither he nor Isaac Hayden will not available against their parent club.

Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Ospina; Bellerin, Chambers, Koscielny, Gibbs; Elneny, Flamini; Campbell, Iwobi, Welbeck; Walcott

Hull possible starting lineup:
McGregor; Odubajo, Maguire, Davies, Robertson; Elmohamady, Meyler, Huddlestone, Clucas; Powell; Diomande

Head To Head

These two last met in May last year when an Alexis Sanchez brace helped Arsenal win 3-1 at the KC Stadium and edge Hull ever closer to relegation.

In fact, Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 10 meetings with Hull, winning nine, since the Tigers won 2-1 at the Emirates in September 2008.

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We say: Arsenal 3-1 Hull

Arsenal are on quite some run in the FA Cup and although the first leg against Barcelona is just a few days away, Wenger's side should prove too strong for the Tigers, who also have plenty else to think about with their promotion charge and getting back to the big time.

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