Arsenal run into new injury crisis after win over Hull

Hull City 0 Arsenal 4

A pair of goals each from Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott eased Arsenal into the quarter-final of the FA Cup, but the win came at a price. Manager Arsene Wenger admitted afterwards he was "shocked" by the number of injuries picked up by his players ahead of the last-eight clash at home to Watford on Sunday.

Aaron Ramsey (thigh injury), Gabriel (hamstring) and Per Mertesacker (head wound) all withdrew from the fray while Nacho Monreal was also hobbling by the end of the night.

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The injuries to Gabriel and Mertesacker will worry Wenger most, what with fellow centre-back Laurent Koscielny already sidelined with a calf problem. But according to the Gunners boss the pair have a good chance of making the squad for Sunday.

Ramsey's prognosis is not so good, with the Welshman requiring a medical today to determine the extent of his muscular thigh injury.

The win will relieve some of the pressure on Wenger's shoulders, as it will Giroud's, who scored his first goals for the club in 12 games. The French striker celebrated his first – a gift provided by a wayward backpass from Hull's David Meyler – by simulating the rocking of a cradle, and he later revealed why.

"My wife has given birth yesterday but I wanted to play this game and I'm very happy for the team we did a great performance," explained Giroud, who has named his son Evan. "I made sure they're very well before leaving and I'm pleased to be back on the scoresheet. It's been a long time I've not scored."

Giroud's goal, four minutes before half-time, broke the deadlock between the two sides left over from the goalless first tie ten days ago at the Emirates. Three more goals followed in the second-half, the first from Giroud and then a double from Theo Walcott, who had also experienced something of a goal drought prior to the replay.

But his first goals in five games ensured there was no upset against the Championship side, and keeps Arsenal on course for an historic third consecutive FA Cup title, a feat that hasn't been achieved since Blackburn Rovers won three in a row in the 1880s, an era when the competition was a minor event.

"In the first half we needed patience because they played very deep, similar to when we played at Emirates Stadium," said Wenger. "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."

Yet despite the victory there were more questions in the post-match conference about his future, questions that brought a swift retort from a clearly irritated Frenchman. "Can you name me one person who has won it [the FA Cup] more than me?" he snapped. "This club has been in a much better state since I have been here."