Tigers Hold Holders To Draw

Hull City hold FA Cup holders Arsenal to a goalless draw at the Emirates Stadium, earning a replay at the KC.

Published 20th Feb 2016

Steve Bruce applauded his Hull side for earning an FA Cup replay against Arsenal - but does not know when it will fit into their fixture schedule.

Neither manager wanted an extra match to contend with but back-up goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic's efforts in the face of an Arsenal barrage ensured a goalless draw and a return match at the KC Stadium.

"I don't know when we're going to play it, with the fixture pile-up we've got," Bruce told BT Sport, "they deserved it for their effort and determination. Of course we rode our luck at times but the spirit and the 100 per cent effort they gave was outstanding.

"We keep drawing them, let's hope we can have the rub of the green at our place."

Jakupovic, deputising for Allan McGregor in a much-changed team, made a string of fine saves - most notably from Danny Welbeck's deflected shot and Joel Campbell's powerful free-kick.

"It was a great free-kick, to be fair," he said. "I thought he was going to shoot over the wall but I touched it with my fingers, the ball went onto the post, I was just happy it stayed out.

"My little daughter, my father and everybody is here.

"We knew from the beginning it would be a difficult game, we would be defending, we finally took the 0-0 and the rematch and I hope it will be the same."

Bruce said of the Bosnia-born Switzerland international: "He made some great saves.

"It's been frustrating for Eldin, he's never had a crack at playing regularly, but he's come in and made some great saves."

Captain Curtis Davies added: "Shot-stopping, Eldin's one of the best I've played with, and he put his body on the line today.

"It's very satisfying, to get a clean sheet is massive."