Arsene Wenger Happy With Arsenal Draw

Arsene Wenger lamented over Arsenal's poor finishing against Hull City on Saturday but the French manager said he was happy to take an FA Cup fifth-round replay after their goalless draw at the Emirates Stadium.

Wenger spoke in favour of replays prior to the game, suggesting the FA should keep it as it is following suggestions rules of the famous competition should change to ease fixture congestion. When asked if the replay was a nightmare, Wenger told reporters: A nightmare? No. It would have been a nightmare if we had gone out. The frustration is not to score. It's not what we wanted, the replay, but I'm happy to have it. I'm not as relaxed as I look, and I would be nervous or angry if I could change the result. It's not what I planned but it's how you respond and how you find the solution. If you don't have injuries, you can cope. If there are one or two injuries, then it could be a problem. But I like the English format and I like that you don't do it like anyone else. We need to be more efficient in the final third. We'll not have as much of the ball on Tuesday night (against Barcelona) so we'll need to be much more efficient when we do have it.

Arsenal were denied by a superb performance from Hull's second-choice goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic, who made 11 saves to preserve the clean sheet, and Wenger paid tribute to his performance. He said “They defended well and their keeper played well, but our final ball was maybe not good enough. When we got the ball in the final third, we needed a different solution. Hull did well, of course, but we have to look at ourselves as well”.

The Gunners face Barca at home on Tuesday before three Premier League games in a week against Manchester United, Swansea City and Tottenham.