Arsenal continue quest for third straight FA Cup win

Arsenal continue their quest to become the first side since the 19th century to win the FA Cup three times in a row this weekend when they take on a familiar foe in Hull City. The visitors sit top of the Championship and seemingly headed for a return to the Premier League but it is their FA Cup history with Arsenal that makes their fifth-round tie so appealing. Two years ago, Arsenal edged out Hull 3-2 in the final after extra time and last season, they eased through a third-round tie 2-0. This time, Arsenal will be heavily fancied to go through again, not least since they appear to have come through a bad patch in the league. Their 2-1 win over leaders Leicester last weekend put their title challenge back on track, with Danny Welbeck scoring the winner on his return after 10 months out through injury. Defender Per Mertesacker believes the return of Welbeck and other long-term absentees bodes well for Arsenal as they compete for trophies on three fronts. “We are happy to have Danny back now and a few others are not far away,” the German told Arsenal’s website. “We need our players - you could see that makes a difference. We’re happy to have at least him back and there’s more coming back as well.” Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny says the two previous FA Cup clashes with Hull should stand the Premier League side in good stead. “It will be a very important game for us,” Koscielny said. “We want to win. “After having some good memories against Hull City, we will try our best to have the same feeling again after the game.” The biggest clash of the weekend comes at Stamford Bridge where an improving Chelsea side take on a Manchester City side whose title challenge appears to be faltering at the worst possible time. City are already in the League Cup final but Chelsea’s 2-1 loss at Paris St Germain in the Champions League in midweek was their first under caretaker manager Guus Hiddink. Hiddink says he will not take any risks on the fitness of captain John Terry, who is nursing a hamstring injury, but Gary Cahill, who stepped in for Terry in the past two matches, says they can cope without him. “I played with Iva (Branislav Ivanovic, at centre half) in the Premier League and in the (2013 Europa League final) and was successful, so I don’t see it being a problem if John’s not available,” Cahill told ESPNFC. “Ideally we would have everyone available, all our strongest players.  Let’s see with John. But I’ve played with Iva in big games before, so I don’t see it being a problem.” Tottenham, riding high on confidence in second place in the Premier League, will expect to get past a stumbling Crystal Palace side at White Hart Lane.