Gunners grit their path to salvation

KEVIN KILBANE knows a thing or two about winning crucial battles at the sharp end of the season.

The Ireland midfielder is a battle-hardened veteran of two successful survival campaigns with Wigan, so when he offers his thoughts on Arsenal’s chances of making a late challenge for the Premier League title, they should be noted.

Kilbane, having witnessed first hand Arsenal’s ability to churn out another crucial victory on his Hull debut here, believes Arsene Wenger’s team could still have a significant say in the outcome of the championship race.

The 31-year-old knows the cream generally rises to the top, which is exactly what happened at the KC stadium, as Hull seemed destined to hold the visitors to a draw and thus ruin any lingering hopes they had of catching leaders Liverpool and Manchester United.

Emmanuel Adebayor headed Arsenal in front in the 30th minute before Daniel Cousin equalised just before the hour mark with an equally impressive header.

Just when Wenger required some inspiration Robin van Persie duly delivered, creating two goals in the final eight minutes for Samir Nasri and substitute Nicklas Bendtner to secure the win that leaves Arsenal six points behind United and still in the hunt for honours.

Kilbane, for one, believes the north Londoners now have grit, as well as guile, as they bid to overhaul the leaders.

“They have Adebayor and van Persie who have a physical presence and that couldn’t be said about Arsenal a few years ago,” he said.

“As well as the ability the pass any side off the park they did go direct with van Persie and Denilson running on to the knockdowns from Adebayor and they have power to mix it up and it is a question of when to do it.

“They have a physical side to them but the players to open teams up. They have it both ways.

“I still don’t think they will win the title because I just think Manchester United are the strongest side in the Premier League but they have every chance of being thereabouts.”

Wenger is definitely not giving up and believes United will drop points between now and the end of the season. “This was the result we should have got at the Emirates but I believe the team has grown up since then,” he said.

“ Of course United will drop points. They won 1-0 against Wigan and 1-0 against Bolton in the last minute so that indicates they will drop points.

“They have a massive squad which is an advantage, but if they have injuries as we have, they will have the same problems.

“Nobody is just flying at the moment which is good because it gives hope to everybody. We don’t talk about the title, we just talk about the next game and focus on that.

“We have momentum, so let’s strengthen the belief in the team and see where we are in April. Everyone plays each other and we have some big games coming up.”

Hull appear to be in terminal decline following one league win in 13 outings but, bizarrely, still remain eighth in the table.

Manager Phil Brown, who was aggrieved at referee Alan Wiley’s decision to deny Hull a clear penalty when Johan Djourou flattened substitute Manucho, is aware of the warning signs. “Belief will carry us through,” he said. “We know how many points will keep us in this division.”

HULL (4-4-2): Myhill 7, Doyle 7, Ricketts 6, Turner 6, Kilbane 7, Ashbee 6, Mendy 8, France 6 (Fagan 82, 5), Halmosi 6 (Manucho 54, 7), Geovanni 6 (Garcia 87, 6), Cousin.

Subs Not Used: Dawson, Duke, Stelios, Folan.

ARSENAL (4-4-2): Almunia 7, Sagna 7, Toure 7, Djourou 7, Clichy 7, Eboue 6 (Bendtner 7, 69), Diaby 7, Denilson 6, Nasri 7, van Persie 9, Adebayor 8 (Song 87, 6).

Subs Not Used: Vela, Ramsey, Fabianski,

Gibbs, Merida.

REFEREE: Alan Wiley (Staffs) 6: Should have awarded Hull a penalty.

MATCH RATING: *** Hull pushed Arsenal all the way but the visitors’ class shone through in the end.