Arsenal maintain push for top-four finish with victory at Hull

Hull could end up in Europe regardless of the FA Cup final result if Arsenal finish in the Uefa Champions League places

Arsenal's Lukas Podolski celebrates his second goal during the Premier League match against Hull City at The KC Stadium in Hull, England, on April 20, 2014. Lynne Cameron / AP Photo

Arsenal kept their top-four challenge on track with a routine 3-0 win over upcoming FA Cup final opponents Hull at the KC Stadium on Sunday.

Lukas Podolski scored two goals for the second straight match as Arsenal moved a step closer to securing the final Uefa Champions League place in the Premier League.

Arsenal’s finishing was clinical, with Aaron Ramsey setting the visitors on their way in the 31st minute before Podolski picked up where he left off in the 3-1 win over West Ham United on Tuesday.

The Germany international ran onto Ramsey’s chest-down and rifled a low shot into the corner on the stroke of half time and sealed victory in the 54th minute when Hull goalkeeper Steve Harper deflected a close-range shot from Ramsey into Podolski’s path.

The result moved Arsenal to 70 points and will boost their belief after what was a rehearsal for next month’s FA Cup final.

After a winless run of six games that knocked Arsenal out of title contention, Arsene Wenger’s side appear to be back in form just in time to clinch a 17th straight campaign in the Champions League.

Ramsey is back fit and Mesut Ozil returned to the starting line-up, giving Arsenal attacks more fizz and precision. Podolski is also getting a run in the team and he is coming through with goals.

“We have had to cope to five six players all out at the same time and we have done as well as we can,” Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said. “You live in the real world.”

Opposite number Steve Bruce was encouraged by his side’s performance but bemoaned what he saw as a game-changing decision by referee Jon Moss.

In the build-up to Podolski’s first goal, City striker Nikica Jelavic went down under Mikel Arteta’s challenge inside the Arsenal half. It looked a foul on first viewing and, while replays were less conclusive, Bruce was furious no free kick was given.

“The first goal, you have to say, it’s a typical Arsenal goal,” he said. “Sometimes you hold your hand up and say it’s a real quality goal.

“But the big turning point in the game, we’re talking about a refereeing decision again.

“I think everybody in the ground expected a free kick to be given, we didn’t get it and, again, a bit of quality from Arsenal – it’s a terrific finish from Podolski – and after playing really well we’re 2-0 down at half time.”

After Ramsey completed a flowing team move with a low strike from Santi Cazorla’s pass, Podolski delivered another precise finish after Ramsey brought down a long pass from Olivier Giroud.

Ramsey gave Hull’s defence no peace with his foraging runs and he was picked out by Cazorla with another, the Wales midfielder having a shot saved by Harper. The ball rebounded out to Podolski, who made no mistake.

Podolski, who took his tally to five goals in his past five games, is not taking anything for granted in the pursuit of fourth place.

“It’s important to get fourth place, but it’s important to go match-to-match,” he told Sky Sports.

“We now look forward to our next game against Newcastle because every game is important.”

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