Szczesny - Hull will have point to prove

Wojciech Szczesny is looking forward to the start of Arsenal’s FA Cup campaign - but is well aware that Hull City will want to exact revenge on them.

The Gunners lifted the trophy last season after coming back from two goals down to beat Steve Bruce’s side in the final at Wembley.

Szczesny accepts that there will be added expectation on the team as cup holders, but insists they are up to the challenge.

“It’s a good pressure,” he told Arsenal Player. “You want to be winning trophies and then defending them, so we are looking forward to it.

“We showed last year we can put a consistent run together in the competition and win it, so we will be looking to do the same again.

“I am sure Hull will have a point to prove, so it will be an exciting game. But when we play in the FA Cup at home we are confident.

“We were very lucky that we got to play every single game at home last year, which was a massive advantage and part of the reason we got to the end. We will be confident but I’m sure they will want revenge.”

Szczesny was an unused substitute at Wembley in May, and admits he was as tense as anyone as he watched a dramatic final unfold.

“I was sitting on the bench and I can’t sit on the bench!” he said. “When I’m on the pitch I don’t get nervous at all, but on the bench I just hate it. I watch it and feel all these emotions from the side, so it is completely different.

“When we went 2-0 down, I was quite nervous! Obviously it was a massive relief when we scored the winner and you could see we were going to see it through because we looked strong in extra time.

“It was by far the best moment of my life. The parade and the night after the game were a couple of the best days of my life, too.”