LONDON, APRIL 20 (AGENCIES): Lukas Podolski scored another brace as Arsenal cruised to victory at KC Stadium - and gave themselves a psychological boost ahead of next month's FA Cup final.
The Gunners were at their clinical best and, having weathered an early storm from Hull City, they swept forward to take the lead through Aaron Ramsey, ably set up by Santi Cazorla.
Podolski rounded off a fine counter-attack to double Arsenal's lead before the break and then fired in a third after Ramsey's shot had been saved, the German taking his tally to four goals in two games.
These teams will meet again at Wembley on May 17 but this was about Premier League points and a chance to compete for an even greater prize - the Champions League - next season.
After an anxious few weeks, Arsenal are looking good for that top-four finish.
Arsène Wenger's major selection decision centred aroundMesut Ozil. The Germany star was back from a hamstring injury but would he start on the pitch or the bench? Wenger went for the former and made two further changes, drafting in Ramsey and Nacho Monreal. A minor hamstring problem ruled out Thomas Vermaelen whileKim Kallstrom and Tomas Rosicky dropped to the bench.Mathieu Flamini was among the substitutes after a two-match suspension.
Hull started the second half brightly and Bacary Sagna had to step in when half-time substitute Matty Fryatt got the wrong side of the Arsenal defence.
But for all the home side's endeavour, they lacked Arsenal's ruthlessness, and the point was hammered home nine minutes after the restart.
This time Cazorla got down the left and cut the ball back for Ramsey - one of a number of Arsenal bodies inside the box. His shot took a deflection and was well kept out by Harper, but Podolski kept his head to slot home the rebound.
Jelavic saw a shot deflected over as Hull tried to find a way back into the match but the visitors looked comfortable - and they could have extended their lead.
Harper's dithering allowed Giroud to block his clearance in the 64th minute, and the Frenchman was unfortunate to see his follow-up crash off the underside of the crossbar. Then Mertesacker's flicked header from Cazorla's free-kick flew just over. A thoroughly satisfying afternoon for the Gunners.
