Arsenal's new-found resilience was underlined last night as Arsene Wenger's side staged a late rally to overcome Hull and book a Wembley semi-final date with Chelsea.

Phil Brown's side were thwarted just as it looked they might survive a second-half Arsenal onslaught and reach the last four of the FA Cup for the first time in 79 years.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger made six changes to the side that beat Blackburn 4-0 on Saturday but gifted Russian playmaker Andrei Arshavin was fit to start, despite having stitches in a foot injury.

Nick Barmby's 13th-minute strike had given Hull hope of performing an encore to their September victory at the Emirates in the Premier League.

But Robin van Persie and William Gallas both found the net in the final quarter of an hour to send the Gunners through to the last four of the world's oldest knockout competition, as well as ensuring the club's first appearance at the new Wembley.

Semi-finals: Arsenal vs Chelsea (April 18); Manchester United vs Everton (April 19).

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