Eight minutes into the 2014 Emirates FA Cup Final, Curtis Davies could have been forgiven for thinking he would soon hoist the trophy aloft at Wembley Stadium.
The Hull City skipper had just fired his side into a two-goal lead at Arsenal’s expense, sending shockwaves across the country.
After all, the Gunners had waltzed to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Hull at the KC Stadium just a month earlier and begun the Wembley Final as hefty favourites.
Arsenal v Hull City
The Emirates FA Cup
Fifth Round Proper
12.45pm, Saturday 20 February 2016
Emirates Stadium, Arsenal
Winners receive £180,000 from prize fund
Live on BT Sport
By Paddy von Behr
And that is a tag they would eventually justify, pulling two goals back before Aaron Ramsey punished tiring Tigers legs with the winner in the second half of extra time.
Arsenal then rubbed salt into those wounds last season with a 2-0 third round win at home to Hull in last season’s competition but now the scheduling gods have offered Steve Bruce’s side a third bite of the cherry.
Hull visit the Emirates Stadium on Saturday with a place in the quarter finals on offer and, as the days tick down, Davies cannot help but recall that famous Final.
"It was the biggest rollercoaster ever," said the defender.
"They were overwhelming favourites, especially having come to the KC a few weeks earlier and walked us off the pitch.
Highlights of the 2014 FA Cup Final between Arsenal and Hull City
"We had a point to prove and we couldn’t have dreamed of a better start. We were on cloud nine after that, but they got a goal back to calm things down and once Arsenal are relaxed, that’s when they play their best football.
"Going into extra time, they could bring on some internationals and we were dead on our feet, having given everything we had got. It was just a half-hour too far for us and fair play to Ramsey, it was a nice goal."
If there is a positive to be taken from two FA Cup defeats to the same opposition in as many years, it is familiarity may breed contempt for the Gunners.
Davies and Co though, know exactly what to expect from Arsene Wenger’s Premier League title challengers and exactly what mentality to take into the game.
"When you play Arsenal, you have to make sure you are ready for the challenge," he continued.
"They have got a strong squad and you need to make sure you are ready for that. For us it is going to be more tactical but we will go down there and give it a good go.
Emirates FA Cup highlights: Bury 1-3 Hull City
"When you are going to a place like the Emirates, you have got nothing to lose. The onus is on Arsenal, who have won it for the last two years and beaten us on the way both times. We will go there to set up solidly and put the pressure on them."
Then there is the small matter of Hull’s league campaign. These two met last season with the Tigers scrambling to avoid relegation, while this meeting falls against the backdrop of some searing form.
They will kick-off on Saturday lunchtime as Championship leaders, having reeled in Middlesbrough in recent weeks, and confidence is sky high.
Davies scores against the Gunners in the 2014 FA Cup Final at Wembley
"We are feeling good about things," added Davies. "A little while ago, Middlesbrough were top by five or six points with a game in hand so we have done quite well to close that gap.
"People say that when you are fighting for promotion, cups can be a distraction but if you are winning, you want that next game to come and the sooner it comes, the better.
"Hopefully we can go out there and give them a good game and, third time lucky, win it."
