James Chester’s neat flick and a powerful finish from Curtis Davies had Hull 2-0 up early on, but a superb Santi Cazorla free-kick soon gave the Gunners confidence.
Laurent Koscielny struck from close range to draw Arsenal level with a little under 20 minutes of normal time remaining, forcing two additional periods of play.
The Gunners secured success through Aaron Ramsey’s fine finish during the second half of extra time, bringing a nine-year trophy drought to an end.
Arsenal largely controlled the opening quarter-hour of the second half, having strong penalty appeals turned down when Huddlestone caught hold of Giroud’s neck and a corner from Cazorla struck the raised arms of Jake Livermore.
Arsenal, however, finally moved ahead four minutes into the second period of extra time, as Giroud’s back-flick set up Ramsey, who poked an excellent first-time finish past McGregor.
Sanogo pulled an effort wide before the Gunners almost conspired to gift Hull an equaliser. Per Mertesacker’s slip allowed substitute Sone Aluko to collect the ball and go past the onrushing Fabianski out wide, but the Londoner’s near-perfect finish squirted across the face of goal and away from danger.
Aluko came close once again before time ran out, his long-range drive forcing Fabianski to make a good stop.
On the break, the Gunners wasted a fine chance to secure the victory in style, but substitute Tomas Rosicky’s poor decision mattered not as, seconds later, the final whistle blew.
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