Arsenal maintained their impressive Premier League title push with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Hull City at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday….
Arsenal maintained their impressive Premier League title push with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Hull City at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
Captain Martin Ødegaard scored the decisive goal in the 72nd minute to break Hull’s stubborn resistance and secure three valuable points for Mikel Arteta’s side.
The victory takes Arsenal to 27 points from 10 matches, opening a six-point gap at the top of the table ahead of Manchester City’s meeting with Nottingham Forest.
Hull, who travelled to north London hoping to frustrate the league leaders, defended resolutely for much of the contest but eventually succumbed to Arsenal’s sustained pressure.
The visitors made an encouraging start and threatened early through Elliot Stroud, whose effort forced Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya into a good save.
Mohamed-Ali Cho also saw his follow-up attempt blocked as Hull showed they were not prepared to simply sit back.
Arsenal gradually took control of possession, with Noni Madueke providing an attacking outlet down the right flank. However, the hosts struggled to translate their dominance into clear-cut opportunities.
Declan Rice tested Hull goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis, while Christos Tzolis wasted a promising opportunity after a well-worked move involving Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber.
Havertz also failed to capitalise on a superb pass from Ødegaard, taking too long to get his shot away and allowing the Hull defence to recover.
The German striker was again at the centre of attention shortly before half-time when he was pulled by Hull defender Nobel Mendy inside the penalty area.
Referee Farai Hallam was advised to review the incident on the pitchside monitor following a VAR intervention.
Although the shirt pull was established, the penalty was not awarded because Havertz had been caught offside in the build-up.
Arsenal went into the break frustrated, having enjoyed considerable possession without finding a breakthrough.
The second half began with Arsenal increasing the tempo as Arteta’s men searched for the opening goal.
Madueke continued to cause problems for the Hull defence, forcing Tzolakis into another important save with a low effort.
Tzolis also tested the goalkeeper, but the visitors remained organised and committed bodies to blocking Arsenal’s attempts.
With the breakthrough proving elusive, Arteta introduced Viktor Gyökeres and Mikel Merino in the 63rd minute, replacing Havertz and Rice.
Eberechi Eze and Piero Hincapié were subsequently brought on for Tzolis and Riccardo Calafiori in the 69th minute as Arsenal sought fresh attacking impetus.
The changes eventually paid off in the 72nd minute.
Madueke produced another dangerous attacking run before unleashing a shot towards goal.
Tzolakis managed to parry the effort, but Ødegaard reacted quickest to the rebound and fired into the net to give Arsenal the lead.
It was the Norwegian captain’s fifth goal of the season and a crucial breakthrough for the Premier League leaders.
Hull attempted to respond, making further substitutions in search of an equaliser, but Arsenal remained in control and continued to threaten on the counter-attack.
Madueke had an opportunity to put the result beyond doubt after a clever combination involving Eze, Ødegaard and Merino, but the winger failed to convert after attempting to round the goalkeeper.
Gyökeres, Merino and Eze also tested Tzolakis as Arsenal looked for a second goal.
Hull pushed forward during the closing stages but struggled to create a clear opportunity to trouble Raya, who helped Arsenal preserve another clean sheet.
The final whistle confirmed a narrow but important victory for Arteta’s side, who extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table to six points.
Arsenal finished the match with 68 per cent possession, 21 shots and 10 efforts on target, compared with Hull’s seven attempts and two on target.
The result leaves Arsenal on 27 points from 10 matches, having won nine and lost one, while Hull remain on 11 points.
For Arteta, the victory represents another important step in Arsenal’s title campaign, while Hull manager Sergej Jakirović will take encouragement from his side’s defensive performance despite leaving the Emirates without a point.
