Arsenal 1-0 Hull: Odegaard 72
Again, pushed to the edge, Arsenal showed they have just enough to wring out a victory. After 72 minutes against a Hull team that made life as tough as possible for them, Mikel Arteta’s side finally found the breakthrough courtesy of Martin Odegaard, who reacted well to finish after Noni Madueke had tested Konstantinos Tzolakis.
The result keeps Arsenal firmly in control at the top of the table. They have now matched their club record of 27 points from their first 10 league games and will head into the international break with a healthy advantage over Manchester City.
Hull arrived at the Emirates without a league win since August, and their recent record against Arsenal offered little encouragement. They had not beaten the Gunners in 14 attempts since their first visit to the ground in 2008. Yet Sergej Jakirovic’s side came close to ending that run with a performance full of commitment.
Set up in a 5-3-2 formation, Hull made the better opening. John Egan went close with a header from a corner as Arsenal struggled to settle. Arteta had restored the side that beat Liverpool at Anfield the previous weekend after Arsenal’s defeat to Brighton before the last international break. William Saliba remained absent from the squad as he continued his recovery from a back injury.
Arsenal found it difficult to break through Hull’s defensive line. Gabriel Magalhaes almost connected with a set-piece delivery, but the visitors remained organised and dangerous on the break. Elliot Stroud forced David Raya into a save after Riccardo Calafiori lost possession.
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Declan Rice sent a header direct at Tzolakis as Arsenal tried to increase the pressure. Then Christos Tzolis fired meekly into the goalie’s hands, before Kai Havertz failed to make the most of a clever pass from Martin Odegaard.
The frustration around the Emirates grew as Arsenal struggled to find a way through. The home side thought they had finally been handed an opportunity just before the break. Referee Farai Hallam was sent to the VAR monitor after Nobel Mendy pulled Havertz’s shirt inside the penalty area.
Hallam confirmed the foul but ruled that Havertz had been offside. Hull continued to frustrate Arsenal after the interval. Jakirovic received a yellow card for protesting against another decision, and Madueke saw a shot saved by Tzolakis after a promising attacking move.
Arteta turned to his bench in search of a breakthrough and Eberechi Eze fired over shortly after coming on, but Arsenal had nothing until Madueke, and then Odegaard.
