Arsenal moved six points clear at the top of the Premier League after captain Martin Odegaard scored the decisive goal in a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Hull City at Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta made six changes as he restored the team that defeated Liverpool 1-0 last weekend, but Arsenal struggled to find their rhythm against a Hull side still searching for their first win since August.
The visitors made the brighter start. John Egan met an early cross into the penalty area but his effort struck the side-netting within minutes of kick-off.
Arsenal had a strong opportunity of their own after six minutes when Gabriel arrived at the back post to meet a dangerous delivery, only to fail to convert.
The hosts continued to misplace passes as Hull remained a threat on the break. Oli McBurnie found Elliot Stroud with one attack, forcing Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya into a save.
Declan Rice and Christos Tzolis both had opportunities before half-time, but the main talking point of the opening period came when Nobel Mendy appeared to pull Kai Havertz’s shirt inside the penalty area.
Play was initially allowed to continue before referee Farai Hallam was sent to the pitchside monitor by VAR. However, the decision went against Arsenal after Havertz was judged to have been offside before the foul, with the official awarding Hull a free-kick instead. The ruling was greeted with disbelief by the home supporters and Havertz.
Noni Madueke, who was not selected by Thomas Tuchel for England’s international break, provided Arsenal’s main attacking threat throughout the game. The forward tested Hull goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis before playing a key role in the winning goal.
Madueke created the opening for Odegaard, whose first effort was saved. The Arsenal captain reacted quickest, chasing down the loose ball before poking it into the net for his second league goal of the season.
Hull had to withstand further pressure late on, while Arsenal also appealed for a penalty in stoppage time when substitutes Eberechi Eze and Madueke went down in the box. The referee waved away the claims, a decision supported by VAR.
The result gave Arsenal all three points and extended their advantage at the summit to six points. Hull, meanwhile, have now gone nine matches in all competitions without a victory, increasing the pressure on manager Sergej Jakirovic.
After the international break, Arsenal travel to face Matthias Jaissle’s Newcastle United. Hull City will host Brighton & Hove Albion at the MKM Stadium.
