Arsenal v Hull
Play By Play
Does that sound familiar? It finishes 1-0 to the Arsenal against a resolute Hull City side, and the Gunners head into the international break top of the Premier League after winning nine of their opening 10 matches. Yet again, it was far from straightforward for Arteta's men, who have now won six league games by a single-goal margin this season. Hull carried a threat at times, generating 0.34 xG, most notably through Stroud, who forced Raya into a first-half save, but their primary objective was to disrupt Arsenal's rhythm and they executed that game plan impressively. With the home crowd growing anxious and chances at a premium, Odegaard delivered a captain's contribution, reacting quickest to turn Madueke's parried effort into the back of the net with less than 20 minutes remaining. Madueke was Arsenal's liveliest attacking outlet throughout the afternoon and should have put the result beyond doubt late on, only to be denied after attempting to round Tzolakis. In the end, Arsenal's 1.08 xG was enough to secure another vital three points. The Gunners return to action against Newcastle after the international break, while Hull, who slip to 13th for now, host high-flying Brighton next time out. That's all from us here – until next time, goodbye!
FULL-TIME: ARSENAL 1-0 HULL CITY
Bizarrely, Eze is on the floor after appearing to win a free-kick, but Merino takes it quickly and picks out Madueke at the back post. The England international brings it down brilliantly, only to go to ground under minimal contact from Giles. The touch is just enough to disrupt him, and he can't get his shot away as cleanly as he would have liked.
Slater finds himself in space inside the area after the ball breaks kindly off Gelhardt, but Gabriel comes storming across to force the Hull midfielder away from danger and out of the box. The visitors look to keep the pressure on, only for Norton-Cuffy to bring down Merino and hand Arsenal a valuable free-kick inside their own area.
We're into at least four minutes of added time at the conclusion of this one.
Arsenal make their final change of the afternoon as Guimaraes makes way for Zubimendi.
ARSENAL HAVE TO SCORE! All of a sudden there are red-and-white shirts flooding forward from every angle. Gyokeres starts the move before feeding Eze, who in turn slips in Merino, who then finds Madueke through on goal with a deft flick. The England international looks certain to seal the points as he rounds Tzolakis with a clever dummy, but the Hull goalkeeper sticks out a vital foot to take just enough pace off the ball. It trickles agonisingly towards goal before Norton-Cuffy races back to hack it clear on the line.
After a spell of possession, Norton-Cuffy looks to sling a cross into the box from the right-hand side, but Raya relieves the pressure emphatically. The Arsenal goalkeeper comes off his line with authority and claims cleanly.
You sense that one goal may well be enough for Arsenal, but they'll be desperate for a second with Hull now having nothing to lose. All it takes is one moment from the Tigers and this contest is level again. Jakirovic's side have the ball now too, and the visitors will fancy their chances of carving out one final opportunity.
Gyokeres finds a yard of space and shifts onto his favoured right foot, but his low strike lacks the placement to trouble Tzolakis. The Hull goalkeeper is equal to it once again, gathering comfortably as he continues an impressive afternoon between the posts.
Madueke wins Arsenal another corner after his effort deflects behind, and Odegaard takes charge of the set-piece. Gabriel's presence immediately causes problems, but the Brazilian cannot apply the finishing touch as Hull survive the latest scare.
SAVED! Merino arrows a powerful effort towards the bottom-left corner, but Tzolakis gets down superbly to make his seventh save of the afternoon and keep Hull in the contest.
Hull are winless in their last seven Premier League matches (D5 L2) after beginning the campaign with back-to-back victories. Yet Jakirovic's side will hardly be judged on afternoons like this, and even if they were, they have given an excellent account of themselves at the home of the champions. With around 15 minutes still remaining, the Tigers remain firmly in the contest and will believe there is still time to find an equaliser.
Iroegbunam also makes way for Mouzakitis.
Stroud is now replaced by Giles.
Madueke breezes past Stroud and suddenly has green grass ahead of him, prompting a desperate shirt pull from the Hull defender. It's a cynical challenge, and a yellow card is the inevitable outcome.
GOOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLL!!!! ODEGAARD WITH A CAPTAIN'S CONTRIBUTION! 1-0 TO ARSENAL! Arsenal's patience has finally been rewarded, and it's their captain who produces the breakthrough. Madueke, who has been a constant threat all afternoon, drives a powerful effort towards goal that Tzolakis can only parry into a dangerous area. The loose ball falls kindly for Odegaard, who arrives at full speed and keeps his composure amid a crowd of bodies to slip a right-footed finish into the back of the net. Hull have defended heroically for much of the afternoon, but the visitors are finally breached by the champions.
Hincapie drives a dangerous ball across the face of goal that Tzolakis does well to deal with, before fellow substitute Eze picks up the loose ball and tries his luck from distance. The England international looks to bend one towards the top-right corner, but his effort was always rising. That's the kind of impact Arteta is looking for, though.
Calafiori also departs, with Hincapie introduced.
Tzolis has been a constant threat for Arsenal, but his wait for a first goal in red and white goes on as Eze is introduced in search of a breakthrough.
Ajayi does make way, with Herrington thrown on in his place.
Ajayi goes down and signals to the bench for medical attention, which is rarely a good sign. The Hull defender looks unable to continue, and it appears Jakirovic will be forced into another change.
Mendy flies into a challenge on Odegaard as Hull regain possession on halfway, leaving the Arsenal captain crumpled on the turf. The referee continues to let play roll on.
Gyokeres may feel a little unfortunate not to have been handed a start after his influential display in Prague, but Arteta now turns to the Swedish striker in search of a breakthrough. He replaces Havertz.
