Arsenal 1-0 Hull City: Report by Layth Yousif at the Emirates
Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard was the hero after his 72nd minute winner was the difference between the two sides in North London on Saturday afternoon.
Sergej Jakirovic’s creditable side battled gamely throughout but the Gunners Norway captain’s late winner finally broke Hull City’s obdurate resistance to further extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table.
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Before kick-off on Remembrance weekend, Arsenal chief of operations officer Karen Smart read the Ode of Remembrance, prior to Owain Watson playing a pitch perfect rendition of The Last Post, with wreaths laid by David Dade, head of Islington Veterans, as well as Hull City’s owner Acun Illcali.
Mikel Arteta made six changes from the team that beat Slavia Prague 2-1 in Prague this week with Kai Havertz selected ahead of Viktor Gyokeres up front.
While Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori, Bruno Guimaraes and Martin Odegaard were drafted in for Ben White, Piero Hincapie, Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino and Eberechi Eze, who all dropped to the bench.
Ezri Konsa started at centre back despite William Saliba returning to the squad as an unused substitute against Slavia, following his long term injury picked up at the World Cup, with the French defender not involved against Hull.
Mohamed Belloumi missed out for the visitors to be replaced by Mohamed-Ali Cho, who made his first Premier League start. While Lucas Gourna-Douath switched for Ryan Giles in the only change from the Tigers’ 2-2 draw at Ipswich.
Following a shapeless start Oli McBurnie kept a cross alive to feed the ball to Elliot Stroud. The Tigers No21 powered into the box to send a low shot across goal, which David Raya parried, with Calafiori blocking the rebound in the game’s first chance after 18 minutes.
Ten minutes later Declan Rice fizzed a low drive just past Konstantinos Tzolakis’ far post. Six minutes later the all-action Rice tested Hull’s Greek keeper again, this time from a free-kick after Lewis Coyle was booked by referee Farah Hallam after hauling down Christos Tzolis, but the Tigers 23-year-old former Olympiacos showstopper gathered safely. As the clock ticked towards the interval, Tzolis fired wildly over the bar before Hull’s then keeper saved from Rice’s header from Madueke’s cross moments before the interval, as the sides went into the break goalless.
Konsa performed an outstanding block on Hull’s Cho after the former Aston Villa defender tracked his run, emphatically thwarting the visitors, who had hoped to capitalise on Gabriel losing the ball on the halfway line. What a signing for Arsenal the 29-year-old has been since arriving in the summer.
As darkness started to fall in north London, Madueke fired at Hull’s keeper, who was equal to the task as the Gunners ramped up their intensity in a bid for victory.
Declan Rice is replaced by Mikel Merino and Kai Havertz is switched for Viktor Gyokeres as Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta makes a double sub just after the hour mark.
On 66 minutes Hull’s Lucas Gourna-Douath fired the ball at David Raya who gathered safely but the home side’s desire to earn all three points was made manifest with only 18 minutes remaining when Odegaard scored to break the deadlock. The Norwegian following up Madueke’s shot after Noni’s drive into the box with the Gunners skipper slotting home the rebound after Tigers keeper Tzolakis saved at his near post.
