Arsenal 1-0 Hull City: Report, result and goals as captain Odegaard delivers three more points for Gunners

Martin Odegaard scored a second-half winner as Arsenal overcame a stubborn Hull City side to secure a 1-0 win at the Emirates Stadium and move six points clear at the top of the Premier League.

The Gunners captain broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute, reacting quickest after Noni Madueke’s powerful effort was saved by Hull goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis.

Mikel Arteta’s side dominated possession but were repeatedly frustrated by the visitors, who produced an impressive defensive performance and threatened to cause an upset.

However, Arsenal eventually found a way through to extend their advantage over Manchester City, who face Nottingham Forest later on Saturday.

Hull frustrate Arsenal in competitive first half

Hull made a confident start and almost stunned the Emirates crowd inside the opening two minutes.

Regan Slater delivered an inviting corner towards the back post, where John Egan rose highest but could only direct his header into the side-netting.

Arsenal gradually established control of possession, with Madueke looking particularly dangerous down the right flank.

The England international delivered an early cross towards Ezri Konsa, whose touch sent the ball across goal, but Gabriel could not apply the finishing touch.

Hull continued to pose problems on the counter-attack and created another excellent opportunity in the 19th minute.

Oli McBurnie released Elliot Stroud into the penalty area, and the wing-back forced David Raya into a smart save from a tight angle.

Tim Iroegbunam reacted quickest to the rebound, but Declan Rice produced a crucial challenge to prevent the midfielder from converting.

Rice then went close at the other end when he collected a loose ball outside the penalty area and drove a powerful effort narrowly wide of the post.

Christos Tzolis forced Tzolakis into a comfortable save with a header before firing over the crossbar following an excellent cross from Jurrien Timber.

The game’s biggest talking point arrived shortly before half-time when Kai Havertz went down inside the penalty area under a challenge from Nobel Mendy.

Replays showed the Hull defender pulling the German’s shirt, prompting VAR to recommend an on-field review.

However, the officials subsequently identified Havertz in an offside position during the build-up, meaning no penalty could be awarded.

Arsenal almost broke the deadlock in stoppage time when Madueke delivered a cross towards Rice, but the midfielder’s header was comfortably gathered by Tzolakis.

Odegaard makes breakthrough

Arsenal emerged with greater attacking urgency after the restart, although Hull continued to threaten whenever they regained possession.

Mohamed-Ali Cho led a dangerous counter-attack following excellent hold-up play from McBurnie, but Konsa produced an important sliding block to deny the visitors.

Madueke remained Arsenal’s most threatening player and forced Tzolakis into an excellent save in the 57th minute.

The winger collected possession on the right before driving a powerful effort towards goal with his weaker foot, but the Hull goalkeeper reacted brilliantly to keep the scores level.

Tzolis then tried his luck from the edge of the area, only for Tzolakis to produce another smart stop.

Arteta responded by introducing Viktor Gyokeres and Mikel Merino in place of Havertz and Rice, before bringing on Eberechi Eze and Piero Hincapie.

The changes gave Arsenal fresh impetus, with the hosts continuing to increase the pressure on Hull’s defence.

Eze fired over from distance after Hincapie’s dangerous cross was cleared, while the visitors were forced into a defensive substitution when Semi Ajayi suffered an injury.

Arsenal’s persistence finally paid off in the 72nd minute.

Madueke drove another powerful shot towards goal, forcing Tzolakis to parry the ball into a dangerous area.

Odegaard reacted quickest inside the penalty box and calmly guided a right-footed finish into the net to give the hosts a deserved lead.

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Merino almost doubled Arsenal’s advantage six minutes later when he unleashed a powerful effort towards the bottom corner, but Tzolakis produced another excellent save.

Gyokeres also tested the goalkeeper with a low strike as Arsenal searched for a second goal to put the contest beyond doubt.

The hosts should have added another in the 87th minute following a brilliant attacking move involving Gyokeres, Eze and Merino.

Madueke was played through on goal and cleverly rounded Tzolakis, but the goalkeeper managed to get a foot to the ball before Brooke Norton-Cuffy raced back to clear off the line.

Hull pushed forward in stoppage time and briefly threatened when Slater found space inside the penalty area, but Gabriel produced an excellent recovery challenge to force him away from goal.

Upcoming fixtures for Arsenal and Hull City

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