EPL: Arsenal Edge Hull City 1-0 to Extend Lead at Top

Odegaard wins it for Arsenal at the Emirates against Hull City | Arsenal website

Arsenal moved six points clear at the top of the Premier League table after captain Martin Ødegaard scored a late winner to secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Hull City at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

The Norwegian midfielder struck in the 72nd minute, reacting quickest after Hull goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis failed to hold Noni Madueke’s effort, to break the visitors’ resistance.

The victory extended Arsenal’s winning run in the league to five matches and preserved their 100 per cent home record, a post match report on the Arsenal website noted this.

Hull, however, made the hosts work for the three points, threatening early and frustrating Arsenal for much of the encounter.

John Egan came close to giving the visitors an early lead when he headed narrowly wide from a corner, while former Arsenal academy player Semi Ajayi also tested goalkeeper David Raya with a headed effort.

Arsenal struggled to create clear-cut chances in the first half, with Declan Rice firing wide and Kai Havertz unable to control Ødegaard’s through-ball to get a shot away.

The hosts also had a penalty appeal overturned before the break after Havertz was pulled by a Hull defender inside the box. Referee Farai Hallam reviewed the incident at the pitchside monitor and identified a foul, but no penalty was awarded because Havertz was deemed offside.

Arsenal increased the pressure after the restart, with Madueke forcing a save from Tzolakis before Ødegaard capitalised on the goalkeeper’s failure to hold the winger’s subsequent effort.

The Gunners pushed for a second goal, but Madueke was denied by the goalkeeper after attempting to round him, before his follow-up effort was cleared off the line.

Arsenal held on to secure another clean sheet — their seventh in the Premier League this season — and strengthen their position at the summit.

The majority of the squad will now join their national teams for the international break before Arsenal return to league action away to Newcastle United on November 21.

They are also scheduled to face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on November 24.Odegaard wins it for Arsenal at the Emirates against Hull City | Arsenal website

Arsenal moved six points clear at the top of the Premier League table after captain Martin Ødegaard scored a late winner to secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Hull City at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

The Norwegian midfielder struck in the 72nd minute, reacting quickest after Hull goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis failed to hold Noni Madueke’s effort, to break the visitors’ resistance.

The victory extended Arsenal’s winning run in the league to five matches and preserved their 100 per cent home record, a post match report on the Arsenal website noted this.

Hull, however, made the hosts work for the three points, threatening early and frustrating Arsenal for much of the encounter.

John Egan came close to giving the visitors an early lead when he headed narrowly wide from a corner, while former Arsenal academy player Semi Ajayi also tested goalkeeper David Raya with a headed effort.

Arsenal struggled to create clear-cut chances in the first half, with Declan Rice firing wide and Kai Havertz unable to control Ødegaard’s through-ball to get a shot away.

The hosts also had a penalty appeal overturned before the break after Havertz was pulled by a Hull defender inside the box. Referee Farai Hallam reviewed the incident at the pitchside monitor and identified a foul, but no penalty was awarded because Havertz was deemed offside.

Arsenal increased the pressure after the restart, with Madueke forcing a save from Tzolakis before Ødegaard capitalised on the goalkeeper’s failure to hold the winger’s subsequent effort.

The Gunners pushed for a second goal, but Madueke was denied by the goalkeeper after attempting to round him, before his follow-up effort was cleared off the line.

Arsenal held on to secure another clean sheet — their seventh in the Premier League this season — and strengthen their position at the summit.

The majority of the squad will now join their national teams for the international break before Arsenal return to league action away to Newcastle United on November 21.

They are also scheduled to face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on November 24.