Martin Odegaard’s second-half strike gave Arsenal a hard-earned victory over Hull City at Emirates Stadium, moving the Gunners further clear at the summit of the Premier League.
Key takeaways
- Odegaard settled the contest in the 72nd minute after reacting first to a saved Noni Madueke effort.
- Arsenal were made to work for the result by a stubborn Hull side.
- Madueke came close to adding a late second, but Hull cleared the danger from their goal line.
- The win was Arsenal’s fifth consecutive league success since September.
- Manchester City could cut Arsenal’s six-point advantage when they play Nottingham Forest at 17:30 GMT on Saturday.
Odegaard breaks Hull resistance
The home team had struggled to find a way through for long periods, with Hull keeping Arsenal at bay in north London. The breakthrough eventually arrived 18 minutes from time when Madueke’s shot was stopped by goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis.
Odegaard was quickest to the loose ball and calmly converted the rebound to put Arsenal ahead in the 72nd minute.
Arsenal nearly doubled their lead late in the game. Madueke broke through, but Tzolakis tackled the winger and the ball deflected off Hull defender Nobel Mendy. Brooke Norton-Cuffy then completed the recovery by clearing the ball off the line.
Gunners extend advantage
The result marked Arsenal’s fifth straight Premier League win since their 3-0 loss to Brighton in September. That defeat remains the only occasion on which they have failed to collect points in the league this season.
Arsenal now hold a six-point cushion at the top, although that gap may narrow later on Saturday when their title challengers Manchester City meet Nottingham Forest at 17:30 GMT.
