Arsenal moved six points clear at the top of the Premier League table after securing a narrow 1-0 victory over Hull City at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
Captain Martin Odegaard scored the decisive goal in the 72nd minute to hand Mikel Arteta’s side all three points after a largely frustrating encounter against the visitors.
The Norwegian midfielder reacted quickest to a rebound after Hull goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis had parried Noni Madueke’s effort, slotting the ball into the net to break the deadlock.
Arsenal pushed for a second goal late in the game when Madueke found himself through on goal, but Tzolakis intervened.
The ball subsequently fell to Hull defender Nobel Mendy before Brooke Norton-Cuffy cleared the danger off the line.
The Gunners had earlier threatened through Declan Rice, whose first-half header was comfortably saved by Tzolakis, while Madueke also tested the goalkeeper with a low effort shortly after the restart.
Arsenal were also denied a penalty in the first half after Mendy pulled Kai Havertz’s shirt inside the box.
Although referee Farai Hallam was asked by the Video Assistant Referee to review the incident on the pitchside monitor, the decision remained unchanged because Havertz was in an offside position.
The victory was Arsenal’s fifth consecutive league win since their 3-0 defeat to Brighton in September, which remains their only dropped points in the league this season.
Arteta’s men have now recorded nine victories in 11 matches and extended their unbeaten home run in all competitions to 11 games.
However, their six-point advantage could be reduced if second-placed Manchester City defeat Nottingham Forest in their later fixture on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Hull remain without a league victory since August, having gone eight consecutive Premier League matches without a win.
Sergej Jakirovic’s side, who began their first Premier League campaign in 10 years with two victories, put up a spirited performance but could not prevent Arsenal from claiming maximum points.
The defeat leaves Hull four points above the relegation zone and extends their winless run against Arsenal to 15 meetings.
