Arsenal ground out a 1–0 win over Hull City at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday in Matchday 10 of the Premier League, ensuring they head into the international break top of the table.
Mikel Arteta’s side had to be patient against a Hull team who held firm throughout the first half and threatened David Raya’s goal, before Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard settled the contest after the break.
The winner came in the 72nd minute when Hull goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis saved Noni Madueke’s shot and the ball fell to Ødegaard, who turned in the rebound to secure three valuable points in Arsenal’s title defence.
There was controversy before half-time when VAR reviewed Nobel Mendy’s shirt pull on Kai Havertz inside the box, but Arsenal were denied a penalty because the German forward had been offside.
The Gunners moved to 27 points from nine wins and one defeat, matching the club’s best Premier League start after ten games, set in 2022–23, and recording a fifth straight league win since their defeat to Brighton.
Arsenal opened up a provisional six-point lead over closest challengers Manchester City, who face Nottingham Forest in the same round, and will stay top through the break regardless of the result for Enzo Maresca’s side.
Hull remained on 11 points and provisionally 13th after their third defeat to go with two wins and five draws, with their wait for a first victory since August continuing despite a performance that made life difficult for the defending champions.
A demanding run awaits Arsenal after the break, with a trip to Newcastle on 21 November followed by a Champions League home game against Borussia Dortmund on 24 November and a showdown with Manchester City at the Emirates on 29 November, when the Gunners could widen the gap on their closest rivals.
