Martin Ødegaard extends Arsenal lead at top with winner to break Hull resistance

As most Arsenal supporters would testify, patience is a virtue. They needed plenty during the 22-year wait to be crowned Premier League champions and Mikel Arteta’s side certainly had to retain their composure as they tried to break down a dogged Hull side. They had not beaten Ar

As most Arsenal supporters would testify, patience is a virtue. They needed plenty during the 22-year wait to be crowned Premier League champions and Mikel Arteta’s side certainly had to retain their composure as they tried to break down a dogged Hull side. They had not beaten Arsenal in 14 attempts since winning on their first visit to this ground in 2008.

But with 20 minutes still to play, there was still every chance that Sergej Jakirovic’s team could have pulled off one of the shocks of the season. Arsenal had already been denied a penalty just before half-time for a shirt pull on Kai Havertz in the box a week after escaping the same crime against Liverpool at Anfield in a moment of controversy that could have been the major talking point from this match. Martin Ødegaard had other ideas and the Arsenal captain’s fifth goal of the season was enough to ensure they will go into the international break with a healthy lead over Manchester City.

Enzo Maresca’s side are up next here in the league after the international break, with Arsenal having now matched their record tally of 27 points from their opening 10 games. The signs look ominous for the rest, even if they were made to work for the points throughout by their opponents. Continue reading...