Photo credit Getty Images/ Marc Atkins

By Paul Stevens

The game kicked off with an impeccably observed rendition of the last post, which was played in recognition of the United Kingdom’s annual remembrance weekend.

Once again, the footballing cliché came into play when looking to create an accurate evaluation of the match. This game was another tale of two halves.

Overall, my assessment of this fixture boils down to a tired Arsenal side lifting its level in the final twenty minutes and just about getting the job done.

The first half in particular was a very tough watch as the Gunners just couldn’t get themselves going. Oddly, the withdrawal of Declan Rice in the 63rd minute proved to be a catalyst for change.

I think it is interesting to note that For the first 30 minutes, Declan Rice was playing in more of a left eight role and Bruno Guimaraes occupied the number six position.

With Rice withdrawn, the Arsenal midfield was altered, which I think played a large part in the home side opening the scoring, as did the introduction of the lively Eberechi Eze.

The Gunners could easily have scored more, as the game stats show. The second-half onslaught dramatically improved Arsenal’s attacking numbers.

Key Moments

Early Hull corner headed wide in the opening minutes.

Konsa headed wide from a fine Madueke delivery moments later.

Raya forced into the first save of the match in the 19th minute.

Rice volley in the 28th minute that flew just wide.

Tzolis’s wasteful finish flew miles over the bar in the 38th minute.

Havertz failed to get his shot away quickly enough after a sensational Odegaard through ball and Hull cleared the danger.

There was a VAR penalty check after a shirt pull on Kai Havertz, which Arsenal would have been given, but Havertz was offside in the 44th minute. Havertz was caught offside for the fifteenth time this season which was more than Bukayo Saka was caught in the entirety of last season.

A fine Madueke cross found Rice, but the midfielder headed the effort straight at the Hull goalkeeper in the 46th minute.

Madueke’s big chance was blasted straight at the Hull goalkeeper in the 57th minute in one of the first times Arsenal played fast, fluid attacking play.

Eze shot over the crossbar in the 69th minute.

Noni Madueke shot and drew a fine save from the Hull goalkeeper. The keeper parried the shot and Martin Odegaard was first to react to guide the ball into the net, 1-0 to the Gunners! Arsenal’s captain scored his fifth of the season in all competitions.

Madueke was so unlucky to see an attempt cleared off the line as he attempted to go around the Hull goalkeeper in a one-v-one situation in the 87th minute.

 

Odegaard’s winner against Hull is the third time already this season that the captain has won Arsenal the match; First Napoli, then Chelsea and finally the latest win vs Hull.

A mention to Arsenal’s world-class goalkeeper. David Raya recorded his 7th clean sheet of the season.

Stat Focus

The first half statistics showed what a low-quality half of football it had been. Arsenal recorded 67% possession, but only created 0.35 XG (expected goals) while Hull created 0.3 in reply.

Arsenal led the shot count by eight-to-six and the shots on target with three-to-two. Hull led the corner count three-to-one, which highlights the complete lack of control from the home side.

Everything changed in the second half. Arsenal lifted the intensity and ball speed, which created many more dangerous moments as a direct result. The Gunners recorded 67% possession, the same as the first half, but created 0.73 XG while limiting Hull to 0.04.

The shot count highlights the area in which most of the second half was played; the Gunners recorded thirteen shots, conceding just one. The home side having seven shots on target and prevented a single one in reply.

Arsenal earned six corners, conceding just one. Once again highlighting the improvement in field tilt in the Gunners favour.

Noni Madueke was incredible in the match and continues to improve week on week and is our Star Player.

Star Player

Noni Madueke was the standout performer in the Hull match. Arsenal’s right winger won seven duels, had four shots, two on target and completed five successful dribbles. It was his shot that allowed Odegaard to open the scoring and the winger was desperately unlucky not to get on the scoresheet himself.

Noni Madueke, starting in his 100th Premier League match of his career, was the brightest of all the Arsenal players. The young winger arguably had his best game so far in an Arsenal shirt. Madueke was unlucky not to be called up by England for the upcoming internationals, but the two weeks’ rest and more work on the Arsenal training ground will be a massive positive for the Gunners and Madueke going forward.

A Look Ahead

Many of Arsenal’s key players now depart to join up with their respective countries as the international calendar takes president.

When Arsenal returns on November 21st, they face a tricky trip away to face Newcastle. In a span of just over four weeks Arsenal play;

Newcastle away,

Dortmund (UCL) home,

Manchester City home,

Brentford away,

Tottenham away,

Real Madrid (UCL) home,

Bournemouth home,

Manchester United home.

Eight enormous games in effectively thirty days.